The US west coast independent wealth management and family office firm Kochis Fitz Quintile is rebranding as Aspiriant. The company was formed on 1 January 2008 when San Francisco-based Kochis Fitz merged with Los Angeles-based Quintile and currently has about $5 billion in assets under management.

Aspiriant’s average client in Los Angeles has about $50 million in liquid assets. The firm has said it is planning to expand its operations in three major metropolitan areas, as yet unspecified.

Rob Francais, chief operating officer of Aspiriant in Los Angeles, said: “The wealth management segment of the financial services industry is the fastest growing segment and Aspiriant is well positioned to capture the opportunities on behalf of its clients.” Mr Francais is due to take over as chief executive in 2009.