The former chief of a publicly traded B-D's $102.7-billion-AUM, multi-boutique asset manager is taking over a privately held, Midwestern firm's $68-billion-AUM* asset management business (which has more than 330 employees and more than 30 funds and strategies). Stay tuned for word on who will fill the executive's old shoes atop the multi-boutique.

Robert Daniel "Bob" Kendall III William Blair Global Head of Investment Management

Yesterday, Brent Gledhill, CEO and president of William Blair & Company [profile], revealed that Bob Kendall, president of Raymond James Investment Management [profile] has joined the Chicago-based partnership as global head of investment management. Kendall now reports to Gledhill and, as previously reported, succeeds outgoing William Blair IM chief Stephanie Braming, a partner who will stay on until retiring in the fourth quarter of this year.

A spokesperson for Raymond James confirms that Kendall previously reported to the St. Petersburg, Florida-based firm's chief operating officer, Scott Curtis and that one of Kendall's lieutenants is taking the reins at Raymond James IM for now.

"We can confirm that Bob Kendall has departed Raymond James Investment Management to pursue another opportunity. We thank Bob for his many contributions and wish him the best in his future endeavors," the aforementioned spokesperson for Raymond James tells MFWire in an emailed statement. "COO Eric Wilwant has been named interim head of Raymond James Investment Management. The executive team remains focused on advancing the firm's long-term growth strategy while the firm undergoes a search for a successor."

At William Blair, Gledhill highlights the firm's "mission of delivering investment excellence." He lauds Kendall "the ideal choice," thanks to an "extensive asset management and leadership experience" and "strong track record of achievement in leading investment management teams, coupled with his global perspective."

"Investment Management is a fundamental pillar of the William Blair platform," Gledhill states. "Bob shares our firm's vision and values that are anchored in a steadfast commitment to our clients, colleagues, and communities."

Kendall, for his part, praises William Blair for its "private partnership structure that drives a tremendous culture of client focus, collaboration, integrity, and excellence."

"I am thrilled to be joining William Blair and look forward to building upon the firm’s long heritage of helping clients achieve their investment goals," Kendall states.

Gledhill also thanks Braming "for her numerous contributions to William Blair over the course of more than two decades serving our clients."

"Stephanie has been an integral part of our success, driving innovative strategies, fostering client relationships, and building a strong foundation for the future," Gledhill states. "It has been an honor to work with her over the course of her successful career at William Blair, especially over the past eight years throughout her tenure as global head of Investment Management."

Kendall joined Raymond James in 2021, taking over Carillon Tower Advisers, which then rebranded to Raymond James IM in 2022. Earlier, he spent a decade with Deutsche's DWS, rising to CEO of the Americas, and he served as national sales manager at Van Kampen. He is an alumnus of the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business.

Wilwant joined Eagle Asset Management (now one of Raymond James IM's boutiques) in 2000 after working with Dolphin Capital Management. He is an alumnus of the University of South Florida.

*As of May 31, 2025. 

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