By Lora Benson
The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) pledges its support for the landmark Financial Services Commission’s (FSSC) Skills Compact launched 14 July.
As the UK’s leading professional body in financial services, representing 57,000 global members in financial planning, wealth management and capital markets, the CISI welcomes the opportunity to add its supporting signature to the Skills Compact.
The Compact is backed by over 20 financial services firms, including CISI members. All are committing to investing in their people, developing talent pipelines and collaborating to close the sector’s skills gaps so that it continues to thrive and is future fit to meet the challenges of new and emerging technology.
With financial services playing a key role in driving UK economic growth, as an employer of around one million people in the UK the sector is at a crucial moment navigating technological and demographic change.
Mandy Gill, CISI Executive Director of Learning said: “As part of the HMT Steering Group, we welcome the opportunity to support the Financial Services Skills Compact on behalf of our members, stakeholders and the future talent coming through, who are critical to the lifeblood of our profession.
“Financial services play a vital role in the UK economy, and its future depends on the talent, skills and ambition of the people within it. I'm delighted to have been involved in the development of the skills compact, which provides a clear statement of shared intent and a basis for collective action across the sector.
“Our sector is undergoing immense change, with AI at the forefront and customer confidence being central to the equation. Technological change in particular needs to go hand in hand with trust, with ethical frameworks being integral to both AI development and to our profession-wide skills and training. People are at the forefront of the skills evolution and we are here to support our members in navigating and leading those changes.
”The Financial Services Skills Compact is a testament to the power of joined up thinking between government, professional bodies and business. We look forward to working for our members across the UK regions as they upskill and reskill their people and deliver on the Compact’s goals.”
The compact is now available to CISI member firms and sector stakeholders and is expected to support further collaboration on education, skills development, recruitment, retention and progression.