History of CFA UK

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  1955: Society of Investment Analysts incorporated on the 9th of May at 4 Throgmorton Avenue.

  1958: Formation of first formal committees (technical studies, programme and membership).  

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  1960: First regulatory outreach with submissions to the Jenkins Committee on Company law. 

  1961: The Investment Analyst is launched. 

  1962: Society begins formal cooperation with continental European analyst groups, leading to the formation of EFFAS. Niels Taube suggests the Society works on technical qualifications and standards. 

  1964: Informal meeting with Harold Wilson before he wins the October election. 

  1965: Talks with LBS and the City Poly about promotion of a course on investment analysis at the school.  

  1966: Society representatives attend American annual congress. 

  1968: Increasing pressure for the development of an examination, to include a code of ethics.  

  1969: Harold Wincott dies and the Society supports establishment of Wincott Foundation. 

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  1971: First consideration of charitable status. 

  1972: First draft syllabuses for diploma examination published, but no sittings until 1977.

  1973: Society expands activities to include portfolio management and investment analysis.  

  1975: Membership falls due to 'strained circumstances in the City'. Office moves from Holborn Viaduct to Bromley.  

  1976: Council agrees that it is 'essential to concentrate the Society's efforts over the next year towards turning investment analysis into a learned profession', considering a possible entry examination to the Society.

  1977: Submission to Wilson Committee about channeling savings and investment into trade and industry. 

  1978: Council reviews US federation's code and standards. First consideration of standardised definition for EPS. 

  1979: Scottish referendum creates rail chaos and interferes with events programme.  

   

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  1980: Society pays £400 for a typewriter. First Fellows appointed by election. Code of Conduct published.  

  1981: Society issues guidelines on insider trading. 

  1982: Society feeds into Gower report on investor protection and the control of the investment management profession. 

  1983: Concerns over declining attendance at company presentation meetings.

  1984: Society supports the Stock Exchange's development of its 100 index. 

  1986: First Council concerns about the Associate exams being 'sandwiched' between low standard stock exchange qualifications and the CFA.

  1987: Society holds an event on short termism. Associate exams refreshed and updated to be comprehensive and rigorous. 

  1989: First issue of Professional Investor published. Irish Society set up under EFFAS. 

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  1991: Work begins on a competence exam for IMRO. Society buys a computer for £4,635.  

  1992: The Society of Investment Analysts changes its name to the Institute for Investment Management and Research.

  1993: The IMC is accepted by the regulator IMRO as the benchmark examination for investment management.  

  1994: Council concerned with PI and considerations about applying for chartered status and charitable status.  

  1995: Council decides to relocate office back to the City. David Damant is appointed chairman of EFFAS. 

  1996: Sir David Dobson appointed secretary-general taking over from Tony Newman who had served in that role for 19 years. IIMR moves to Ironmonger Lane.  

  1997: Discussions around a new EFFAS common European qualification focuses Council's mind on the need to address competition with the CFA Program. 

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  2000: Merger with the London Society of Investment Professionals. First meeting of the UK Society of Investment Professionals (UKSIP).  

  2001: Boards merge and the Society works to develop new structures and processes. 

  2002: AIMR opens European office in London.  

  2004: Society moves to Basinghall Street. IMC membership category launched.

  2005: Society celebrates its 50th anniversary.  

  2006: IMC moves to computer-based assessment. Society responds to FSA proposals to deregulate training and competence.

  2007: Name change to CFA Society of the UK. Annual charterholder ceremony introduced. CFA candidate membership relaunched. 

  2008: Membership tops 8,000. 

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  2010: IMC upgraded to Ofqual Level 4 to meet RDR requirements. 

  2011: CFA UK recognized as an accredited body by the FSA and issues Statements of Professional Standing. 

  2012: Society launches its Valuation Index and journalism awards. 

  2014: CPD platform launched. Ethics Committee and Women's Network established. Ambassador programme initiated. 

  2015: Society celebrates 60th anniversary.