At Raymond James, we don’t just value inclusion – we celebrate it. That’s why we’re proud to have a powerful network championing those who identify as LGBTQ+. We welcome professionals with a demonstrated commitment to fiercely and honestly serving the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you’re a like-minded wealth manager, associate, advocate or ally, Raymond James invites you to thrive as your most authentic self, both personally and professionally.
The world that we live and work in is changing; there is more diversity in our workplace and in the communities where we live. At Raymond James, we believe that our wealth manager and associate communities should be as unique as the clients we serve.
To ensure that intergenerational wealth planning is as effective as it can be for our clients and their families, wealth managers and associates must have a clear understanding of the diverse communities we serve and their unique planning needs.
We strive to understand and empathise with those around us, and to give the best support that we can for our clients and each other.
Our parent company, Raymond James Financial made its first commitment to the LGBTQ+ community in June 2020 with the official launch of the Pride Financial Advisors Network. With a core focus on meeting the financial planning needs of the LGBTQ+ community, the network’s goal is to provide a safe space for clients, wealth managers, financial planners and allies to align with our holistic Diversity and Inclusion Networks.
We are pleased to have Susie Bewell, Chartered Wealth Manager and Branch Principal at Raymond James, Hitchin, representing our UK wealth manager community. Each member of the council is a high-performing, highly recognised professional within the firm whose own communities have benefited from their diligence and expertise. In addition to their duties setting the direction of the Pride Financial Advisors Network and recruiting inclusion-minded wealth managers to the cause, they are generous mentors and practice builders who offer their years of experience and perspectives to help others succeed.
Council members are focused on making the financial services industry more representative and thoughtful about issues relevant to LGBTQ+ professionals and clients. This includes helping Raymond James maintain its culture of inclusivity, diversity and opportunity by acting as advocates and experts.
Council members are eager to hear from LGBTQ+ advisors and allies to help build opportunity throughout the greater community. Contact a member of the council to start the conversation. If you would prefer the conversation to remain confidential, the members of the council we be able to support you.
Annually we host our Business of Pride Symposium in the US, and it provides the opportunity to learn about topics that resonate with the LGBTQ+ community. The content is available virtually on the Raymond James Portal.
How can you get involved with the Pride Financial Advisors Network? Connect with the Network or reach out to Susie or any of her fellow Council Members.
During Pride month, we arrange events that bring our associates together. In the past, these have included an evening where LGBTQ+ community members and allies could share their personal Pride journeys over food and drink at our UK headquarters. We also invited colleagues to join us at Pride in London, the annual parade and celebration.
Throughout the rest of the year, Head Office associates can access regular educational webinars about LGBTQ+ history, transgender and non-binary people, International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), and more, thanks to our partnership with LGBT Great.
Black MondayOn 19 October 1987, the stock markets experienced a dramatic plunge that prompted many firms to shut down their trading desks and turn off their phones to minimize internal losses. Raymond James refused to do the same. Our desks stayed open to help meet clients’ needs, resulting in our first and only unprofitable quarter since the firm went public in 1983. |
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Who was Raymond James?The Raymond in our name is actually from Edward Raymond, owner of a 15-employee mutual fund sales group, Raymond and Associates, along Florida’s west coast. He sold his company to Bob James on 15 July 1964, on condition that the surviving firm be called Raymond, James & Associates. Three days after the sale, Ed Raymond was involved in a near-fatal automobile accident and never joined the firm. Nonetheless, even after Raymond had passed away, Bob James insisted that his name remain on the door – ahead of James’ own. That was a promise he made to Ed Raymond three days before the accident, and Bob James was a man who kept his promises. |
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Bear Market of 1974The severe bear market of 1974 threatened the existence of Raymond James, which was bleeding capital by the day. Tom James, his father and other leaders took extreme measures to keep the firm afloat, slashing costs, foregoing paychecks and even attempting to sell the firm for just enough capital to protect client assets and retain as many associates as possible. The story could have ended very differently if not for a sharp upturn and continued rebound in the stock markets late in the year. |
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Taking Raymond James PublicWhen consideration was being given to taking Raymond James public, Tom James penned a letter to shareholders (largely employees at the time). ” … the public offering should be considered as a statement of our independence. While this is a psychological rather than an economic rationale, it is nonetheless very important. We have asserted for some time that we are not interested in becoming a small part of a very large corporation. That assertion results mainly from the inclinations of management rather than the economic benefits associated with either alternative. The public stock offering affords us the opportunity to enjoy a little bit of the best of both worlds. While shareholders will be given liquidity at fair market value, we will still have the ability to control our own destiny.” After 40+ years of Tom’s leadership, upon becoming CEO, Paul Reilly was often questioned about whether the company might ultimately surrender its cherished independence and be acquired by some larger entity. His response: “Not while I’m around.” It’s a theme that continues today. |
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