The Investment Association (IA), the trade body that represents UK investment managers, has today expanded its Investment20/20 programme to promote a more diverse pool of talent into the investment industry, and has launched a video challenging stereotypes of the industry’s workforce.
The IA, which recently merged with Investment20/20 to help drive greater diversity in the industry, expands Investment20/20’s membership model launching the ‘Supporting the Next Generation’ package. This is targeted at firms who work closely with the investment industry, from legal, accounting, consulting to fintech, to demonstrate their support of the work of Investment20/20 by displaying an Investment20/20 kitemark. The package complements the existing Investment20/20 flagship one-year trainee programme targeted at investment managers.
Chris Cummings, Chief Executive of Investment Association, said:
“Our industry is working hard to better reflect the customers we serve and the IA is committed to promoting greater diversity at the heart of the industry. We know that firms with diverse teams and pipelines make better decisions and we are working hard to make our industry more attractive to those from different backgrounds, a goal strengthened by our merger with Investment20/20. By expanding Investment20/20’s reach to firms who partner with our industry, we will ensure we attract tomorrow’s talented workforce, from all backgrounds, to our industry. Together we can change the perception of our sector.”
2018 marks five years since Investment20/20 launched and in this short-time it has brought 1,300 trainees from different backgrounds into the investment industry, 74 per cent of whom have been permanently employed across nearly 40 asset managers.
The investment management industry is committed to driving greater diversity and today the IA launches a thought-provoking video to break down stereotypes about the people who work in the industry by showcasing its talented employees:
Attracting diverse talent is key to the future of investment management. Check out the new film from @Investment_2020 about how we're breaking down the stereotypes in our industry. #investinyourself https://t.co/DRzEAQrCLY
— The Investment Association (@InvAssoc) June 28, 2018
Karis Stander, Managing Director of Investment20/20 said:
“We know that young people’s perception of the financial services sector often doesn’t match the reality. This perception has to change. Our thought-provoking and fun video released today showcases the industry’s workforce, breaks down the misconceptions and stereotypes about our industry, and we hope will raise greater awareness of the potential career opportunities in our industry.”
Source: IA