Selection of new CFA Fellows shows focus on sustainability

Date: 10 Jan 2024

Ashleigh John

The CFA UK Fellowship designation (FSIP) is awarded to leading investment professionals who have made an outstanding contribution to the investment profession. Fellows embody the CFA’s mission, which is to educate, connect and inspire the investment community to build a sustainable future. The 7 new Fellows have a common denominator of involvement in sustainable investing.

Part of the now 98 Fellows, new Fellows drive professionalism across the investment sector. They’re changing the business model for investment consulting, holding the sector to account and implementing positive change across the investment businesses they have led. They are also characterised by their common involvement in aspects of sustainable investing.

The new Fellows are Sally Bridgeland; Graham Cook, CFA; Robert Gardner; Deborah Gilshan; Joanna Munro, ASIP; Paul Smith, CFA; and Gillian Tett. On the newly appointed Fellows, the CFA said: “Deborah Gilshan has demonstrated a deep commitment to corporate governance, investment stewardship, sustainability and DEI in all of her professional roles and has been a strong advocate for the role of asset owners in the investment chain. Joanna Munro has led the development of new investment capabilities focused on the transition to a net-zero economy. Sally Bridgeland led the investment consulting industry’s responsible investment journey, supported the actuarial profession’s embrace of sustainability and now chairs one of the leading sustainable investment firms. Rob Gardner has set up RedSTART, a leading financial literacy charity, and recently co-founded Earth Rebalance Earth, a fund to accelerate the flow of private capital to protect and restore nature at scale. Graham Cook, CFA is a past vice-chair of CFA UK and helped the society to focus its efforts in the sustainable investing space, while also contributing to the development of sustainable investing at the Environment Agency and now Phoenix. Paul Smith, CFA, was CEO of CFA Institute from 2015 to 2019, overseeing a period of rapid global expansion and the Institute’s first concerted efforts to incorporate sustainable investing considerations into its work. And Gillian Tett brought her knowledge of anthropology and finance to bear in reporting and writing on the investment world, including setting up the FT’s first dedicated coverage of sustainable investing in the Moral Money column.”

Richard Dunbar, CFA, FSIP, Chair of the Fellowship Committee commented: “We are always delighted to welcome new Fellows. Fellowship allows us to build and cement bonds with experienced individuals who have contributed significantly to the investment profession and can provide us with guidance and feedback. Professionalism and ethics remain critically important to the reputation and the proper functioning of our sector. All of our Fellows have demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism across their careers, notably with respect to sustainable investing.”

Will Goodhart, Chief Executive of CFA UK, added: “We’re honoured to be able to welcome this year’s new Fellows into the Fellowship. We have worked with all of them over recent years on different aspects of sustainability – from DEI, to nature, climate and impact – and across different channels – the media, professional bodies, NGOs, investment firms and our own organisation – and have benefited greatly from those associations. We are delighted to be able to give something back in the form of this recognition.”

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