The Raymond James Financial Board of Directors announced that effective immediately, CFO Paul Shoukry has been appointed president of Raymond James Financial as part of its multi-year succession planning process. Following a transition period, he is expected to become the firm’s CEO sometime during fiscal 2025.
After the planned succession process is completed, Shoukry will become only the fourth chief executive in the company’s history. Current Chair and CEO Paul Reilly will remain on the board as executive chair. And Shoukry will retain his current responsibilities until he transitions to the CEO role.
Raymond James is announcing other leadership changes and appointments as part of the succession plans. And Jeff Dowdle has announced that he will be retiring and stepping down from the COO role at the end of the fiscal year.
As part of this change, Raymond James Financial Private Client Group President Scott Curtis will become COO of Raymond James Financial, current Raymond James & Associates CEO Tash Elwyn will become president of the Private Client Group, and Global Equities & Investment Banking President Jim Bunn will become president of the Capital Markets segment.
These changes will be effective October 1, 2024, when Dowdle will be named vice chair and serve in an advisory role to facilitate a smooth transition.
Shoukry started with Raymond James 14 years ago, working for Tom James and Paul Reilly in the Assistant to the Chair program. Serving as the firm’s CFO since January 2020, Shoukry is responsible for the company’s financial management, including balance sheet management, financial reporting, investor relations, corporate development, corporate tax, cash management, regulatory reporting, and financial planning and analysis. And he oversees the firm’s Bank segment, is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, and serves on the boards of subsidiaries Raymond James & Associates and TriState Capital Bank.
Before joining Raymond James, Shoukry worked for a strategy consulting firm that focused on serving clients in the financial services industry. Shoukry earned an MBA with honors from Columbia University and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s and Master of Accountancy from The University of Georgia, where he was a Leonard Leadership Scholar.
KEY QUOTES:
“Paul has been an exceptional leader and major contributor to Raymond James’ steady growth and financial stability. Serving as the firm’s CFO, as well as overseeing our Bank segment, he has consistently demonstrated that even as we grow, keeping our Private Client Group, advisors and their clients at the center of our business plans, while always embracing our values, will continue to be essential to our future success. In addition to Paul, we have an outstanding leadership team who similarly embrace our vision for the future and are well-equipped to meet the demands of a dynamic marketplace.”
– Paul Reilly
“Raymond James has always been defined by our unique values and our focus on the wealth management business. Bob James, Tom James and Paul Reilly’s commitment to these values has enabled advisors and associates to put clients first for over 60 years. We are fortunate that Tom will remain with the firm as chair emeritus and beyond this transition, Paul will remain with the firm as executive chair. I am confident the transition will benefit greatly from the strong leadership team Paul developed across all our businesses and functions.”
“I am excited to partner with Scott, Tash and Jim in their expanded roles to continue delivering on our mission to help clients achieve their financial objectives, which is critical to our firm’s continued success and independence.”
– Paul Shoukry
