CFA Institute Board of Governors meet in Dubai to set direction for the investment profession

The meeting will bring together some of the leading figures in the global investment community to discuss the financial market crisis and give strategic direction to CFA Institute and the investment profession. The meeting will also be the first Board of Governors meeting for the recently appointed President and CEO, John Rogers, CFA.

John Rogers said

"The rapid rise to prominence of the region for financial markets coupled with the growing number of investment professionals taking the CFA Program across the Middle East region make it appropriate for CFA Institute to hold its Board of Governors meeting here. We now have over 100,000 members in 134 countries, including 950 members and 4,400 CFA Program registrations across the region. In addition, CFA Institute has recruited its first expert in Islamic Finance and through its policy arm, the CFA Institute Centre for Financial Market Integrity, is working closely with regulatory authorities in the region on issues such as financial ethics."

The investment community will be represented by attendees from around the world including: Brian Singer, CFA, Independent Investor and the former head of Global Investment Solutions and Americas Chief Investment Officer for UBS Global Asset Management, Thomas Welch, CFA, Wells Capital Management (Minneapolis, USA), Emilio Gonzalez, CFA, Perpetual (Sydney, Australia) Saeed Al-Hajeri, CFA, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Abu Dhabi, UAE), Pierre Cardon, CFA, Bank of International Settlement (Basel, Switzerland), Jane Shao, CFA, Istithmar World Capital (Beijing, China), Roger Urwin, Watson Wyatt Worldwide (London, UK) and CFA Institute President, John Rogers, CFA,.

The meeting will reflect the global threats and opportunities facing the investment profession including how CFA Institute should set its membership apart from rogue operators like Madoff. It will also set direction for the core disciplines of CFA Institute in the areas of ethics, education, advocacy and member services.

Mr Brian Singer, CFA, chair of CFA Institute said: "There has never been a more important time for CFA Institute and its members to step up their game as all aspects of the financial services industry come under scrutiny. We must embrace these challenging times and demonstrate how CFA Institute members, with their commitment to ethics and raising professional standards, will play a leading role in restoring trust and integrity in financial markets".

Mr Yacoub Nuseibeh, CFA, chair of the Emirates CFA Society said: "The meeting provides the opportunity for both CFA Institute Board of Governors and local investment professionals to work together to serve client interests and set best practice for the financial markets. Holding the meeting here in Dubai also recognises the progress we have made to establish an investment profession that will support the future development of financial services in the region.

Mr Rogers concluded: "The financial markets have some fundamental challenges ahead but with the strength of 100,000 committed investment professionals, sharing in the mission to maintain the highest ethical standards on behalf of their clients, CFA Institute and its membership is strongly placed to work with governments, regulators and the industry to improve reputation and support the development of economic prosperity".