Raymond James appoints Chief Architect to bolster enterprise technology and AI strategy
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – As part of its commitment to providing leading-edge technology solutions, Raymond James has appointed Seth Ford as Senior Vice President, Chief Architect to lead the evolution of technology architecture across firm platforms. In his role, Ford will help enable business innovation and strategy by accelerating the adoption of modern platform designs for enterprise technology, including AI and advanced analytics capabilities.
“At Raymond James, innovation is most powerful when it strengthens relationships and helps our people deliver the high-touch, personal service that defines our firm,” said Vin Campagnoli, Executive Vice President, Technology and Operations. “As we continue to advance our technology and AI capabilities, our focus remains on investing in the talent and resources to deliver tools that empower financial professionals, enhance efficiency and create meaningful value for clients.”
This appointment supports the firm’s technology strategy, helping ensure new platforms, AI capabilities and advanced analytics are designed to scale securely, integrate effectively and align with the firm’s long-term business priorities. In addition to leading the firm’s established enterprise architecture teams, Ford joins the Raymond James Extended IT Senior Leadership Team and assumes responsibility as chair of its Technology Review Board, which guides technology decisions to promote sound architectural practices, manage risk and ensure long-term operational sustainability.
“Seth has demonstrated strong leadership and success across enterprise architecture, agentic product management, sophisticated database design, modern cloud computing architecture and resilient distributed systems throughout his career. His background spans 30 years where his expertise lies in bridging the gap between business objectives and technological solutions, driving efficiency and creating competitive advantage,” said Andy Zolper, chief information officer. “I’m pleased to welcome Seth to Raymond James and confident that his influence will accelerate our capabilities to meet strategic business objectives.”
Ford has more than three decades of experience leading technology innovation in financial services and spent the last three years as Chief Architect and Head of Agentic Digital Products at Vanguard. Before that, he spent 23 years at Fidelity Investments where he held a variety of technology leadership roles. Throughout his career, Ford has successfully delivered industry-leading capabilities as a trusted partner to his technology peers and business partners.
“Raymond James continues to make impressive investments in its technology capabilities and infrastructure, and when paired with the firm’s steadfast culture and reputation, it creates an exciting environment to be part of,” said Ford. “I look forward to working closely with technology and business partners across the firm to bring teams together, strengthen collaboration and help guide business strategy in ways that continue to enhance the advisor and client experience.”
This marks the latest in several technology and AI leadership appointments and innovations, including:
- AI Academy education program to support advisors in adopting AI capabilities through practical application
- Raimond, the firm’s concierge AI agent to assist in operations support for advisors and their teams
- RJ CRM AI note assistant to optimize note taking and easily identify next steps and action items, as well as activities summaries to scan a client’s recent actions to provide an overview of notes, emails and tasks for meeting preparation
- Zoom AI meeting summaries integrated with RJ CRM to easily create and track multiple related activities, notes and tasks as well as draft recap emails
- Generative AI Search to enhance intuitive question and answer search in the firm’s internal knowledge databases
Raymond James is investing strategically and responsibly in ongoing AI advancements as part of its $1.1 billion annual technology commitment.
About Raymond James Financial, Inc.
Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE: RJF) is a leading diversified financial services company providing private client group, capital markets, asset management, banking and other services to individuals, corporations and municipalities. Total client assets are $1.87 trillion. Public since 1983, the firm is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RJF. Additional information is available at www.raymondjames.com.