This week on WealthDFM, we’ve been shining a spotlight on an issue that we think will play a critical role in shaping the future success of the UK’s investment management profession: how do we attract, nurture and retain the talented individuals who will lead this profession in the years ahead?
Every so often, we run a special In Focus mini-series to gather perspectives on some of the most important themes affecting our sector. This week, the focus has been firmly on career development — and, more specifically, the long-term health of a profession that depends on a steady pipeline of highly skilled, motivated and curious people choosing investment management or financial services as a career.
Because while the profession can sometimes feel technical, complex or even intimidating from the outside, it also offers one of the most rewarding career paths in financial services. Yes, it demands qualifications, resilience, determination and hard work. But for those willing to put in the effort, the opportunities, both personal and professional, are significant.
At a time when much of the profession is grappling with an ageing workforce, the integration of AI and increasing concerns over succession planning, developing the next generation of talent has never been more important. It is no longer enough to wait for people to find the profession; firms need to actively open doors, widen access and challenge outdated perceptions of what a career in investment management can look like.
Plaudits for Investment 20/20
One organisation helping to do exactly that is Investment20/20, the award-winning UK talent and diversity initiative operating as part of the Investment Association. For more than a decade, Investment20/20 has been working to make careers in asset management more accessible to school leavers and graduates, partnering with over 50 financial firms to offer paid trainee roles, apprenticeships and development opportunities.
Its model is refreshingly simple: hire for potential, not just academic pedigree or previous experience.
Each year, the programme offers more than 200 paid trainee roles and apprenticeships across a broad range of disciplines, from marketing and communications to technology, compliance, legal and operations, alongside more traditional investment-focused roles. Participants gain practical, on-the-job experience while also benefiting from structured development, industry masterclasses, networking opportunities and support towards professional qualifications such as the CISI’s Investment Operations Certificate.
To date, the initiative has helped more than 3,000 young professionals enter the profession, equipping them not only with technical skills but also the confidence, networks and sense of community needed to build long-term careers.
Sharing your stories on WealthDFM
As part of this week’s In Focus series, we’ve been fortunate to hear from a range of voices across the profession who are all deeply invested in this challenge to nurture talent in the profession. We’ve already published viewpoints and updates from CISI’s Tracy Vegro OBE, Peter Watkins of CFA Institute, Leanne Williams of Financial Solutions, with further contributions from Quilter’s Penny Cole, Artemis’ Derek Stuart and AVI’s Joe Bauernfreund landing tomorrow to complete the series.
Our thanks go to all of them for taking the time to share their insights and also for everything that they are doing to support more and more talented individuals in their quest for a rewarding career in this fabulous profession of ours.
The message coming through loud and clear to us this week is simple: if investment management wants to thrive in the decades ahead, it must continue investing in people today and not rely on AI or LLMs to do that work for us. Yes, technology can and will play a hugely important supporting role, but in the end, it’s a people business and it’s those people who really matter most.
