Accomplished ETF Industry Veteran Mo Sparks Joins Raymond James Investment Management
2024年7月18日 - 9:59PM
Raymond James Investment Management, a global asset management
company with $102.7 billion in assets and a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Raymond James, plans to launch an ETF product platform in 2025
to support strong client demand in alignment with putting clients’
needs first.
As part of the platform development, the firm has appointed
former NYSE Director of Exchange Traded Products Mo Sparks as Head
of Exchange Traded Funds, effective July 22. In this role, he will
focus on building out Raymond James Investment Management’s ETF
platform.
“We are excited Mo will be leading our expansion into the ETF
space – one more avenue that we can provide as part of our overall
goal to give broader choice to select, high-demand investment
strategies,” said Bob Kendall, President of Raymond James
Investment Management.
Sparks brings with him nearly 15 years of ETF product,
management, strategy, and distribution experience. Prior to joining
Raymond James Investment Management, he led the New York Stock
Exchange’s new business development activities for ETFs, strategic
initiatives and partnerships related to promoting ETF industry
growth, while managing ETF issuer relationships. During his time at
The Vanguard Group, Sparks held several product management and
strategy leadership roles responsible for development and oversight
of Vanguard’s global ETF and mutual fund lineup. He was also a
founding member of the leadership team for Global Product
Management and Head of Product Management Shared Services, where he
engaged in go-to-market strategy and product development as well as
sales distribution for the global ETF business.
Sparks earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Clemson
University, carries the Certified ETF Advisor (CETF®) designation,
and serves on the alumni engagement board for Clemson University’s
Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business.
Raymond James Investment Management’s planned launch of an ETF
platform signifies the continuation of the firm’s dedication to
providing diverse product offerings for wealth management, retail,
and institutional clients. The launch adds to the firm’s current
offerings, which include a family of mutual funds, separately
managed accounts, and institutional mandates. The firm intends to
begin offering ETF solutions in 2025.
“Mo’s passion for putting clients first and bringing strong
products to market aligns with our culture and goals for this
platform,” said Matt Johnson, Head of Product Management and
Marketing for Raymond James Investment Management. “His strategic
business mindset and thoughtful nature are the types of qualities
we entrust to embody our firmwide values, while building out the
ETF product suite within the firm.”
Throughout his career, Sparks has demonstrated a client focus
and a commitment to developing and leading new initiatives. Over
the last five years at the NYSE he advised more than 125 asset
management firms on their entry and ongoing business development
efforts within the ETF market. These efforts included guiding
issuers on product development, organizational design, service
provider selection, sales training and broader distribution, and
marketing activities. Additionally, to improve ETF investor
education and access, he led the development, launch, and oversight
of ETF Central, a destination website for ETF investors and
advisors.
“ETFs are a technology that allows investors unparalleled access
and control over today’s investment landscape,” Sparks said. “I am
eager to build this platform at such a respected organization in
support of evolving investor needs – and excited to pair the
capabilities of RJIM and its boutique investment managers with the
access and tax efficiency that the ETF wrapper provides.”
About Raymond James Investment
ManagementRaymond James Investment Management is a global
asset management company that combines the exceptional insight and
agility of individual investment teams with the strength and
stability of a full-service firm. Together with our boutique
investment managers – Chartwell Investment Partners, ClariVest
Asset Management, Cougar Global Investments, Eagle Asset
Management, Reams Asset Management (a division of Scout), and Scout
Investments – we offer a range of investment strategies and asset
classes through multiple vehicles. Our focus is on sustainable,
risk-adjusted returns and alpha generation. We believe this lineup
of institutional-class portfolio managers can help investors meet
their long-term business and financial goals. Ultimately, our
structure allows affiliated investment teams to focus on what they
do best: managing portfolios.
Media Contacts:Shree Dhond/Jansel MuradDukas
Linden Public Relations(646) 722-6531/(646)
722-6537rjim@dlpr.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3549a27d-c03a-4365-86d6-ad70426c4ce9