In an industry better known for performance metrics than people metrics, consistency like this stands out.
Harbert Management Corporation (HMC) has once again been named one of the Best Places to Work in Money Management, marking its seventh consecutive year on the list. The recognition is part of Pensions & Investments’ annual employer survey, one of the most closely watched workplace culture benchmarks in the asset and investment management industry.
The honor places HMC among a select group of firms that have managed to sustain employee trust, engagement, and satisfaction over time—no small feat in a sector facing heightened competition for talent, increasing regulatory pressure, and evolving workforce expectations.
Why This Recognition Carries Weight
The Best Places to Work in Money Management program, now in its 14th year, is not a marketing-driven popularity contest. Run by Pensions & Investments in partnership with Workforce Research Group, the program uses a rigorous two-part evaluation process that heavily prioritizes employee feedback.
Only 20% of the score is based on company policies, practices, and demographics. The remaining 80% comes directly from employee surveys, measuring real-world experience inside the organization. In other words, firms don’t earn this recognition unless their employees say they deserve it.
That makes HMC’s seven-year streak especially notable—and increasingly rare.
Culture as a Long-Term Strategy
For more than three decades, HMC has positioned culture not as a side benefit, but as a core operating principle. The firm traces its success to founding values centered on entrepreneurship, integrity, and responsibility—not only to investors, but also to employees, partners, and the communities it serves.
As HMC has expanded its platform and investment capabilities, leadership has emphasized intentional growth: building systems, development pathways, and opportunities designed to support both current employees and the next generation of leaders.
That long-term view is increasingly relevant as money management firms compete for talent in an environment shaped by hybrid work, generational shifts, and rising expectations around transparency and purpose.
Leadership Perspective: Culture Drives Performance
Incoming CEO Travis Pritchett framed the recognition as a reflection of how deeply culture and performance are intertwined at HMC.
According to Pritchett, the firm’s achievements are built on disciplined analysis, transparency, and bold strategy—but sustained by people who are committed to those principles every day. He also emphasized the importance of attracting and developing exceptional talent within a collaborative, innovative environment.
That message aligns with a broader industry realization: in asset management, intellectual capital is the product. Firms that fail to invest in employee experience risk eroding the very foundation of their competitive advantage.
Industry Context: Why “Best Places to Work” Matters Now
The money management sector is in the midst of structural change. Fee pressure, consolidation, and the rise of alternative assets are reshaping firm economics. At the same time, younger professionals entering the industry are evaluating employers through a different lens—one that includes culture, growth opportunity, and values alongside compensation.
Against that backdrop, repeated workplace recognition sends a powerful signal to both current employees and prospective hires. It suggests stability, intentional leadership, and a willingness to evolve without losing cultural identity.
Julie Tatge, Editor-in-Chief of Pensions & Investments, underscored that point, noting that companies on the list demonstrate a sustained commitment to strong workplace cultures—and that commitment ultimately benefits employees, clients, and business outcomes alike.
How the Rankings Are Determined
The evaluation process behind the award reinforces its credibility:
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Company assessment (20%): workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems, and demographics
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Employee experience survey (80%): direct feedback on engagement, satisfaction, trust, and workplace culture
By weighting employee input so heavily, the program ensures that recognition reflects lived experience—not executive intent or employer branding.
For HMC, repeating that outcome seven years in a row suggests that its culture isn’t dependent on short-term initiatives or leadership cycles. It’s institutional.
The Bigger Picture
Workplace awards often come and go. Sustained recognition does not.
HMC’s seventh consecutive appearance on the Best Places to Work in Money Management list highlights a reality that many firms are still chasing: strong culture is built deliberately, reinforced consistently, and measured honestly.
In an industry where talent mobility is high and differentiation is increasingly subtle, that kind of consistency may be one of the most valuable assets a firm can have.
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