An Investment Manager at financial services firm Raymond James has been appointed President of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) South East branch.
US born Leighton T. Bascom Chartered FCSI will take over the voluntary position from outgoing branch President Katie Presland, Chartered FCSI. Leighton is Investment Manager and Branch Principal, managing individual and institutional investment mandates and is responsible for the overall running of the Tunbridge Wells, Kent branch of Raymond James.
Prior to joining Raymond James in 2003, Leighton was senior vice president of investments from 1993 at Prudential-Bache Securities (part of Prudential Securities (U.S.) which later became Wachovia) in London where he managed or advised on segregated investment portfolios. Prior to this, he spent five years at PaineWebber, Boston (now UBS). Leighton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and an MBA both attained at Brigham Young University (Utah, U.S.).
With his training and background in the U.S. Leighton brings a unique perspective to global investing in London that many U.K. and European investment managers may not share. In addition, with clients throughout the world, including U.K., U.S., Europe and Africa, he has first-hand understanding of the risks posed to clients by country-specific concentrated portfolios. Leighton has presented numerous investment seminars with particular emphasis on global securities investment.
On his appointment, Leighton said: “I believe my family and my faith are the foundations for success and happiness. I look forward to building on the excellent legacy put in place by my predecessor Katie Presland, Chartered FCSI, with the aim of growing the membership and developing an exciting annual continuing professional development programme.” Between his dual roles of his investment management career and long-time volunteer services to his local church Leighton enjoys time with his wife Donna and their four children.
Jim Winter, CISI Head of UK Business Development said: “We are delighted to welcome Leighton as our new South East branch President and we would like to thank Katie Presland for her leadership and support with building the branch. With over 1,000 members our CISI South East branch covers areas including Kent, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and Maidstone and is an integral and lively part of the business and finance community of the region. We look forward to supporting Leighton in his new role.”
Forthcoming events for the branch include a breakfast event at The Spa Hotel in Tunbridge Wells 6th February 2019: The Generation Game, the New Wealth Paradigm, an investment topic and Inheritance Tax. Speakers will include Mark King from Standard Life, Gregg Guerin, First Trust and Penny Lovell from Sanlam.