A lot has occurred in the investment management industry since our last newsletter. Little needs to be said about what has been happening in financial markets and the global economy over the last year. Investment professionals both locally and abroad are experiencing job losses or increased workloads, but some are finding new opportunities and taking the challenge to learn from this tumultuous period.
In this environment, the CFA Society of Sydney recognises it has an important part to play in supporting members where they need it. Where the job market becomes more competitive, there are a number of things that professionals can do:
- stay abreast of current thinking via continuing education
- stay connected and make new connections with industry peers
- utilise career services that are available
Continuing Education
Last year we brought Marc Faber to Sydney, this year we will be featuring Nouriel Roubini at an exclusive gala luncheon in Sydney on 6 August. Our educational events are always a high standard of local and international speakers, and this year, we have increased the number of volunteers on the member education committee to further improve our educational offerings.
Stay Connected
The Society is increasing opportunities for members to connect with each other. We always make time at educational events for members to catch up over a bite to eat or a drink. We’ve also hosted a number of purely social events.
Careers Services
In light of the current economic environment, a new Committee Chair position has recently been established for the role of driving careers services for members. We already have an established job-line for society members and employers, and you will begin to see career based events and services emerge over the coming months. As always, if you have ideas for career services that could be offered to members, please get in touch with our executive director, John Apthorp, admin@cfas.org.au.
There is no shortage of other activity within the Society:
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In February, we made a charitable donation of $5000 to the Country Fire Authority
(CFA) in Victoria, following the devastating bushfires that tore through the state.
- At the start of 2009, the Society reviewed and made changes to its governing structure, which included setting up a management oversight committee to assist the executive director to carry out the operations of the society, so the Board of Directors can focus on strategic direction. You can find the Society’s 2009 strategic plan on the web-site at www.cfas.org.au.
- We continue to receive valuable input from our Employer Advisory Board, which has been chaired by Michael Bargholz, CFA of AllianceBernstein since its inception over two years ago. The new chairman of this board is Stephen Dunne, CFA of AMP Capital. This Board keeps the communication channels open between the society and local employers, so that we may keep our offerings relevant to the industry from an employer’s perspective.
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Media coverage has been steady over the last year, following our efforts to raise the profile of the CFA charter and its value in our local investment industry. We have generated coverage across trade publications and newspapers on a wide variety of topics. More information on our PR activity can be found here.
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In conjunction with Financial Education Professionals (FEP), a new training course has been established so that CFA charter holders can have their qualification recognised by ASIC for the purposes of RG 146 and RG 105. More information about the gap program is found here.
Of course, we couldn’t undertake any of these initiatives without the devoted volunteers on the board and committees, and dedication of our executive director and staff. If you would like to become more involved with the society, please make contact with us.
Olivia Engel CFA
President
