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February 28, 2023

Financo | Raymond James and the Design Leadership Network form strategic partnership

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Financo | Raymond James and the Design Leadership Network (DLN) announced the formation of a strategic partnership for the 2023 and 2024 calendar years. The partnership will establish Financo | Raymond James as DLN’s exclusive financial services and advisory partner, combining the deep industry knowledge and significant relationships of both organizations. Through this partnership, DLN will incorporate the thought leadership, advisory and industry knowledge from the Financo | Raymond James Home Furnishings & Décor practice into its programming and events.

Raymond James Investment Banking’s Home Furnishings & Décor practice was established through the acquisition of the boutique investment bank Financo in March 2021. Prior to the acquisition, Financo’s highly regarded and industry-leading Home Furnishings & Décor practice completed 30 transactions in the design space since 2013. Since Raymond James and Financo joined forces, the Home Furnishings & Décor practice has completed nine M&A transactions. Leading the practice is Lee Helman, an industry expert with over 25 years of global M&A experience in the consumer and retail industry, including the past eight years with a dedicated focus on design-driven furnishing and décor companies.

“DLN is the premier organization that features the most influential leaders in the global design industry.  It’s a tremendous honor to be partnering with this incredible group and the extraordinary content and enthusiastic and talented members,” Helman says of the announcement.  “We look forward to becoming an integral constituent in this vibrant community.”

The DLN is a membership-based organization serving principals of design and architecture firms, media companies and makers of products and services targeting the high-end design audience. Over its 17-year history the DLN has established its unique and leading role in the design community by consistently committing to the highest standards of integrity, quality and focus for its membership, programming and management. With over 550 members, the organization includes well-established professionals as well as emerging stars, representing diverse geographies, backgrounds and styles across fields including architecture, interior design and landscape architecture.

“We are thrilled to welcome Financo | Raymond James to our community,” says Michael Diaz-Griffith, executive director & COO of the DLN. “As design industry leaders, our members look to each other for mutual support and to firms like Financo | Raymond James for disciplinary insights and thought leadership. When we are able to combine those dynamics and bring a leader into the very center of our community conversation, it benefits our whole membership – and thanks to our scale, the industry at large.”

About Raymond James Investment Banking

Raymond James offers one of the most highly regarded equity offering and advisory practices. Since 2017, we have participated in raising over $310 billion in capital for our corporate clients and completed more than 1,010 advisory assignments, including over 835 M&A buy-side or sell-side advisory assignments. Put the expertise, quality and experience of Raymond James to work for you.

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. The company has approximately 8,700 financial advisors. Total client assets are $1.21 trillion. Public since 1983, the firm is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RJF. Additional information is available at raymondjames.com.