Brad Clark, CFP®, CIM®, Financial Advisor, Raymond James, Victoria, B.C.
- NATALIE NOBLE
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
Brad Clark
“We’ve built a practice designed to support families – not just today, but for generations to come.”
At the centre of every family, there’s a tie between wealth, health, day-to-day life, and longer-term generational success. At Ely Clark & Associates Wealth Management of Raymond James, conversations with this understanding in mind are central to everything their team does for the client families the team guides. They understand the impacts of their work and strategy go far beyond investment performance. After all, their client families are counting on a deep team of trusted Advisors who support them through life’s most important decisions in thoughtful ways that instill confidence at each step, be it the sale of a business, retirement, supporting children and grandchildren, managing an inheritance, or caring for aging parents.
“What excites me most today isn’t where we’ve come from. It’s what we’ve built together, and that’s been exhilarating to see come together,” says Brad Clark, CFP®, CIM®. “We’ve developed a team that steers clients through some of the most important decisions of their lives. And, we’ve built a practice designed to support families – not just today, but for generations to come.”
Drawn to the West Coast lifestyle and its philanthropic spirit, Brad moved from Toronto to the community he calls home in Victoria, B.C., in 2007. It’s a decision that proved transformative personally and professionally for Brad and his family.
It also builds upon his early years, where Brad had a front-row seat to the financial services industry through his father, who worked in management for several financial services firms. While that experience sparked an early interest in wealth management, Brad was determined to map out his own path and gain experience across every aspect of the industry.
His early career on Bay Street exposed him to some of Canada’s most seasoned financial professionals. From operations and administration to client-facing sales and advisory roles, each experience shaped the Advisor he would become. “I realized quickly that my greatest value wasn’t created on a trading desk or in a back office,” he says. “It was created working directly with people, understanding their goals, helping them navigate challenges, and building confidence in their future.”
That belief continues to guide him today. When Brad joined Raymond James in 2011, he was challenged to rebuild and strengthen his client relationships while growing his own practice. The experience reinforced his belief in the necessary foundations of successful wealth management. “You learn what matters during those moments,” he says. “It’s trust, communication, and doing what’s right for the client, especially when things are uncertain.”
Today, Ely Clark & Associates celebrates 15 years of growth and evolution. Yet Brad believes one of the practice’s greatest accomplishments isn’t measured by assets under management or business growth, it’s the team built along the way.
Building a Team, Not Just a Business
When Brad joined forces with partner Mark Ely, they shared a common vision. They wanted to build a practice where long-term relationships mattered more than short-term transactions. They envisioned and designed a practice where every client is given highly personalized advice backed with meticulous evaluation and expertise. Most importantly, they worked to create a business designed to endure over generations. Together with Peter Darling (since retired), they established the partnership that would grow into today’s Ely Clark & Associates Wealth Management. “From the beginning, we believed clients would be best served by a hands-on team approach,” says Brad. “Financial lives are becoming increasingly complex. Clients deserve the benefit of multiple perspectives, specialized expertise, and continuity over time.”
That philosophy continues to shape the firm’s growth. Mark, Senior Wealth Advisor, brings more than 30 years experience after building Ely & Associates Wealth Management and cultivating long term relationships with clients. Like Brad, he was introduced to the profession at an early age through family connections to the financial services industry, forming a mutual philosophy that prioritizes trust and relationships over numbers. After nearly a decade with an independent firm, following earlier experience with a bank-owned investment firm, Mark’s leadership brings the team extensive experience across the range of wealth management services along with that people-first connection. Today, he and the team help clients seize opportunity while protecting them through the inevitable challenges people incur as life happens.
“In real life, things are constantly changing. It’s imperative we stay in close contact with clients as those changes occur and goals shift. By doing this, we stay proactive versus reactive as things arise,” says Mark. “My client relationships have been long-lasting because we put their specific needs above everything else. Our job is to provide confidence and security when it comes to their financial future, and that only happens when you have a strong team supporting clients every step of the way. It has been my greatest honor to get to know our clients and help them achieve their goals and dreams.”
That focus on relationships extends across the team. Lindsay Pepper, with the practice since 2015, brings over 23 years’ experience from a major Canadian financial institution. She plays a central role in ensuring the client experience remains seamless and highly personal. “What I’ve loved most about working here has been the more intimate, boutique experience we’ve created,” says Lindsay. “We get to know our clients beyond their accounts. We know their families, their goals, and often the major milestones happening in their lives. That’s what makes this work meaningful.”
In 2018, the team welcomed Advisor Matthew Powell, CFP®, CIM®, following the transition of a retiring advisor’s practice. Now with 15 years of industry experience, Matthew is integral to the team’s planning and advisory work, helping clients navigate increasingly complex financial decisions while building lasting relationships along the way. “Matthew brought strong planning expertise and an ability to build meaningful client relationships,” says Brad. “He’s become an important part of how we serve families today and how we ensure continuity for them over the long term.”
Most recently, the team welcomed University of Victoria student David Richard for a four-month summer internship while he completes his Bachelor of Commerce degree. A member of Canada’s National Senior Men’s Rugby Team for the past six years, David brings that energy, discipline, and a team-first mindset to the practice while he’s gaining firsthand experience in the wealth management industry. “David has been a great addition to the team,” says Brad. “He brings enthusiasm, professionalism, and a strong willingness to learn.”
Building that continuity for the people Ely Clark & Associates advise is intentional. The team works with many families across multiple generations, often guiding parents, adult children, and grandchildren through various stages of life. Just as clients plan decades into the future, Brad and his team believe advisory relationships should be built with the same long-term mindset. “We’re creating something that lasts,” he says. “We’ve deliberately built depth within our team so the client experience remains consistent and uninterrupted for years to come. As we grow with families, our understanding of their history, dynamics, and legacy goals deepens. That’s where we can provide our greatest value.”
Planning for Families, Not Just Portfolios
Ask any member of the team what differentiates Ely Clark & Associates, and the conversation quickly turns away from investments to relationships. “Everything starts with a plan,” says Brad. “But it’s about understanding what’s important to someone, their family, and those they care about, and then building around that in a way that’s thoughtful, realistic, and adaptable as life happens.”
Clients often come to the team during periods of transition. Perhaps they’re preparing for retirement, selling a business, managing an inheritance, caring for aging parents, or helping their children establish financial independence. As life has it, many typically navigate several of these challenges at once. During these times, advisors become trusted and logical sounding boards who help people see through the inevitable emotion and fear. “There’s an element of this work that’s akin to being a counsellor,” says Brad. “Clients trust us with important decisions, not just financially, but deciding things that impact their lives and their futures. We take that responsibility seriously.”
That planning-first philosophy extends to the team’s investment approach as well. Operating on a non-discretionary platform means communication is central to every client relationship. Ely Clark & Associates work together to ensure clients remain informed, involved, and engaged throughout the decision-making process. “Because we operate on a non-discretionary platform, communication isn’t optional; it’s essential,” says Brad. “Those regular conversations help ensure every decision remains aligned with the client’s goals as their life evolves.”
Helping Clients Navigate Increasing Complexity
As clients’ financial lives have grown more complex, so too has the practice. One area of increasing demand involves cross-border planning. Brad is seeing more clients who now own property in the United States, maintain investments across jurisdictions, spend time living in both countries, and have family members with international ties. Navigating those issues requires specialized expertise. Recognizing that trend, Brad saw the value in obtaining U.S. cross-border licensing. “More and more clients I meet with have connections on both sides of the border – properties, investments, business interests, and family relationships,” he says. “These folks need guidance that accounts for both Canadian and U.S. regulations, taxation, and planning opportunities. I’m happy to stay on top of all of this, so they don’t have to worry about it at the end of their busy days.”
Leading with Community Spirit
Beyond their work with clients, Ely Clark & Associates is committed to supporting the communities they love and call home. It’s clearly more than just talking about it. Mark has long been involved with organizations including Lifetime Networks, The Cridge Centre for the Family, and Castaway Wanderers Rugby Club. Brad’s served on the boards of the Victoria Foundation and Victoria Cool Aid Society. Meanwhile, Matthew volunteers as President of the Greater Victoria Velodrome Association. As a team, Ely Clark & Associates also supports Rainbow Kitchen, an organization that provides meals and community support services throughout Greater Victoria. All of this community involvement reflects the values that guide their work with clients. It’s about building strong relationships, creating lasting impact, and helping people thrive.
Making time for so much continuous growth in all pursuits, Brad measures success well beyond portfolio returns. It’s measured by trust; by the confidence clients feel when navigating major life decisions; and, by relationships that strengthen over decades and generations. “If clients feel confident making important decisions, if families are better prepared for the future, and if we’ve helped make their lives a little easier along the way, we’ve done our job,” he says. “Because ultimately, wealth goes beyond money. It’s about creating opportunities, supporting the people you care about, preserving what matters most, and building a legacy that endures.”
For Ely Clark & Associates Wealth Management, helping families do exactly that remains the mission – today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.
Brad Clark, CFP® CIM®
Financial Advisor | Cross Border Specialist
ELY CLARK & ASSOCIATES WEALTH MANAGEMENT | RAYMOND JAMES LTD
1000 - 1175 Douglas St, Victoria, BC | V8W 2E1
Phone: 250-405-2410
Natalie Noble’s love of writing stems from her passion for hearing and sharing people’s stories. Over the years, she has written for various business, real estate, and agriculture publications. At the heart of her work is a desire to continuously learn and connect.