Routes to the Top - Investment Management

11/10/2017

The CFA Institute Magazine article below sets out the routes to the C-suite for seven investment management professionals. Entitled “What Does It Take to Reach the Executive Level?” it covers career histories and tips from individuals who now fill roles like Chief Investment Officer, president, Chief Operating Officer, and CEO/co-founder.

A broad range of starting points for these individuals, including accounting, computer science, economics, mathematics, and finance/investments itself. And, interestingly, a number of them passed through management consulting during their respective careers.

The article also touches on themes like:

continuous learning (including learning from others)
intellectual curiosity
client-orientation
technological disruption and innovation
communication and other soft skills
the value of mentoring

"What Does It Take to Reach the Executive Level?" www.cfapubs.org/doi/full/10.2469/cfm.v28.n3.3

2 Comments

David

11/10/2018 12:52:19

Interesting that several of those paths include a stint at a consulting firm. I wonder what the balance is between skills and experience gained, and brand recognition or "halo effect" enabling a move into the C-suite?

[This is a repost of a comment on the LinkedIn version of this article]

Bradley

11/10/2018 17:28:07

Good question - definitely a combination, but not sure of their relative importance. I'd think that the networks formed while consulting and the selection effect (management consultancies tend to hire more self-assured and assertive personalities, who by their nature are more likely to power through to the C-suite) also contribute.

[This is a repost of a comment on the LinkedIn version of this article]

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