The Guild of Investment Managers

The Guild of Investment Managers was founded by a group of investment manager in 2015 designed to enhance professional engagement, foster industry understanding, and support charitable initiatives.

The Guild is driven by both active and retired members of the investment management community who volunteer their time to support the growth and development of their peers. Formed by and for investment management professionals, the Guild stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and tradition in advancing the industry.

In an interview with Melissa Longley, chief investment officer of Longley Asset Management and immediate past master of the guild, and Julian Samways, court assistant and joint-lead for PR & Comms for the Guild of Investment Managers
we were able to find out more: 

What made the Guild founders want to mix modern networking with traditional values in investment management?

Fellowship, or networking as it is now more usually referred to, has always been at the heart of the Livery Community and, therefore, was something that the Guild founders very much wished to incorporate and enable, so that Guild members can support and learn from one another.
Traditional values are also incorporated in other Guild activities, such as promoting education – particularly of our industry developments – and giving back to the community, which is achieved via the Guild’s associated Charitable Trust (the Investment Managers’ Charitable Trust/IMCT).
Another example includes the tradition of military affiliations. These provide opportunities for Guild members to support the shared values as well as connect with and learn from members of our serving community.
And an example of more-wider Livery fellowship and the sharing of expertise, is the Guild’s membership of the Livery Climate Action Group (LCAG). The LCAG was founded in 2021 and provides invaluable support for Livery Companies and Guilds in their journeys toward net-zero emissions. https://liverycag.org.uk/

How does the Guild help society through charity work? Can you give some examples?

Guild members are very much encouraged to support the aims and work of its associated charity, the IMCT. The majority of donated funds received to date have come from Guild members and their associated firms.
IMCT’s principal activity is offering bursaries to young people who wish to have a career in investment/asset management but face challenges and do not have the financial means or connections to study for an entry-level qualification. Successful bursary recipients are, for the period of their studies for the entry-level qualification, matched to and supported by a suitable mentor who is a member of the Guild which we have found is invaluable to recipients.
IMCT also supports a number of charitable enterprises which includes the Lord Mayor’s Appeal. It has the strategic aim of creating ‘A Better City for All’ that is inclusive, healthy, skilled and fair which very much fits in with the values of the IMCT.

The IMCT also supports the inter-livery food initiative, City Harvest. During Lockdown, the Livery Companies supported people facing food poverty across London by making meals for City Harvest to distribute via the Livery Kitchen Initiative. The Livery Food Initiative continues the relationship by providing funding to keep City Harvest vans running and thus to reduce food poverty. Since City
Harvest’s establishment in 2014, over 22,000 tonnes of surplus food have been rescued, 55,000 nutritious meals have been delivered to London’s more deprived areas, and over 82,000 tonnes of GHG emissions have been prevented. https://cityharvest.org.uk/livery-food-initiative/
Finally, the IMCT also supports the Livery Schools Link which works with Guilds/Livery Companies and schools to benefit young people in education and holds in Guildhall a two day annual career showcase (The London Careers Festival) for primary and secondary school students. https://liveryschoolslink.org.uk/

How does the Guild help its members grow personally and professionally in investment management?

Members of the Guild enjoy and benefit from the diverse programme of events which include professional development talks and/or panel discussions on industry topics, as well as the opportunity to hear from leading industry speakers at the formal dinners. In addition, there are regular social networking events, and organised visits to places of interest in the City and Guild members also have opportunities to network and interact with other professionals across the Livery Financial Services Group. https://liverycommittee.org/about/livery-companies-and-guilds/financial-services-group/
Importantly, the Guild’s charity activities through IMCT are a unique opportunity to contribute to ensuring wider diversity of access to the investment management industry and broader charity initiatives.

How does the Guild plan to promote diversity and inclusion, especially for women and underrepresented communities?

All investment management professionals over the age of 18 are eligible to join our Guild membership, and we welcome applicants at all stages of their careers from the UK and overseas providing they have relevant investment qualifications, long-term experience, or work in the non-traditional areas of our industry such as hedge funds and private equity/venture capital.
The Guild’s current membership is 25% female, which is double the industry average.
And through its association with the IMCT, it aims, among others, to broaden equitable access to our industry, through bursaries to young people who desire to work in our industry but do not have the opportunities or financial means to achieve an entry-level qualification.

Can you give examples of how the Guild has promoted diversity and inclusion within its own organisation?

The Guild has a good mix of diversity at Court (Board) and Committee level. The Guild’s fifth Master was the first female to hold that position of Office. Subject to election, the next female Master will take Office in July 2025, and there are others in the pipeline. Of the Guild’s 4 Committees, 2 are chaired by female members. The Guild also has a good mix of younger members, with 15% of the current membership being under 35. This is one of the highest percentages of young members among the Livery Community.

The Guild is keen to further promote diversity and inclusion and in 2023 developed a DE&I Survey for its members, with the intention of better understanding and tracking the Guild’s membership in terms of social mobility, neuro and protected diversity characteristics.

What inspired the creation of the Investment Managers’ Charitable Trust?

The Guild’s founders and founding members had a strong desire to give back to the community via charitable activities associated to our industry and the City of London. Charitable or philanthropic giving is one of the ‘pillars’ or essential structures of the Livery community and its traditions hence the IMCT. The Guild aims to progress its status, and become first a Company and then a Livery Company, ensuring investment management has a place commensurate with its importance to the City of London enhancing its ability to raise further charitable funds accordingly. Becoming a Livery Company will also enable our members who are Freeman, and who progress to become Liverymen, to engage in the governance of the City of London and to participate in its important elections.

How does the IMCT raise funds to support its objectives?

As mentioned above, the majority of donated funds received to date have come from Guild members and their associated firms. But we recently undertook an exciting fundraising initiative with The Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute. Keen to improve diversity in the investment management industry, they partnered with the IMCT and Guild to host a major fundraising dinner in the City. With a wide range of leading investors from the industry globally it was a huge success both in terms of funds raised but also in achieving wider recognition of the values and objectives of the IMCT.

Could you describe the process for individuals or organisations to apply for support from the Investment Managers’ Charitable Trust?

Applications for bursaries or other support are made directly to the charity via the Hon Secretary. secretary@investmentcharity.org.uk

How do people find out more about assisting the IMCT in its charitable work?

Anyone interested in assisting the IMCT and its charitable work can find out more via the website: https://investmentcharity.org.uk/donations/

How do people find out more about joining the Guild of Investment Managers?

More information on Guild membership, the benefits, and how to join can be found on the Guild’s website. Enquiries to the current Master, Deputy Henry Pollard CC (Common Councillor of the City of London Corporation), can be made via the Clerk at clerk@guildofinvestmentmanagers.co.uk

We were able to see the guild in action (GIM) as it embarked on a partnership with The Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute and IMC to host its inaugural Charity Dinner. The dinner aimed to provide additional bursaries to young individuals with the aim of improving diversity in the investment management industry.