For Immediate Release: Wednesday 7 February 2001

INNOVATIVE AWARD PROGRAMME PROVES A HIT WITH INVESTMENT FUND COMPANIES

The pioneering Investment Administration Management Award (IAMA) has completed its first programme with great success. It was applauded by all participating management companies, who agree it was invaluable both to the staff attending the course and their own organisations.

This nationally accredited Award is revolutionary within the investment industry. Participants meet Award requirements through continual, on-the-job assessment rather than one-off examinations, and each candidate works under the direction and support of a personal ‘mentor’. The year-long programme is targeted specifically at investment administration staff who are on the fast-track to a more senior role.

David Jackman, Head of Industry Training at the FSA, joined the successful candidates at an awards ceremony, held by AUTIF on Friday 2 February. He congratulated the participants on their achievement and welcomed the industry’s initiative in introducing such work-based programmes. The candidates were presented with their certificates by Sue Prosser, General Manager of the Adult Learning Division at Edexcel.

Victoria Nye, Training and Education Director at AUTIF, commented:

"The Investment Administration Management Award concentrates specifically on transferring a participant’s skills to their workplace, which benefits both participant and organisation alike. It challenges candidates to be creative, to be commercially-minded and to take managerial decisions."

Stephanie Barnett, Head of Training & Competence at M&G and a mentor on the programme, commented:

"Our candidate has developed many new skills and the confidence to apply them to add real value to the department. He helped to reorganise the Settlements Team, enabling considerable savings and service improvements to be made."

Lisa Miles from Fidelity, who successfully achieved the Award, said:

"I thoroughly enjoyed the Programme. The Award is much more than just a qualification. It has accelerated my development and given me the confidence to use new skills at work."

The Award was introduced to develop and improve the management and business skills of administration staff, who have been identified as potential supervisors and managers. In addition to the ongoing course work, candidates must complete five assignments, set in conjunction with their line manager, and carry out a final project which focuses on a real business issue, specific to the participant’s organisation.

For further information please contact:

Victoria Nye, Training and Education Director, AUTIF - +44 (0)20 7831 0898
Rob Doughty, Principal Consultant, MDA - +44 (0)20 7233 9393
Clare Arber, PR Manager, AUTIF - +44 (0)20 7831 0898

Notes to Editors:

Participating companies: Fidelity, Gartmore, Lloyds TSB, M&G, Schroders

The Investment Administration Management Award is a joint-venture project between AUTIF; Edexcel, the leading awarding body; and MDA, a management development consultancy with expertise in delivering and administering such programmes. Successful participants are given a BTEC Professional Development Award.

Any readers interested in participating in the Award, should call Nicky Leadley at MDA on +44 (0)20 7233 9393.