Tuesday 9 September 2025

Author: Nick Bartlett, CFA, ASIP

Six months into my role at CFA UK, I’m both excited and energised by the opportunities and challenges ahead. 

I’ve spent these past months getting to know our Society better. Not just through reports and internal meetings with staff, but by truly listening to you, our members. Our mission to educate, connect, and inspire the investment profession has guided every step and, today, I want to share some of my observations as well as the work we’ve embarked on in my time here. 

Listening to You

The first, and perhaps most essential, part of my journey has been to listen. I made it a priority to hear directly from you - our members, candidates, and volunteers - to understand what needs to be our collective focus. I’ve gathered feedback that tells me we need to be closer to your experiences, ensuring that every initiative is rooted in genuine insight. Many of you have expressed a strong desire for more in-person events, where networking and learning can happen in richer, face-to-face interactions rather than solely online.

Additionally, it’s clear to me that our content needs to be more practical and applied. You want insights that you can implement immediately in areas like private markets, and you’ve highlighted the need to better serve segments of our community, particularly those later in their careers. There’s also a consensus for us to have a louder voice on industry issues and to boost communication and coordination across our volunteer community. These conversations are invaluable; they’re helping us target and personalise our propositions so that every member feels both understood and empowered.

I’m not stopping there. I’m implementing a regular touchpoint in the calendar called ‘CEO Connect’, where I invite you to pop by for lunch to tell me what makes you tick, and how we can help you navigate our profession more easily. You can sign up by booking onto one of our event pages. 

Strategic Initiatives

Working alongside our Board and the staffed office, I’ve been deeply engaged in refining our strategy to drive member satisfaction and engagement. One exciting development has been the work on  IMC Unit 3. It’s designed to equip investment professionals with a keen understanding of the business of investment management and the commercial realities their companies face—a tool that I believe will be incredibly relevant in today’s market. We’re also making strides in building new communities focused on private markets, aligning perfectly with themes from the Mansion House Accord which have come to the fore recently.

Our focus on strategy isn’t just about new products or communities. It’s about embedding a member-centric approach into every part of our operations. Our initiatives, including vibrant communities, mentoring programs, and flagship events like the Investment Talent Cconference, are all part of ensuring that CFA UK remains a trusted partner on your career journey.

Navigating Financial Challenges

While our strategic and member engagement efforts are thriving, we must also acknowledge the financial challenges. Our solid financial foundation, bolstered by the success of the Certificate in ESG Investing (now the Sustainable Investing Certificate), has been a beacon of strength. However, the recent global retrenchment in ESG investing is impacting our revenues. This reality has nudged us to think critically about how we develop new revenue streams while managing costs effectively.

We’re committed to turning these challenges into opportunities—ensuring that the financial health of our Society remains robust so that we can continue to invest in the initiatives that matter most to you.

Looking Ahead

I have a deep appreciation for our rich history and the engaged, diverse membership and volunteer base that drives CFA UK forward each day. I am committed to keeping this dialogue open, continuously listening, and adapting our strategies to meet your needs in an ever-evolving industry. The work over the past six months has been both enlightening and inspiring, and I am excited to build on this foundation as we move ahead together.

Over the next two to three months, we will be kicking off our financial modelling and careers skills pathways, running webinars on areas including intangible value and digital assets, and coordinating social events in Edinburgh and London. I look forward to meeting you at our AGM or a CEO Connect session, and please let me know if ever you have thoughts or feedback.