Jonathan Fielding, Co-founder of the Business School Student Investment Fund at the launch evening
A team of Masters students have collaborated to create and launch the Business School’s first student-led investment fund.
The Imperial College Business School Student Investment Fund has been established by students from the Business School’s MSc Investment and Wealth Management, and the MSc Finance & Accounting programmes with the aim of equipping students with the necessary practical skills to work in a buy-side role within the financial sector. These roles involve advising companies concerned with buying investment services such as private equity funds, insurance and pension funds.
The students will manage £100,000 in assets and the fund will provide students with another method of learning financial skills, in addition to the content of their degree programmes. By working with external companies, the investment fund will also help to connect ambitious students with potential future employers.
Watch the students talking about the new investment fund in this video.
Jonathan Fielding, current MSc Investment and Wealth Management student and Co-CEO of the investment fund, said: “We came together to create this fund because we shared an interest in investing, wanted to learn more and challenge ourselves. There are many changes currently taking place in the asset management world and it is important that the Business School has responded by enabling us to introduce a high profile initiative of this kind.
“The fund focuses on equipping students with skills necessary to be successful as an equity analyst, quantitative research analyst or asset manager.”
Students who engage with the fund will benefit from practicing both quantitative and fundamental strategies, in line with emerging trends in the buy-side market and the opportunity to work with start-ups and new research projects. They will also benefit from industry-led training workshops and receive support from an Industry Relations Network & Fund Alumni Network as well as an external advisory board.
The money comes from the College and from donors and any money made by the students from their investments are to be reinvested back into the fund.
To oversee the fund’s operations and practices, the students will be supported by a faculty-led Investment Committee and an Advisory Board made up comprised of established industry figures.
“The creation of this fund is a tremendous achievement for the students and the Business School." Professor Francisco Veloso Dean, Imperial College Business School
The creation of the fund was announced at an event held at the Business School last week, which was attended by Imperial faculty, students, alumni and corporates.
Speaking at the event, Professor Francisco Veloso, Dean of Imperial College Business School said:
“The creation of this fund is a tremendous achievement for the students and the Business School. I believe that we, as educators, are doing a good job when we create platforms and environments which encourage students to take the initiative to run with an idea. Business schools should strive to elicit this forward-thinking and exploration from their students, and support them wherever possible.”
Davide Sciuto, current MSc Investment and Wealth Management student and Co-CEO of the investment fund said:
“The creation and support of the fund by Imperial College Business School proves how well student initiatives are welcomed by the school. We hope this project can be an inspiration for future students.”
Further information about the Imperial College Business School Student Investment Fund and its activities can be found via the Business School website.
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Reporter
Laura Singleton
Communications Division
