The second week of June was a special time for CFA Institute and CFA Society of Sydney members – our founding Institute celebrated its 60th birthday. We certainly had a lot to celebrate, as over the past 60 years we have achieved many significant milestones for the investment industry.
To mark this special occasion, more than 120 member societies from all over the world conducted their own profile-raising celebrations.
CFA Society of Sydney (CFAS) decided to be a little different, and we held a press luncheon. The objectives of this approach were to:
- Raise the awareness and profile of CFA Institute and CFAS in Australia.
- Promote the accomplishments of CFA Institute. Our reputation for providing the highest standard of professional excellence to clients with a globally recognised code of conduct and ethical standards is second to none.
- Celebrate the history of CFA Institute. We have provided the opportunity for new investment theories to be developed and old theories to be challenged. Over the years we have developed a wide range of ground breaking investment ideas, tested them, and launched them to create an industry body that is an influential advocate for investment professionals worldwide.
- Create excitement for CFA Institute’s birthday celebrations.
- Improve the level of media awareness of the CFA designation and its international recognition.
- Generate media coverage and foster ongoing media relationships.
In the lead-up to the function, CFAS and its event partner, evolution media, contacted a number of CFA charterholders in Sydney for their insights into the CFA designation. This helped steer the media program. Some of the insights appear later.
In relation to the actual press lunch, we held the function at the Westin Hotel. The event was well attended by journalists from key publications. Representing CFA Institute and CFAS were:
- Emilio Gonzalez CFA, incoming CFA Institute Chairman for the Board of Governors and Chief Investment Officer at Perpetual Investments.
- Dr Jan Squires CFA, CFA Institute Managing Director Asia Pacific Australia and New Zealand
- Stephen Dunne CFA, Managing Director of AMP Capital Investors
- Michael Barghloz CFA, Chief Executive Officer, Alliance Bernstein Australia and New Zealand
- Victoria Rati CFA, CFAS President; and,
- Olivia Engel CFA, CFAS Vice-President
Victoria Rati, Emilio Gonzalez, Jan Squires and Olivia Engel
Mr Gonzalez CFA, was the guest speaker at the luncheon. Media coverage from his presentation and insights shared by the other representatives is outlined further in the newsletter. You can expect further mention of CFA Institute and the society in coming months.
Simon Mumme (reporter, Investment & Technology), Jan Squires (CFA Institute), Leng Yeow (editor, Asset) and Campbell Fuller (evolution media)
Justin Lim (reporter, Money Management), Olivia Engel (CFA Society of Sydney), Vanessa Stoykov (CEO, evolution media), Kevin Foley (senior reporter, Bloomberg News), Stephen Dunne (AMP Capital Investors) and Elizabeth Knight (columnist, Sydney Morning Herald)
Senior journalists from leading financial services publications attended the luncheon, including:
- Asset
- Bloomberg News
- BRW
- FN Arena
- Financial Standard
- Investment & Technology
- Money Management
- Sydney Morning Herald
Following the luncheon, Barrie Dunstan, of the Australian Financial Review, interviewed Mr Gonzalez.
