Investment dealer names seasoned professionals as independent directors to trust businesses
Raymond James Ltd., the Canadian arm of Raymond James Financial, has announced two key appointments to the boards of its two trust businesses, Raymond James Trust Canada (RJTC) and Raymond James Trust (Québec) Ltd.
“Our focus is to continue to broaden the diversity and regional expertise of our Board to better serve our key markets, Raymond James clients and their families across the country,” said Raymond James Ltd. COO and Chief Risk Officer Lloyd Costley.
Based in Vancouver, Karen Hoffman earned her law degree from the University of Ottawa. Her professional career encompasses over 30 years of executive leadership within financial and trust-related firms, including 18 years spent in multiple senior roles at Vancity Credit Union and 12 years in key roles at Royal Trust.
Eddie Leschiutta, who’s currently in Montreal, has extensive experience working with domestic and international companies. With over 40 years’ experience in audit and advisory services, Leschiutta worked at Deloitte as the global managing director of Audit Services and managing partner of the Enterprise Risk Practice for Canada. Aside from being an independent board director, he will also serve as chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.
“Having high quality professionals like Eddie and Karen join an already strong team, we are well positioned to ensure the highest standard of governance, while also delivering excellence in personal trust services for our financial advisors and their clients,” Costley said.
Aside from the new appointments, the firm said it is mirroring the boards of Raymond James Trust (Canada) and Raymond James Trust (Québec) Ltd. Having one set of board members and officers to oversee both entities, it said, will result in stronger efficiencies and oversight of the trusts.
“Through our advisors, we are focused on delivering the full range of trust services from Estate Planning to Executor, Trustee and Power of Attorney services to give clients a total wealth management offering,” said Raymond James Trust President and CEO Jennifer Hodgson, who’s also a member of the board.
“Our new Board structure better integrates the expertise of our outside Board Directors, with members of our senior leadership team, as we continue to build out this important business,” Hodgson said.
