Leading global private markets asset manager HarbourVest Partners announced a major leadership addition today. The firm hired industry veteran Brian Taranto as its new Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer. Notably, he will lead operations for the newly created Global Private Wealth division. This strategic executive appointment underscores HarbourVest’s ongoing corporate commitment. They continue to invest heavily in scaling their global retail investment business.
Wealth portfolios increasingly rely on alternative private assets to boost long-term performance. Consequently, HarbourVest continues to dedicate capital to technology, leadership, and operational infrastructure. These investments directly help wealth intermediaries and individual investors access international private markets.
Taranto will operate directly from the company’s Boston headquarters. He will partner closely with Venu Krishnamurthy, the Head of Global Private Wealth. Together, they will aggressively expand the firm’s presence in the personal investment sector.
As a key leadership team member, Taranto will oversee critical corporate initiatives. Specifically, his responsibilities include client operations, financial planning, technology integrations, and risk management.
“Serving the wealth market is one of HarbourVest’s most important long-term growth priorities, and Brian’s appointment reflects our commitment to building a platform that can serve investors at scale for decades to come,” said Krishnamurthy. “Brian brings a rare combination of distribution, operating, and transformation leadership experience. He has helped build and scale businesses through periods of significant growth and change, and his expertise will be invaluable as we continue to expand globally.”
Comprehensive Executive Experience and Strategic Capabilities
Taranto brings decades of operational leadership to HarbourVest. Most recently, he worked at Morgan Stanley Investment Management. He served as Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer for the U.S. Intermediary Distribution business.
During his time there, he successfully guided major technology and data infrastructure initiatives. He also played an instrumental role in integrating Eaton Vance into Morgan Stanley’s asset management business.
Previously, Taranto spent more than two decades at Eaton Vance. He held several critical senior leadership positions there. His responsibilities spanned business transformation, corporate operations, and distribution strategy.
“As demand for private market access continues to accelerate, firms with operating platforms that can deliver scale, consistency, and exceptional client service will set themselves apart,” said Taranto. “HarbourVest has built a differentiated global platform and is well positioned for our next phase of growth. I’m excited to help strengthen the capabilities that will support that journey.”
Today, HarbourVest’s specialized Global Private Wealth platform serves private banks, financial advisors, and family offices. It also supports wealth management firms looking for direct access to global private markets. Under Taranto’s operational guidance, partners can access private equity primaries, co-investments, and secondaries. The platform also offers infrastructure, real assets, and private credit solutions.
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Source: Businesswire
