CISI branch network launches in Essex with The Great EU Referendum Debate

By Lora Benson | May 26, 2016

The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) branch network in the UK has been further expanded to 24, with its Essex branch inaugural meeting on “The Great EU Referendum debate and its impact on the financial services sector.”

CISI launches its newest branch in Essex where it has more than 1,000 members, students and apprentices and the launch event will take place on Tuesday 14 June 2016 at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford.

The launch event will include a question-time style debate on the EU Referendum with a mix of speakers from political and financial services backgrounds. The panel will include:

Those supporting Brexit:

  • Lord Flight, House of Lords
  • Caroline Stephens, Campaign Activist Manager, Vote Leave

Those supporting the Remain campaign:

  • Charlotte Black MCSI, Director WMA & Independent Public Affairs Consultant
  • Graham Bishop, Chairman – Consultancy on EU Integration, Budgetary, Economic, Political
  • Julian Samways, Founder and Managing Director, JPES Partners

The debate will be chaired by Dr Peter Westaway, Chief European Economist, Vanguard Asset Management.

With more than 40,000 members the CISI is a global organisation with representative offices in financial centres including Dublin, Singapore, Mumbai, Dubai, Colombo and Manila and sets examinations and offers qualifications for those working, or looking to establish a career, in the securities, investment, wealth and financial planning professions.

Clive Shelton Chartered FCSI of International Financial Data Services, the CISI Essex branch President and Chairman of the CISI Examination Board, said: “The new branch will bring together the great pool of talent we have in Essex, to further promote and support careers in financial services, with the CISI ensuring a mark of quality amongst firms.”

Sean Condon CFPTM Chartered MCSI, the CISI branch CPD Officer, said: "We look forward to running a programme of events, focusing on members continuing professional development needs and provide networking opportunities. We also aim to work with students to help them build careers in financial services and will liaise closely with schools, colleges and universities to support teaching staff.”

Professor Neil Kellard, Head of the Essex University Finance Group and a member of the branch committee, said: “We are looking forward to a lively debate on whether the UK should stay or leave the EU and we will be using interactive voting before and after the debate to find out whether the evening’s arguments sways voters’ opinions."

The CISI is supporting the Government initiatives on Apprenticeships in Financial Services and its qualifications are now available as technical units for seven different financial services apprenticeships. The professional body has also been working with groups of employers to develop bespoke apprenticeships for the financial services sector.

Those wishing to attend this event should email region@cisi.org