Chet Helck, CEO of Raymond James private-client group, to retire

Chester “Chet” Helck, a veteran leader of brokers and financial advisers as Raymond James Financial Inc.'s global private-client group chief executive, said Thursday that he will retire after more than 25 years with the firm and its antecedents. He will remain at Raymond James as a special senior adviser through the end of the year, the company said in a statement. As part of the company's management succession plans, Scott Curtis, president of independent broker-dealer Raymond James Financial Services Inc., and Tash Elwyn, president of employee broker-dealer Raymond James & Associates Inc., will join the executive committee of Raymond James upon approval at the board at its February meeting. Mr. Helck, 61, has held numerous executive positions at Raymond James Financial, including chief operating officer. In 2009, he didn't get the top job when chief executive Tom James, scion of the founder, said that he was stepping aside. Mr. James tapped a member of the board, Paul Reilly, who was executive chairman of recruiting leader Korn/Ferry International, for the top job. Mr. Helck also served in 2012 and 2013 as chairman of the Securities Industry Financial Markets Association, the largest trade group in the securities industry. “Chet's contributions to the firm go beyond his leadership with our private-client group, including as a key contributor to the development of the firm's technology, wealth solutions and marketing efforts. Prior to his broader PCG leadership role, Chet was one of a small management team that made Investment Management & Research and its successor, Raymond James Financial Services, a leader in the independent-contractor brokerage business,” Mr. James, now Raymond James Financial's executive chairman, said in a statement. “I have been privileged to help lead one of the industry's finest companies,” Mr. Helck said in a statement. “Raymond James is well-established as the destination for the best advisers in the industry,” he said. “Tash and Scott are well-prepared, and I am proud of the management team we have built together.”