Christopher Riley
Founder & Chairman, Cutwater Advisory Partners · Best Selling Author
Christopher is a licensed investment banker who studied at the London School of Economics and Harvard Business School. After 35 years as an entrepreneur — owning, running, buying, and selling businesses — his philosophy is clear: it is all about the people. With a Masters in Organizational Psychology and a proprietary behavioral motivation system, Chris creates Win-Win-Win business transactions so the buyer, the seller, and all individuals in between not only benefit financially, but also leave a legacy behind that they are proud of.
Christopher is 100% focused on Legacy. He often asks this question during seminars or interviews, "What is the one thing that every individual only has one of, that once it is identified it can't be changed? Financial advisors have a very difficult time letting go of their client base. Chris and the exceptional Cutwater Wealth Management team are passionate about helping financial advisors transition their practice the Slow Way...the Smooth Way. This is how Chris handles the Optimum Value Exits™ with his companies, and this is how all financial advisors should handle their transition.
40+
Years in business, investment banking & entrepreneurship
LSE + HBS
London School of Economics & Harvard Business School
M.S.
Masters in Organizational Psychology
#1
Amazon Best Seller — Financial Services, May 2026
The Full Story
Read Christopher's Full Biography ↓
EDUCATION
Studied at the London School of Economics and Harvard Business School. Holds a Masters degree in Organizational Psychology.
35+ YEARS ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Owned, ran, bought, and sold businesses across multiple industries. His philosophy from decades of experience: it is all about the people.
INVESTMENT BANKING
Licensed investment banker (Series 79). Founded Cutwater Capital Advisors — the investment banking arm coordinating business sales and mergers at the Optimum Exit Value™.
ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
Developed a proprietary behavioral motivation system creating Win-Win-Win transactions. Ensures buyers, sellers, and all stakeholders not only benefit financially but leave a legacy they are proud of.
PHILANTHROPY
Deeply committed to philanthropic impact. Works with business owners and families to focus post-sale resources — in most cases with tax-free dollars — on the philanthropic causes they care about most.
THE ADVISOR'S LEGACY — 2026
Published The Advisor's Legacy: Crafting a Win-Win-Win Transition for Your Financial Practice — hitting Amazon Best Seller status in Financial Services on its first day, May 8, 2026.
Our Mission
Helping Business Owners Exit at the Value They Deserve
"Now, in conjunction with the multiple partners in the Cutwater Wealth Management division, we are helping business owners exit their businesses at the value that they deserve. Through the Slow is Smooth…and Smooth is Fast philosophy, we are working with financial advisors years prior to the exit to maximize the financial impact with estate and income tax strategies, retirement and health care resources, and philanthropic strategies that the business owner and families focus on after the sale — in most cases with tax-free dollars."
Three Ways We Create Lasting Value
Slow is Smooth...and Smooth is Fast
Financial Advisors
Business Owners
Families & Legacy