Cynthia’s responsibilities include Relationship Management, Systems Training, Wealth Manager Support, Client Support and Marketing. She and her colleagues are the principal contacts for the wealth management practices Raymond James Investment Services supports in the UK. In addition, her team is responsible for all corporate marketing and communications activities.
Born in Georgia, USA, Cynthia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Auburn University. Cynthia has also completed executive education programmes at the University of Cambridge, Judge Business School (General Management), Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management (Business Marketing Strategy) and INSEAD (Competitive Strategy), to complement her more than 25 years’ experience in sales, relationship management and marketing roles in the financial services industry.
Cynthia also holds the General Securities and Derivatives Representative qualification as well as the Financial Planning Certificate. She is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI). Cynthia is also a Trustee for the CISI Educational Trust and a member of the PIMFA Talent, Inclusion & Diversity Strategic Committee.
Cynthia started her career at First Atlanta Bank, which was subsequently purchased by Wachovia, where she completed the Management Associate Training Program receiving accreditation in both credit analysis and non-credit services. She advanced through several positions, moving to Wachovia’s New York office where she became Vice President, Corporate Banking Division. She then joined Chase Manhattan in New York where she became Vice President and Sales Manager in the Cash Management Division. Following a career break to be a full-time mother, Cynthia joined Citibank International in London where she developed investment and banking business with private expatriate clients.
Cynthia joined Raymond James Investment Services in 2002 as Client Relationship Manager, assumed the role of Head of Business Support in 2003 and was appointed Director of Business Support in 2005. Her department was expanded in 2006 to include the marketing function at which point Cynthia became Director of Relationship Management and Business Support. Cynthia chairs the Raymond James Pricing Committee and is Executive Sponsor for the Raymond James UK Women Wealth Manager Network.
Cynthia is married with two children, is a pilates enthusiast and has even learned the tricky rules of cricket having watched her son play for many years.
Head of UK Country Management Office and Head of RJIS Dealing, Partnerships & Supplier Risk Management
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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