An Introduction to Investment Management for Non-Investment Management Professionals

A Half-Day Course for Non-Investment Professionals in Investment Management

In the dynamic world of investment management, understanding the business context is essential, even if you're not directly involved in investment decisions. This engaging half-day session is designed to equip non-investment professionals with the foundational knowledge needed to navigate the industry with confidence and clarity.

Through a blend of expert-led teaching, real-world examples, and interactive discussion, participants will explore:

• Industry Structure and Key Players: Gain a clear overview of how investment management firms are organised, including the roles of asset managers, fund types, and the wider ecosystem that supports them.
• Commercial Drivers and Business Economics: Understand how value is created in investment management, how firms generate revenue, and the economic principles that underpin the industry's operations.
• Terminology and Jargon Demystified: Decode the language of investment management, from acronyms to technical terms, so you can engage more effectively with colleagues and clients.
• Cross-Functional Awareness: Explore how non-investment roles such as HR, compliance, operations, and executive support contribute to the success of the firm, and how greater business fluency enhances collaboration.

Ideal for Executive Assistants, Secretaries, HR professionals, and other support staff, as well as recent hires, this course offers practical insights to help participants thrive in their roles and feel more connected to the business they support.

This half-day course offers practical insights to help non-investment professionals build confidence and fluency in the investment management industry.

Whether you're supporting senior leaders, collaborating across departments, or just starting your career, you’ll walk away ready to:

• Understand the structure of the UK investment management sector and how key players operate
• Navigate industry jargon and terminology with greater ease and accuracy
• Recognise how different fund types serve a range of investor needs
• Engage more effectively with colleagues by understanding the commercial drivers of the business
• Stay informed on current trends shaping the future of investment management

9:30 – 11:00

Session 1: Understanding the Sector and Its Players

1. Sector Overview – What Is the Investment Industry?
• What do we mean by the investment industry?
• How capital flows from investors to companies/governments
• Investment industry vs. banking and insurance
• Overview of the City of London’s role as a global financial centre

2. Who’s Who – Key Players and What They Do
• Asset Managers
• Wealth Managers & Advisers
• Pension Funds & Insurance Firms
• Platforms & Distributors
• Custodians, Administrators and Depositaries
• Regulators

3. Talking the Talk – Jargon and Common Terms
• What is a fund? What is a mandate?
• Measuring investment performance
• Terms demystified: NAV, AUM, benchmark, alpha, beta, TER, ESG, UCITS, KYC etc.
• Interactive glossary quiz

11:00 – 11:15: Break 

11:15 – 12:45
Session 2: Fund Types, Investment Themes, Current Trends

4. Fund Structures and How They’re Used
• Open-ended funds (OEICs, unit trusts) vs. closed-ended funds (investment trusts)
• ETFs: what they are and why they matter
• Fund wrappers: UCITS, AIFs
• Real-world examples of fund factsheets and what to look for

5. Major Investment Themes and Styles
• Passive vs. active management
• ESG and responsible investing
• Growth vs. value investing
• The rise of thematic funds
• Diversification and basic asset allocation
• Case study: matching a fund to an investor’s goals

6. What’s Topical in the Investment Industry?
• Consumer Duty and investor protection
• The future of AI in the Investment industry
• Rise of private markets and alternative investments
• Regulatory developments: ESG disclosures, FCA priorities
• Industry challenges: fee pressure, market volatility, sustainable investing
• Group discussion: What surprised you most today? What trends will shape your career?

12:45 – 13:00
Wrap-Up & Q&A
• Key takeaways
• Career paths in the industry
• Q&A and open discussion
• Suggested resources

Jonathan Harrison

Investment Specialist | Emerging Markets Advisor | Industry Educator

Jonathan is a seasoned investment professional with over 30 years’ experience in institutional fund management and investment banking. His career spans public and private equity across developed and emerging markets, with a focus on client engagement, portfolio construction, and strategic analysis.

Career Highlights

• Managed Emerging Market and Asia Pacific funds at Cazenove Fund Management
• Global Head of Research at UBA Capital, leading frontier market strategy
• Founder of Frontier-Invest Ltd, advising firms on international capital raising
• Delivered training across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East in English and French

Training Expertise

• Private equity and venture capital
• Valuation techniques and co-investment strategies
• Joint ventures, IPOs, and investing in conflict zones
• Project finance fundamentals

Credentials

• Master’s degree from Edinburgh University
• Fluent in multiple languages
• Trusted advisor to DFIs, investment banks, insurers, and family offices

Jonathan’s sessions combine deep technical insight with global perspective, making complex topics accessible and actionable for professionals at all levels.

View Jonathan's LinkedIn Profile

This interactive session is ideal for:

• Executive Assistants, Secretaries, and support staff seeking a clearer understanding of the business they help drive
• New starters looking to build fluency in industry structure, terminology, and commercial context
• Professionals in HR, compliance, operations, and other non-investment roles aiming to strengthen cross-functional collaboration and client engagement

IA Member £395.00 +VAT
Non-Member £545.00 +VAT

Pay using a credit card online, or if you wish to be invoiced please email your full details to: Training@theia.org

PLEASE NOTE: Full payment for the course must be made prior to the course commencement date.

• Any cancellation must be made in writing.
• For all cancellation received 15-30 days prior to the course start date, 50% of the course fee is still payable.
• No refund is given for a cancellation made 14 days or less prior to the commencement of a course.
• Transferring from one course to another is treated as a cancellation. You can substitute one delegate for another at no additional cost. In this instance, please give two business days’ notice.