Raymond James is today announcing the appointment of Benjamin Smith as a new Chartered Financial Planner in the Exeter branch. Benjamin will be reuniting with Branch Principal Martin Glover, who mentored Benjamin in the early stages of his finance career.
Benjamin will provide financial advice on both an advisory and a discretionary basis, supporting clients with pensions, investments, estate and retirement planning needs. He will also sit on the branch’s Investment Committee, supporting the development of the branch’s sustainable and environmentally focused (ESG) portfolios.
Benjamin began his career in Business Information Systems, before moving into the Finance sector. He now has over a decade’s experience working across the industry, within both major financial institutions as well as boutique advisory firms.
Raymond James Exeter serves clients throughout the South and Southwest, as well as nationally, and is run by branch principals Martin Glover, Duncan Ratley, and Clive Down.
On joining Raymond James Exeter, Benjamin said: “Martin Glover was something of a mentor to me early in my career, and I have a huge amount of respect for his approach to wealth management. I am delighted to be working with him again; now together with Duncan Ratley and the team at Raymond James, Exeter. The firm’s ethos on putting clients first resonates strongly with my commitment to helping clients as their trusted adviser.
Martin Glover, Branch Principal, said: “I have known Benjamin for a number of years and know him to be extremely passionate about his work, and dedicated to, his clients. His focus on client experience chimes perfectly with the values of Raymond James, and his vision for helping clients invest in a way that positively contributes to wider society is very much in demand. I have no doubt he will be a huge asset to the team.”
Anthony Scott, Head of Business Development for Raymond James Investment Services, adds: “Raymond James Exeter has grown significantly over the last 8 years and the addition of Benjamin to an already impressive team promises to enhance the strength of their offering to their clients and help further their growth ambitions.”
If you would like to find out more information about how Raymond James supports wealth managers in opening and running their own independent wealth management branches, please click here.
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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