By Rob Mancera, Director, Blacktower Financial Management
When you are part of a business for long enough, its story becomes intertwined with your own. Having joined Blacktower in 2010, I have had the privilege of witnessing first-hand a defining chapter in a much longer journey—one that now spans four decades.
From humble beginnings to a global presence, Blacktower’s story is one of resilience and vision—and I am proud to have played a part in that journey. What began as a focused advisory firm has grown into an international organisation supporting clients across borders, jurisdictions and generations. That growth has never been accidental; it has been shaped by a willingness to adapt, invest in people, and stay true to the principles that underpin trusted financial advice.
A Business Built on People
While scale, reach and capability matter, the true strength of Blacktower has always been its people.
The most inspiring thing is being able to add value to talented individuals—to watch them thrive and grow. Over the years, I’ve seen advisers, support teams and leaders develop not just professionally, but personally. We are fortunate to have a long-standing team, many of whom have grown alongside the business, and who all share our values and vision.
In an industry that can sometimes feel transactional, Blacktower has consistently prioritised relationships—internally as well as with clients. That culture of collaboration and mutual respect is not something that happens by chance; it is nurtured, protected and led from the top.
Embracing Change, Not Resisting It
The financial world today bears little resemblance to the one that existed when Blacktower was founded—or even when I joined in 2010. Regulation, technology, global mobility and client expectations have all changed dramatically.
Throughout four decades, the financial world has consistently evolved, and Blacktower has embraced every challenge as an opportunity to lead and maintain its relevance amongst our peers. Rather than viewing change as a threat, the firm has approached it as a catalyst for improvement—strengthening governance, enhancing advice frameworks, and expanding expertise to meet the increasingly complex needs of international clients.
This mindset has allowed Blacktower to stay ahead of the curve, particularly in the cross-border advice space, where experience, regulatory understanding and long-term thinking are essential.
Leadership That Sets the Tone
No reflection on Blacktower’s journey would be complete without acknowledging the leadership that has guided it.
Working alongside John Westwood all of these years has added an immense amount of value to who I am today. His clarity of vision, consistency of values and long-term approach have shaped not only the business, but the people within it. Alongside my colleagues at Board level, and with the support of a highly capable Senior Management team, we have collectively helped to build a business we can all be very proud of.
Strong leadership creates alignment, and alignment creates trust—both internally and externally. That trust is the foundation upon which everything else is built.
Looking Ahead with Confidence
Anniversaries naturally invite reflection, but they are equally about looking forward.
What excites me most is that our commitment to integrity and client care remains as strong today as it was on day one. Our foundations remain robust, providing us with solid ground to fuel a future full of possibilities.
As Blacktower enters its next chapter, the challenges will continue to evolve—but so will the opportunities. With a strong culture, experienced leadership, and a continued focus on principled client care, the firm is focused on maintaining strong foundations to navigate, the decades ahead.
For me personally, it has been a privilege to be part of this journey so far & I would also like to add personal thank you to each and every member of the team who have all helped shape this company and added value throughout. And as we celebrate 40 years of Blacktower, I look forward to contributing to what comes next—building on a legacy defined not just by longevity, but by purpose.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Any forward-looking statements are opinions and subject to change based on market or regulatory developments.
This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice, investment recommendations or investment research. You should seek advice from a professional adviser before embarking on any financial planning activity. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this communication is correct, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions.