Prime Highlights :
- Raymond James appointed Seth Ford as Senior Vice President and Chief Architect.
- Ford will help expand the firm’s AI, analytics and technology capabilities.
Key Facts :
- Ford previously served as Chief Architect and Head of Agentic Digital Products at Vanguard.
- Raymond James invests about $1.1 billion annually in technology initiatives.
Background :
Raymond James has appointed Seth Ford as Senior Vice President and Chief Architect, expanding its technology leadership team as the financial services firm continues to strengthen its artificial intelligence and digital capabilities.
Based in St. Petersburg, Florida, Ford will lead the evolution of the company’s technology architecture and help ensure future platforms are secure, scalable and aligned with long-term business objectives. He will also join the Extended IT Senior Leadership Team and serve as chair of the Technology Review Board, which oversees architectural standards, operational sustainability and technology risk management.
Ford joins Raymond James with more than three decades of experience in financial technology. He most recently served as Chief Architect and Head of Agentic Digital Products at Vanguard. Before that, he spent 23 years at Fidelity Investments, where he held several senior technology positions and helped develop enterprise-wide technology capabilities.
The appointment supports Raymond James’ broader strategy to expand its technology infrastructure and AI-driven services. The firm has introduced several initiatives in recent years, including an AI Academy training programme, an AI-powered assistant for financial advisors, automated CRM note-generation tools, AI-generated meeting summaries and generative AI search capabilities.
Executive Vice President of Technology and Operations Vin Campagnoli said the company continues to invest in technologies that improve efficiency while supporting the personalised service model that defines the firm’s client relationships.
Chief Information Officer Andy Zolper described Ford as an experienced technology leader with expertise in enterprise architecture, cloud computing, digital products and distributed systems. He said Ford’s appointment would help accelerate the firm’s ability to meet strategic business objectives.
Ford said Raymond James’ ongoing investment in technology and infrastructure, combined with its culture and reputation, created an attractive opportunity. He added that he looks forward to strengthening collaboration across teams and enhancing experiences for both advisors and clients.
The company currently invests around $1.1 billion annually in technology initiatives.