CFA Society of the UK (CFA UK) has announced the pilot and pre-registration for its latest qualification, the Investment Business Award.
The award has been designed in response to growing demand from the investment industry for learning that supports the development of commercial and strategic awareness and operational understanding of the business of investment management.
The society writes that the new curriculum will help prepare successful candidates to deliver sharper performance and build stronger business relationships by seeing beyond their role, across the full range of activities of a commercial investment business.
The course will focus on how an investment business creates value, linking strategy, clients, operations and performance. In a fast-changing sector and business environment, it also considers opportunities and challenges amidst emerging trends, such as the growth of AI, tokenisation and cybersecurity.
The award, which aims to foster new and existing talent, is open to everyone but will initially target investment sector service providers, career transitioners from other sectors, recent industry entrants and those working in middle office and operational roles in investment firms.
Nick Bartlett, Chief Executive of CFA UK, says: “Investment industry leaders have told us their top priorities are building commercial and strategic fluency, enabling business agility and innovation. This new qualification will help foster new ways of thinking and working across every function of the investment business.
“Ultimately, we aim to enable individuals and teams to look beyond their own desk and consider the current and future strategic position of their business as a whole.”
This is a CFA UK Level 3 qualification, requiring approximately 90 hours of self-directed study, and will be assessed via a 75-minute exam.
The society writes that every new qualification from CFA UK undergoes a pilot stage to ensure that the depth, breadth and relevance of the syllabus, learning materials and assessment are robust, fit for purpose and set at an appropriate standard. Final sign-ups to the pilot are welcomed until the end of May 2026 with pilot examinations currently scheduled to take place in September. Those who pass the pilot examination will receive the CFA UK Level 3 Award in Investment Business.
The award itself is expected to be available for registration to all interested individuals and organisations from October 2026. Those who are interested in participating, can pre-register their interest at https://cfauk.sitecoresend.net/tv6t4i/investment-business-ryi
