SEI Honors Founder Alfred P. West, Jr. as He Retires from Executive Chairman Role After 57 Years of Innovation
Rhea-AI Summary
SEI (NASDAQ: SEIC) announced that founder Alfred P. West, Jr. will step down as Executive Chairman and resign from the board effective Jan. 1, 2026, and will become Chairman Emeritus.
The Board appointed independent director Carl A. Guarino as Chairman effective Jan. 1, 2026. West founded SEI in 1968, served as CEO for 54 years, and led the firm into a global company that manages, advises, or administers approximately $1.8 trillion in assets with more than $2.1 billion in annual revenues.
CEO Ryan Hicke and incoming Chairman Guarino both praised West's strategic vision and signaled a planned, orderly leadership transition aimed at continuing SEI's innovation and client focus.
Positive
- Planned transition effective Jan. 1, 2026
- $1.8 trillion assets under management/advice
- $2.1 billion in annual revenues
- Founder named Chairman Emeritus to preserve institutional knowledge
Negative
- Founder and long-time leader stepping down from executive board role on Jan. 1, 2026
- Potential succession risk from end of 54-year CEO/founding leadership era
Board Appoints Independent Director Carl A. Guarino as Chairman as Part of Planned Transition
West founded SEI Investments in 1968 and served as CEO for 54 years, scaling the small
West, SEI Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board, said:
"Over 50 years ago, I founded SEI with the mission to use technology to transform the financial sector and create a dynamic, team-oriented work environment. In the decades since, I'm proud to say I have had the privilege of working with thousands of talented employees, clients, and partners, all of whom have helped make this ambitious dream a reality. I'm deeply grateful to and have full faith in Carl, Ryan, and the rest of the Board and leadership team as they work to build on this strong foundation and usher in a new era of innovation and success. I look forward to following their continued success and supporting SEI from the sidelines as its forever biggest fan."
Commenting on West's more than 50-year career leading and growing SEI, CEO Ryan Hicke said:
"Al is a true visionary and his passion for not only embracing change, but leading it, has been the foundation of SEI's success. From my first day as an SEI intern almost 30 years ago to now serving as CEO, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of Al's collaborative leadership, deep humility, and courage to think differently, and he will remain a close advisor and mentor to me. His values underpin everything we do here at SEI and have helped establish us as the global leader we are today. On behalf of the Board and all our team members at SEI, I want to thank Al for his lifelong dedication and leadership and wish him the best in his retirement.
"In addition, we are excited to welcome Carl to the role of Chairman. He is a proven leader in our industry, and I look forward to working closely together and benefiting from his guidance as we continue to transform SEI for the future."
Guarino, Independent Director and incoming Chairman of the Board, said:
"It's an honor to step into the role of Chairman and build on the legacy Al has created. I have tremendous respect for SEI's team, commitment to innovation, and trusted relationships with the clients we serve, having spent years as both an employee and director of our company. I look forward to continuing to work with Ryan and the rest of the team to deliver long-term value for our clients, employees, and shareholders."
About Carl A. Guarino
Carl Guarino joined the SEI Board as an independent director in 2014 and serves as chair of SEI's compensation and nominating committees. He brings nearly 40 years of executive leadership experience and industry expertise. He most recently served as CEO of WizeHive, Inc., a SaaS company that provides a platform for managing grants, scholarships, and employee giving solutions, from June 2017 until late 2024. From 2006 to 2014, he was CEO of Procurian Inc., a provider of procurement outsourcing services to Fortune 1000 firms. Prior to 2006, Guarino served as Executive Vice President and head of SEI's Investment Advisors segment.
About SEI®
SEI (NASDAQ:SEIC) is a leading global provider of financial technology, operations, and asset management services within the financial services industry. SEI tailors its solutions and services to help clients more effectively deploy their capital—whether that's money, time, or talent—so they can better serve their clients and achieve their growth objectives. As of Sept. 30, 2025, SEI manages, advises, or administers approximately
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SOURCE SEI Investments Company
FAQ
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