Headquarters: La Jolla, Calif.
AUM: $27 billion as of June 30
U.S. employees: 129
Years Won: 2023-2024
In their own words:
“2024 marks the golden jubilee of our founding. As we celebrate this milestone, we’re taking time to reflect on our journey and key events that shaped us. With a collective effort, every individual at our firm strives to fulfill our mission statement: Be an exceptional firm which provides superior investment advisory services in an atmosphere of accomplishment and enjoyment. At our core is an unwavering dedication to the fundamental value investment approach and prioritizing the needs of our clients above all else. Integrity is at the heart of our operations. We treat each other with respect and create an inclusive space where individuals from diverse backgrounds are seen, valued and given a voice in the conversation. Our culture encourages challenging conventional norms, embracing relentless innovation and supporting one another.”
Three cool things:
- Contests at Brandes revolve around cooking, costumes, cornhole and other challenges (not all beginning with “c”). Employees receive trophies, gift cards and other prizes. Trash talking is optional. Brandes employees have begun collecting favorite contest recipes in a Brandes cookbook.
- In addition to a 50% match of an employee’s 6% retirement plan contributions, Brandes makes an annual discretionary profit-sharing contribution of up to 15% of an associate’s calendar-year earnings.
- Lunch and learn topics give employees such practical advice as taking care of oneself after having a baby, financial planning for retirement and understanding menopause. Employees also get paid time off to participate in a Green Day in which they’re encouraged to “plant-it forward” and participate in an environmentally conscious activity, such as tree planting in a community park.
Employees say:
- “It’s like a family business, but a big company. When someone needs help, we all assist that person with their workload so they can attend to their personal needs. Different products are offered to clients, which requires us to learn new skills, and I enjoy that aspect of learning complicated new things all the time.”
- “The Brandes culture is exceptional — I feel valued and love my co-workers. Management is top quality. I love the familial environment. Brandes is a special place.”
- “Our employees are the best. Everyone is friendly, diverse in knowledge, background, experiences and willing to help each other. I once had a new employee tell me she was amazed that the sales team was so willing to share ideas and help her with questions because the firm she came from was ‘everyone looking out for themselves.’”