Female Funds Director Course Culminates.

A ten week Funds Director Course that I ran recently came to a close last night with a certificate presentation ceremony for all participants. 

Following an event to celebrate International Women’s Day earlier this year, I wanted to do something practical about gender equality. Having been involved in the local Funds industry for over 20 years, and having recently completed the Certified Investment Fund Director (CIFD) course, I worked with Jo Abergel of Rock Learning to put together a course covering all the main elements of which board directors need to be aware.

Women are vastly under-represented at this level, yet it has been shown that greater diversity on boards leads to better decisions and results in better outcomes and greater profits for the company.

The 12 participants came from a variety of backgrounds and covered topics including the different funds regimes in Gibraltar, Directors’ Duties, Regulation, Custody, Board Dynamics, the role of the Transfer Agency and Crypto Funds. Each week looked at a different theme and several guest speakers (including some of the course participants) delivered their topic of expertise. Participants additionally completed a Personal Statement and a Course Journal, where they highlighted their learning and were encouraged to challenge any points with which they disagreed. Certificates were awarded to all delegates.

This was the first time a Funds course had been devised specifically according to local legislation and guidelines, I very much hope we can develop the programme and open it out to a wider audience. 

My warm congratulations to Jo Abergel, Meera Aswani, Rachel Bitan, Jeanine Brink Charvetto, Abigail Cornelio, Caroline Lane, Lesley Louise, Anju Mahbubahni, Ayelet Mamo Shay, Kirsty Neale, Tania Rahmany and Pallavi Reddy. It was a huge pleasure to work with you all.