Press Releases

16 October, 2008

Robert Reid Receives Widows 2008 ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’

Robert Reid, Managing Director and founder of financial planning practice Syndaxi Financial Planning Ltd (Syndaxi), has been selected as this year’s recipient of The Widows Lifetime Achievement Award for 2008 at the prestigious Scottish Widows Gala Dinner.

The Widows awards were launched in 2006 and are an opportunity for the life and pensions industry to recognise success and achievement in the financial adviser community. The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to the financial adviser who has given the most to financial services over his or her life.

The Widows Awards Judging Panel 2008, an independent panel comprising some of the industry's leading figures, said "Robert has been selected for his contribution to the industry not just as an IFA but also for his work at the PFS and the work he has done to improve the adviser industry. Robert is one of the most familiar faces in financial services and is always to be found at the centre of key debates affecting IFAs. He has been in financial services since 1976 and an IFA since 1985. While still keeping up his IFA duties in recent years, he has been head of high profile IFA organisations including chairman of SOFA and currently holds the title of president of the Personal Finance Society."

Robert set up fee based Syndaxi in 1998, which operates in the City of London as an Appointed Representative of Raymond James Investment Services Limited (RJIS). Syndaxi is dedicated to providing personal financial planning advice to high net worth individuals and employee benefits services to small and medium sized enterprises, as well as expert witness testimony and reports in respect of pensions in divorce and other dispute cases. Robert also heads up the Financial Planning department for RJIS, and was one of the first advisers to graduate as a Chartered Financial Planner in 2006.

Of his most recent accolade Reid said: ‘I am surprised and delighted with my award, as we move to increase standards to support this growing profession it is very encouraging to receive this recognition for my contribution to date.’

Notes to the Editors

Biography - Robert Reid APFS ACII CFPcm
Robert Reid entered the financial services sector in 1976 and has been an IFA since 1985 for both provincial and national operations.

Robert lectures frequently on all pension topics in particular retirement options and pensions and divorce. His management consultancy Syndaxi, which is fee based, has developed a series of multimedia solutions and strategic advice for providers and IFAS. Robert was retained by the Financial Times to advise them on the build and design of the personal finance web site www.ftyourmoney.com. He is also the author of the inaugural G60 - Pensions AFPC syllabus. The G60 was recognised as the definitive exam for those advising on Pensions Transfers.

Robert is the President of the Personal Finance Society and Chairman of the Practitioners Advisory Committee – European Financial Planning Association plus past Chairman of SOFA. In 2006 Robert was one of the first advisers to graduate as Chartered Financial Planner. Robert is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute, a Chartered Financial Planner, an Associate of the Personal Finance Society and a Certified Financial Planner.

Syndaxi Financial Planning Ltd is an Appointed Representative of RJIS. RJIS is a member of the London Stock Exchange and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

About Raymond James Investment Services Limited (RJIS)
RJIS is the UK private client investment management arm of Raymond James Financial, Inc., a US based diversified financial services company.  The firm commenced operation in 2001 and has 42 affiliates located across the UK. RJIS offers private client investment managers and advisers a platform of choice, providing alternative methods of affiliation through three business models: Independent Contracting, Professional Partner and the Wrap Platform. Its goal is to provide investment professionals in the UK with the freedom to deliver to clients a complete integrated wealth management solution whilst retaining their independence. RJIS is a member of the London Stock Exchange and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

About Raymond James Financial, Inc. (RJF)
Established in 1962, Raymond James Financial has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 1983 and has a current market capitalization of approximately $3.1B. RJF offers a comprehensive range of wealth management products and services to 1.9 million client accounts, representing total assets under control of $200 + billion. RJF currently has 4900 advisers located in 2,200 office locations throughout the US, Canada, the UK and elsewhere overseas.

Having pioneered the independent contractor concept in the early 1970’s in the US, Raymond James Financial today enjoys an enviable reputation amongst investment managers and advisers for client service and investment in new technologies.

For further information, please contact:

Robert Reid
Managing Director
Syndaxi Financial Planning Ltd
Tel 020 7993 0016 or
rjreid@syndaxi.co.uk

Cynthia Poole
Director of Relationship Management and Business Support
Raymond James Investment Services
Tel 020 7096 6751 or Cynthia.Poole@RaymondJames.com

Online information

www.syndaxi.co.uk
www.rjis.co.uk
www.adviserchoice.co.uk
www.scottishwidows.co.uk/widowsawards