By Amit Chowdhry Jan 22, 2026

Merchant has appointed Clayton Chandler as chief data officer, tasking him with leading the firm’s enterprise data and artificial intelligence strategy as it expands its network of partner firms. Based in New York, Merchant said Chandler will focus on strengthening how the firm uses data as a strategic asset across its ecosystem, with an emphasis on practical applications that streamline operations, improve efficiency and generate actionable insights.

Tim Bello, Merchant’s co-founder and managing partner, said the hire reflects continued investment in senior talent as the firm scales. Bello said Merchant’s goal is to help independent firms grow “while staying true to their entrepreneurial roots,” adding that the firm is pursuing a “thoughtful, practical approach” to data and AI intended to simplify complexity and enhance decision-making.

Chandler joins Merchant from Osaic, where he served as chief data and analytics officer and led the firm’s data strategy during a period of significant growth. Merchant said that since joining Osaic in 2021, Chandler helped support the organization’s evolution into one of the world’s largest independent broker-dealers, with more than $800 billion in assets and over 10,000 independent advisors.

Earlier, Chandler held senior leadership roles at Credit Suisse, including chief data scientist and chief information security officer, leading global teams spanning analytics and cybersecurity. He also served in multiple senior positions at the U.S. National Security Agency, including technical director of high-performance data analytics, according to the announcement.

Merchant is a private partnership that provides life cycle growth capital and strategic guidance to independent financial services companies, with a focus on wealth and asset management. The firm said its ecosystem includes more than 125 partner firms and RIA practices across six countries, collectively overseeing more than $300 billion in assets.

KEY QUOTE:

“Merchant continues to invest in top-tier talent, reflecting both the firm’s continued growth and the opportunity ahead. Clayton’s appointment underscores our focus on building modern capabilities that help independent firms grow while staying true to their entrepreneurial roots. By taking a thoughtful, practical approach to data and AI, Merchant aims to simplify complexity, improve efficiency, and deliver actionable insights.”

Tim Bello, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Merchant