Bridging the gap: How do we prepare the next generation of talent to be ‘skills ready’ for a career in investment management?

Please note that this event will now be hosted on Zoom. Once you register, you will be emailed the Zoom link and further instructions. 

The investment management sector is changing at pace. The skills we will need from our future workforce are different than what we needed pre-pandemic. World class data, cyber and digital skills will be paramount to the industry’s success, especially in relation to the fast developing ESG market.

It’s not just about what we need, but also how the sector plays a role in supporting our future talent pipeline to develop these skills here in the UK. Our role as a world leading industry compels us to contribute to the skills development of young people, ensuring they remain economically active and contribute to UK plc.

Join us to discuss these critical talent and skills issues. The event will:

• Provoke thought and debate on the skills the investment management sector will need future employees to hold – including ESG, digital, data, cyber – and prepare their businesses accordingly.
• Highlight how the industry can better partner with government, the education sector, and other stakeholders to help arm young people with the desired skills so that they can secure employment and help businesses thrive going forward.

We will be joined by a panel of skills and talent experts, providing insights from their professional practice.

Panellists, moderated by Karis Stander, Director - Culture, Talent & Inclusion, MD, Investment20/20 include:

Caireen Mitchell, Principal & CEO, Croydon College

Caireen has over 20 years’ experience in the education sector, and since 2017 has been Principal & CEO of Croydon College – comprised of Croydon College, Croydon University Centre, and Coulsdon Sixth Form College (since merger in 2019).

Prior to joining Croydon College, Caireen was Group Director of Planning and Performance at the Capital City Colleges Group, and pre-merger (with Capital City Colleges Group) held the post of Director of Strategy and Performance at Westminster Kingsway College.

Croydon College provides high quality education for all ages, and those from various walks of life - Caireen has long expressed her passion for the impact education has to change lives, and create futures. This is reflected in the College’s vision and strategy, with local employers and other stakeholders playing a key role in the College’s continued success.

Nick Riddle, Director, Department for Work and Pensions

Nick joined the Department for Work & Pensions in June 2018 as West Midlands Group Director, having worked in various Government departments and the private sector.  

He led our national working age benefit lines, overseeing organisational redesign and performance improvement, as demand for the service saw its highest proportionate increase due to covid.

Nick led the National Employer & Partnership Team against a backdrop of increased demand, before leading the Kickstart scheme at deputy director level and then as Delivery Director, becoming SRO from July.

Nick was appointed as Area Director Work and Health Services for Central England in January.

Carmel Grant, Deputy Director for Technical Education & Implementation at the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education

Carmel Grant is a Deputy Director at the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) leading on the implementation of technical qualification reforms.

She joined IfATE in 2018 and leads the development programmes for T Levels, the first of which were launched in 2020, and Higher Technical Qualifications, which are rolling out from 2022.

Following an initial career in banking, Carmel joined the Civil Service and worked in a range of accountancy, policy, programme management and project roles across the Ministry of Defence.

Prior to joining IfATE she worked at the British Army Headquarters with responsibility for delivering transformation programmes.

Dipi McKernan, Executive Board Member, Chief Operating Officer, Fidelity Holdings

Dipi McKernan joined Fidelity International in 2019 and is an Executive Board Member and Chief Operating Officer of Fidelity Holdings Limited. Dipi is also the Global Head of Fidelity International’s First Line Risk and Regulatory Solutions functions. Dipi has over 25 years’ experience in the financial services industry and has held senior roles at the FCA, Barclays and Deutsche Bank. Dipi is an advocate for Diversity and Inclusion, and was the Executive Champion for Race at both the FCA and Deutsche Bank. At Fidelity International Dipi is the Executive co-Sponsor for Social Mobility and is listed in Involve Heroes top 100 Executive Role Models for 2022.

Dipi is a Director and Steering Group Member of “Progress Together” – a membership body that drives socio-economic diversity at senior levels across UK financial services. Launched by the Lord Mayor of the City of London, the body is a key output of the Government commissioned, City of London Corporation led, Taskforce on Socio-Economic Diversity. Dipi was an active member of the Taskforce and instrumental in the development of Progress Together, as part of a group of 30 industry leaders chosen to make a difference and promote social mobility across the UK financial and professional services sector.

Karis Stander, Director - Culture, Talent & Inclusion, MD, Investment20/20 

Karis leads the Culture, Talent and Inclusion team at the Investment Association supporting members in driving a forward looking, responsible and inclusive industry that attracts, develops and retains talented people from all backgrounds, from early careers through to senior leaders.  She is the MD of Investment20/20, the IA’s multi-award winning talent solution, that has enabled more than 2,000 young people from a diversity of backgrounds to start their careers in the industry.

09.00am: Event commences
10.00am: Close