Cradle to Grave

Chester B. Helck, new president and COO of Raymond James Financial, has some lofty goals in mind for the company he now leads. One of those goals is to be sure that Raymond James is “the one place that everyone would like to be.” One way the company can do this, says Helck, is by being the kind of firm that advisors don’t outgrow.

He points out that through its division Raymond James and Associates, his company provides “a turnkey support system for people who don’t want to negotiate leases and hire support staff.” This division hires planners, offers them training through Raymond James University, where employees learn the business; and retail branch offices with managers for mentoring.