Understanding the Business of Retail Investment Fund Management Companies

A two-day course for managers and staff joining or working within the retail investment funds sector. It comprises a comprehensive overview of the successful operation of retail investment fund management businesses in the UK market, within an international context.

The course has been designed by Cadogan Financial Ltd and The Investment Association to address the needs of managerial level entrants to the retail investment fund management business and those who wish to gain a greater understanding of the range of activities undertaken within the sector. It comprises a concise yet comprehensive overview of the principles and mechanics underlying the successful operation of retail investment fund management businesses in the UK market within an international context. Prior knowledge of financial terminology is an advantage.

The course has proved invaluable to more than 1730 delegates who have attended since its launch in 2000, which includes repeat bookings from over 124 companies.

Pre-course Materials:
Participants will be provided with pre-course materials which comprise a basic guide to key roles and fund structures and a glossary of terms. This material should be studied prior to attending, otherwise maximum value may not be attained.

Course Work:
Delegates will be given a brief (maximum twenty minutes) overnight test to complete in time for day two, designed to test understanding of the valuation session on day one.

KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Understand the regulatory environment within which retail investment funds, their managers and service providers operate
• Be aware of different retail fund structures and their operational implications
• Comprehend key international and domestic trends and the impact of ‘wrappers’, taxation and accounting policies on retail funds
• Understand the mechanics of marketing, distributing, managing and administering retail investment funds
• Be aware of the connectivity of the business and influences on profitability

Day 1

09:00 Introduction to the course: objectives and outcomes; delegate objectives; context

10:00 How the investment fund management business works

10:45 Break

11:05 Fund operational structures and their implications

11:50 Regulatory framework and its implications

12:35 Lunch

13:35 Worldwide trends and the impact of ‘wrappers’

14:20 Investment styles and their implications

15:20 Break

15:40 Fund valuation: the key to funds’ operation

16:25 How funds are marketed and distributed

17.30 Close

Day 2

09:00 Fund charging and pricing structures

10:00 How sale and redemption works

10:45 Break

11:05 Key aspects of fund accounting

11:50 Fund taxation and why it matters

12:35 Lunch

13:35 Creating and managing different types of funds

14:20 Communicating with fund investors

15:05 Break

15:25 Building a successful investment fund business

16:10 Key fund information: exercise

16:30 Looking to the future

17:30 Close

IA Member £995.00 +VAT

Non-Member £1,200.00 +VAT

Payment for the course must be made in full before 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.

The trainers are Sally Buxton and Mark St Giles, directors of Cadogan Financial Ltd. Both have a proven industry track record and are experienced trainers. Mark has been both Chairman and Managing Director of asset management businesses and is an ex-Chairman of the Unit Trust Association, a predecessor organisation to The Investment Association. Sally has worked as a strategic adviser to governments, fund regulators, fund management companies and their trade associations and fund service providers internationally for over twenty years. They are the authors of Managing Collective Investment Funds (fifith edition published November 2017).

Those who would benefit from attending include managers working within the sector who wish to broaden or refresh their knowledge, management level new entrants, and employees on ‘fast track’ programmes working for:

• Fund management companies
• Fund service providers, such as custodians, trustees and depositaries, administrators and registrars
• Legal, accountancy, management consulting, IT and training firms providing services to the sector
• PR, marketing, advertising, direct mail, compliance and design firms working with fund management firms and their service providers
• Fund information providers and fund supermarkets and platforms
• Industry regulators in the UK and internationally, and Government departments e.g. HM Treasury and HM Revenue & Customs
• Companies that operate funds of funds