Onur Erzan will be the new CEO of AllianceBernstein following the departure of Seth Bernstein
29 SEPT, 2026
By Joanna Piwko from RankiaPro Europe
AllianceBernstein (AB) has today cleared its succession at the helm of the firm with the appointment of Onur Erzan, current president, as CEO, effective from April 1, 2027. Erzan will take over from Seth Bernstein, who will retire on March 31, 2027 after nearly a decade as CEO.
Bernstein will continue on the AB Board of Directors. The change comes at a time of strong growth for the manager, whose assets under management exceeded $919,000 million as of August 31, 2026.
A transition prepared from the presidency
Erzan assumed the presidency of AB in January 2026 and since then oversees Private Wealth Management, Global Private Alternatives and Global Asset Management Distribution, in addition to the firm's Strategy and Corporate Development functions.
He has also been part of the Equitable Holdings Management Committee, AB's parent company, since 2021. Following the closure of the announced merger between Equitable Holdings and Corebridge Financial, he will join the company's management team, led by CEO Marc Costantini.
Onur is an exceptional leader, with extensive experience in asset management and insurance. Since joining AB, he has helped define the firm's strategy, expand its capabilities and position the business for continued growth. At the same time, this transition is an opportunity to recognize Seth's extraordinary contributions over the past decade. He has led AB during a period of significant growth and has helped strengthen the alliance between Equitable and AB at a crucial time for our company. I thank Seth for his leadership and am pleased that he will continue to be part of the AB Board of Directors.
Mark Pearson, CEO of Equitable Holdings and member of the AllianceBernstein Board of Directors
Seth Bernstein's balance: diversification and nearly doubled assets
During his tenure, Bernstein has taken AB beyond its roots in active management of listed markets towards a diversified global manager, with scale businesses in public markets, private alternatives, private wealth management, asset management for insurers and solutions for retirement.
In parallel, it has driven structural improvements in profitability with the relocation of the headquarters to Nashville, the creation of AB India, and the conversion of Bernstein Research into a joint venture with Société Générale. During this period, AB's assets under management have almost doubled to exceed 919,000 million dollars.
It has been the privilege of my life to lead this extraordinary firm. Over the last decade, we have expanded our reach, strengthened our distribution, and developed enduring growth engines that allow us to better serve our clients worldwide. I am extremely pleased that Onur will take the reins and lead AB in this new stage, as he has played a key role in our strategy and has led much of its execution. He embodies many of the values that, in my opinion, distinguish AB's success: putting our clients' interests first, applying a rigorous intellectual process to the decisions we make, and demanding excellence in everything we do. I have full confidence in Onur's leadership and in the opportunities that present themselves for this firm.
Seth Bernstein, CEO of AllianceBernstein
Erzan bets on integrated solutions for a transforming sector
Since his arrival at AB in 2021, Erzan has defined and executed the firm's global distribution strategy and has driven its expansion into new areas: the launch of active management ETFs, an integrated asset management division for insurers, and the expansion of private credit and retirement income solutions.
As head of Bernstein Private Wealth Management, he has strengthened the offering for ultra-high net worth individuals, global families, and family offices, and has strengthened partnerships with banking entities and international custodians. He previously worked for 20 years at McKinsey & Company, where he was a senior partner and co-led the Wealth & Asset Management practice.
It is an honor to lead AB at such a pivotal moment in our history. For nearly six decades, AB has distinguished itself by excellence in investment, intellectual rigor, and a tirelessly customer-focused collaborative culture. In a context where the asset and wealth management sector is undergoing rapid transformation (with clients seeking closer relationships, broader capabilities, and more integrated solutions), AB is uniquely positioned to provide the knowledge, capabilities, and collaboration they need to achieve differentiated results. I look forward to writing the next chapter of AB's history alongside our talented and committed colleagues around the world.
Onur Erzan, president of AllianceBernstein
