Following its Annual Shareholders’ Meeting, Raymond James Financial has officially announced that Paul Shoukry has assumed the role of CEO, becoming the firm’s fourth chief executive. This transition was first announced in December 2024, when the Board confirmed his appointment to succeed Paul Reilly, who is stepping down from his responsibilities to become the firm’s new executive chairman.
“We congratulate Paul and thank Paul Reilly for his 15 years of leadership as CEO as he transitions into the role of executive chairman of the Board of Directors at Raymond James Financial,” the company has stated
In addition to being CEO, Shoukry also serves as president of Raymond James Financial and is a member of the company’s Executive Committee. Before assuming these roles, he was the firm’s chief financial officer (CFO) from 2020 to 2024. He joined Raymond James in 2010 as part of the company’s Assistant to the President program.
Regarding his education and professional background, Shoukry earned an MBA with honors from Columbia University. Before pursuing his graduate degree in business, he worked at a strategic consulting firm specializing in financial services. He began his career as a commercial banker after graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Georgia, where he was a Leonard Leadership Scholar.
Following the Board’s confirmation of his appointment in December 2024, Jeff Edwards, an independent director of the Board, stated: “Paul Reilly and the rest of the Board fully agree that the time has come to move forward with our long-term succession plan. Paul Shoukry is an exceptionally talented leader, well-qualified to work alongside our strong management team. I am confident that he will build on the firm’s outstanding track record and the legacy of first-class client service that began with Bob and Tom James and flourished under Paul Reilly’s leadership. We are pleased that Paul Reilly will remain as full-time executive chairman, much like Tom and Bob James executed and supported their succession plans.”
