Note from your President, Eugene Kiernan FCSI
Well, as we all know it’s been a year like no other! I feel that our industry and our Institute has faced, and risen to, challenges that we would never have envisaged.
For our part in Ireland, after our first (and last) physical event at the start of the year, we moved into the virtual world and in fact delivered what I think were very innovative and timely sessions. As well as high engagement from our own members, for the first time perhaps we reached out to a global audience throughout Europe, Africa and Asia. In terms of speakers and panellists I was delighted to continue our partnership with the Central Bank of Ireland as well as working for the first time with the IDA and the 30% Club. Our chat with two time Olympian Neville Maxwell was also a highlight of the year.
I would like to thank all the firms and individuals who helped us in these endeavours.
I believe that 2020, for many of our members, has shown the value of the strength and breadth of our CISI TV offering and indeed all the virtual material on our site.
Still... still I long to get back to the “real world “ and meeting members and guests in person.
We are working on an exciting program of events to build on the success of 2020 and I believe that before too long these events will come with a cup of coffee!
I would like to thank our National Advisory Council for unrelenting support and hard work. On their behalf, on behalf of our members, and my own I would like to sincerely thank our country executive Deirdre Heffernan for quite simply keeping the show on the road - which requires a very wide range of skills!
New National Advisory Council Members
We were delighted to welcome two new NAC members during the year. Clark Elder, Chartered FCSI, Country Head of Compliance & MLRO at RBC Investor & Treasury Services, and Noel McMonagle ACSI, Account Manager at Citi. Noel has taken on a Social Media role for the NAC.
2020 Events
The CISI moved to a virtual events programme to continue to meet your CPD requirements and together increase our knowledge, build new skills and shine a spotlight on integrity and ethical behaviour. CISI Ireland, with the help of your National Advisory Council members, ensured that we maintained our own programme on topics which are relevant, timely and topical by leading industry experts in their respective fields. We have run 7 events this year with our only physical event in January, on sustainable investment by Des Lawrence, Senior Investment Strategist, at State Street Global Advisors. Moving to a virtual platform, we then hosted six further events with the added benefit of attracting CISI members around the globe. Our event with Jim Power in June, Rebuilding the world - Investment in the new landscape, holds the CISI record for the largest audience at over 300 attendees on the day.
We were delighted to welcome Neville Maxwell, ex-Olympic rower for an insight on business lessons from Sport, transferable skills and high performance culture.
Our final event of the year focussed on gender diversity and the role financial services can play in moving the agenda forward. George Littlejohn graciously hosted a lively and informed debate with panellists from the 30% Club, Legal & General Investment Managers and the London School of Economics. This is a subject we will be returning to. Events are recorded and available to view on CISI TV.
Book Competition
A great response to our recent book competition, thank you to all those who entered. The fastest responses came in from John Shanahan and Paul Duke and who have received a copy of “Fundamentals of Investing - a practitioner’s guide” by Brian O’Loughlin and Frank O’Brien.
CISI and IFS Skillnet
We are delighted to have been successful in our recent tender to have the CISI’s Investment Operations Certificate included in the training programmes approved by the IFS Skillnet. Also approved was Combating Financial Crime & Managing Cyber Security exams and Risk in Financial Services and some of our Professional Refresher e-learning modules. Contact deirdre.heffernan@cisi.org for more details.
Ireland LinkedIn
Have you joined the CISI Ireland LinkedIn Network? Until we can safely host our events in person again, we want to provide our members with a platform to network with their fellow CISI members in Ireland.