Warren Stephens stepping down as CEO; children assuming new leadership roles

Financial services giant Stephens Inc. announced Tuesday (Jan. 7) that CEO Warren Stephens will retire as CEO immediately after he was selected to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom by President-elect Donald Trump. Stephens will retain the title of chairman of the firm.

Sons Miles and John Stephens have been named co-chief executive officers and daughter Laura Brookshire has been named senior executive vice president and chair of the executive committee.

The transition marks Little Rock-based Stephens’ third era of generational leadership, following Warren Stephens’ 39-year tenure as CEO of the 91-year-old family business that was built on a handshake between his uncle Witt and father Jackson T. Stephens.

As co-CEOs, Miles Stephens and John Stephens will oversee Stephens’ diversified offerings of investment banking and advisory services, wealth management, family office services, research, sales and trading, asset management, public finance, insurance, and private capital, across strategic markets in the United States and Europe as well as serve on the Stephens Executive Committee.

Miles Stephens has led Stephens Insurance as president and CEO since 2019, where he strengthened its areas of expertise and market presence. Earlier, he was a senior vice president in Stephens’ investment banking division, where he advised mid- to large-sized businesses with a focus on the auto retail sector. Prior to joining Stephens in 2014, he held research positions at Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management and Lehman Brothers.

As managing director within investment banking, John Stephens contributed to the division’s Family Advisory Services Group’s growth and client acquisition, deepening Stephens’ global network of family offices and family businesses. He has served on the management committee for Stephens’ London and Frankfurt offices since 2019. His tenure at Stephens began in 2011 with Stephens Investment Management Group where he worked as an equity analyst.

Laura Brookshire is a senior executive vice President within Stephens’ marketing and communications group, which is responsible for corporate reputation, impact initiatives, and marketing campaigns to support revenue generation. She joined the family of companies in 2015, after serving as a public relations consultant to Stephens as well as other financial services and middle market companies.

“I’d like to congratulate our father, Warren Stephens. He has done a remarkable job of leading Stephens for almost four decades. He has given my siblings and me a great opportunity to carry forth his vision of a relationship-based, family-owned financial services business. I look forward to continuing the tradition of our family’s management of Stephens,” said Miles Stephens.

“Miles and I envisioned working together in our youth, long before we knew what Stephens did. We have since worked hard to fully appreciate all aspects of the firm and have had the privilege of learning from, and working with, our father. Now with our sister, Laura, whose passion for the business is second to none, and an Executive Committee with the unique experience of having worked with three generations of our family, we are positioning Stephens for many decades to come,” said John Stephens.

“I am thrilled to witness this transition from our father to my brothers, Miles and John. I am immensely proud of our father’s 39 years of leadership and have the utmost respect for my brothers. As Co- CEOs, I know they will work tirelessly to ensure Stephens’ success. I am honored to serve as chair of the Executive Committee as we look to expand upon our family’s incredible legacy and grow our business,” said Brookshire.

The remaining executive committee members are Stephens executives Brad Eichler, Mark Doramus, and Doug Martin. Collectively, they possess more than 100 years of Stephens tenure, experience, and insights and will work with the new leadership team to further client and business success.