Evaluation of headquarters options is consistent with multi-year
transformation, growth strategy
OVERLAND PARK, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Waddell
& Reed Financial, Inc. (NYSE: WDR) announced today it has
undertaken a comprehensive review of its future real estate needs and is
currently evaluating options for a new corporate headquarters. After
reviewing numerous locations across the Kansas City metro area, the
company is now considering a number of potential sites in Missouri.
“Over the past two years we have taken very deliberate and necessary
steps to strengthen the foundation of our business,” said Phil Sanders,
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Waddell & Reed
Financial, Inc. “With the progress we have made over the last two years,
we are now in a position to look at the next phase of our business
transformation focused both on organic and inorganic growth. As we look
to the future, we must have a workplace environment that meets the needs
of the workforce of tomorrow, enabling us to attract and retain top
talent.”
The firm anticipates an update on the process later this year.
“We have a responsibility to a variety of constituents, including
employees, clients, advisors and shareholders, to take the necessary
steps to enable the long-term success of our company,” added Sanders.
“At this point, the evaluation of site options is ongoing and no
specific location has been selected. We are committed to keeping our
employees and the community informed as the process continues to unfold
in the coming months.”
About Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.
Through its subsidiaries, Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. has provided
investment management and wealth management services to clients
throughout the United States since 1937. Today, we distribute our
investment products through the unaffiliated channel under the IVY
INVESTMENTS brand (encompassing broker/dealer, retirement, and
registered investment advisors), our wealth management channel (through
independent financial advisors), and our institutional channel
(including defined benefit plans, pension plans, endowments and
subadvisory relationships). For more information, visit ir.waddell.com.
Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. has approximately 1,000 employees in the
Kansas City metro area. The company was founded in 1937 in Kansas City,
MO, with its original headquarters at 9th Street and Baltimore. It moved
to Crown Center in the 1970s and then to its current Overland Park
campus in 1990.
IVY INVESTMENTS℠ refers to the investment management and investment
advisory services offered by Ivy Investment Management Company, the
financial services offered by Ivy Distributors, Inc., a FINRA member
broker dealer and the distributor of the IVY FUNDS® mutual
funds and IVY VARIABLE INSURANCE PORTFOLIOS®, and the
financial services offered by their affiliates.
Contacts
Roger Hoadley
VP, Communications
[email protected]
