On the Move

➜ Newport Group will merge with Ascensus. The acquisition will expand the solutions and expertise that Ascensus provides to its clients and adviser partners.

➜ Jeff Hutson has returned to Relational Gravity as a principal consultant, after 15 years as chief communication officer at the Indiana Public Retirement System.

➜ The Wagner Law Group announced that attorney Zachary Meth has joined its Los Angeles office as an associate.

➜ Lockton will team up with Creative Planning. The new partnership will be named Lockton Retirement Services, an Offering of Creative Planning.

➜ Former Aon executive Bill Ryan has joined NEPC LLC as a partner and head of defined contribution solutions, helping to enhance plan design.

➜ T. Rowe Price Group Inc. has made an agreement to purchase alternative credit manager Oak Hill Advisors (OHA).

➜ Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) has appointed Jim Whittington as head of responsible investment. He replaces  Joe Chi, who will retire at the end of the year. Additionally, Lacey Huebel was named North American head of responsible investment.

➜ TIAA has appointed Stephen Tisdalle to the newly created role of chief brand and demand generation officer. He will be responsible for all marketing for TIAA’s institutional, wealth adviser and consumer channels.

➜ HealthEquity Inc., a health savings account non-bank custodian, has completed its acquisition of Further, a provider of HSA and consumer-directed benefit administration services and an HSA custodian.

➜ Clarion Partners, a real estate investment manager, has hired Karen Mahrous as a senior vice president and head of environmental, social and governance.

➜ Jack Woolnough has joined The Standard as regional sales director for the central region of the company’s retirement plans division.