Speaking at last week’s AGM, the society’s chair, Hilary Eastman, CFA, noted that the society performed well in the year to end of June 2024, but remains in something of a transition. While we had forecast a loss, the society made an operating profit of £95k (down on last year’s £414k) and experienced a 6% increase in net assets to close to £8.5m largely due to investment gains and interest income.
In terms of delivering on our mission to educate, connect and inspire the investment community to build a sustainable future, the society also performed well seeing good volumes in the IMC (as it closes on its 30th year) and launching our new Certificate in Impact Investing. We have also experienced increasing levels of member engagement, particularly from those in their first and second years of membership, driven by our focus on ‘We Grow Talent’.
As well as thanking CFA Institute for its investment in its own programmes – the CFA Program in particular – and research, Hilary also took time to thank Will Goodhart, the society’s chief executive for his efforts over the 18 years since he joined the society. Will steps down next March and Hilary remarked on the leading role that CFA UK now has in the global network. She said, ‘the UK society inspires other societies – they look up to us and want to learn from us. That is a testament to all of us in this room, and the many who are not here tonight, but much of it comes down to Will’s commitment, dedication, passion and vision.’
The AGM also marked the retirement of Gillian Elcock from the society’s Board and the appointment of Mark Pryce. Gillian has served on the Board for six years, has been the chair of the Networks Steering Committee, Special Interest Group (or SIG) council and co-chair of research analysts SIG. Mark is the Vice Chair of the Finance Committee and is currently the Finance Director of Sustainable Development Capital ("SDCL").
Hilary closed her comments by remarking that ‘volunteers are the lifeblood of CFA UK…Every one of our volunteers plays a critical part in helping us meet our We Grow Talent promise and achieving our mission. The talent pool that we have available to us is incredible and always equal to any request that we make of it. Our job is to make sure that we do that well and give it the resources it needs to see a job through.’
About Mark Pryce
Mark has over 20 years’ experience in the investment banking, asset management and real estate industries having worked in London, New York, Cape Town and Johannesburg. Mark is currently the Finance Director of Sustainable Development Capital ("SDCL"). SDCL is a multinational asset manager that specialises in environmental infrastructure, energy efficiency and decarbonisation. He has extensive experience in asset management, corporate finance and capital raising and specialises in multinational corporate structures and tax.
Mark is also a Board member of the Quintin Hogg Trust, a charity supporting the advance of education of students at the University of Westminster and is a qualified chartered accountant as well as being a CFA charter holder and has a Business Science (Business Finance Honours) degree from the University of Cape Town.
About CFA UK
CFA UK is a diverse community of 12,000 investment professionals. We are part of the worldwide network of CFA Institute member societies. We grow talent by educating, connecting and inspiring investment professionals to build a sustainable future.