We are pleased to welcome Alex Barrell as the latest Chartered Wealth Manager to join Raymond James, Oxford, reuniting him with the branch’s trio of existing wealth managers Chris Meecham, Hans Price, and Jeremy Harben, who all worked together earlier in their careers.
With over 30 years of experience under his belt, Alex is passionate about the stock market and often looks to take a contra-cyclical view to ensure he is making the best decisions for his clients. He joins Raymond James from Investec Wealth & Investment, having also previously worked at Brewin Dolphin and Citibank.
Alex was drawn to Raymond James for its systems, research resources and its easily understood offering to clients. The flat management structure of Raymond James equally made the business an attractive proposition.
Raymond James, Oxford opened in 2017 and serves the South and Southwest of England, with some clients also based in Scotland and the Channel Islands.
On joining Raymond James Oxford, Alex said: “I have known Chris, Hans and Jeremy throughout my career and their professionalism and investment skills have never ceased to impress me, so it’s great to be joining up with them once again. I have a huge amount of respect for my new colleagues, and they have always spoken highly of Raymond James, so I am very excited to finally become part of the team. Joining Raymond James will give me the support to concentrate on my clients and put their interests at the centre of every decision I make.”
Chris Meecham, Chartered Wealth Manager at the Raymond James, Oxford comments: “We have worked with Alex for many years in previous roles and welcome his considerable experience to the team. Alex has always been committed to developing a deep understanding of unique opportunities and how these can contribute to producing exceptional results for clients.”
Anthony Scott, Head of Business Development at Raymond James, adds: “It’s great to see the Oxford branch welcoming a trusted friend to their team. Alex’s expertise will be invaluable in strengthening Raymond James’ highly personalised services, founded on strong personal relationships both within the team and with clients.”
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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