Funds by IOB: A Year in Review (July 2023 – June 2024)
Funds by IOB provide a suite of masterclasses related to funds and asset management, particularly to address the more technical aspects of the managerial functions, as defined by the Central Bank in the context of Fund Management Companies and AIFMs. The aim of each masterclass is to determine and develop best practice standards in the area of focus. The masterclass on Liquidity Risk Management was delivered, once again, in July and Fund Distribution in September. Other areas in planning mode at the moment are ETFs and this will hopefully be rolled out later in the year.
All IOB members, including those holding the Accredited Fund Professionals designation, were invited to a series of events throughout the year, including the recent CPD bootcamps. Others included:
Ethics – Finding your purpose and ethical voice
Mary Gordon, Deputy Registrar with IOB, provided an interactive session looking at professional purpose and what drives and motivates people in the workplace.
The Fast Development of AI
Dr Alessandra Sala, Senior Director of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science with Shutterstock, delved into the transformative effects of AI on society.
ELTIF 2.0 What's all the hype about
CAIA Ireland Chapter provided an enlightening panel discussion hosted in collaboration with IOB. Academic and legal practitioners delved into the revisions to the European Long-Term Investment Funds Regulation (ELTIF), shedding light on their potential impact on this often-overlooked fund structure.
2024 – New Year Financial Markets and Economic Update
IOB associate faculty member Kevin McConnell looked at the challenges and opportunities as the interest rate cycle switches and how the asset classes are likely to react.
Individual Accountability in the Financial Services sector
Dr Wieke Scholten and Dr Joe Mc Grath explored what behavioural effects could be expected from increasing individual accountability; what challenges may arise and what conditions could be considered by regulators as well as firms when working with / implementing / executing the IAR in practice.
AML Developments in an Irish Context
Karen Bissett, Head of Financial Crime Compliance/Group MLRO - Bank of Ireland, discussed the EU AML Reform package and what practical impact this will have on financial services firms. An expert panel discussion on Ireland’s AMLA bid and the significance of same for the Irish financial services sector. This expert panel probed the direction of travel for the industry against this new regulatory backdrop as well as key concerns and challenges which this regulatory horizon might present.
Funds and Asset Management Forums – Regional Events 2024
IOB was delighted to host the inaugural regional Funds and Asset Management Forums in both Cork and Limerick earlier this year.
The IOB Fund and Asset Management Cork Forum took place in February 2024 in Cork Opera House in association with Cork Financial Services Forum. Topics for discussion included factors currently impacting, or likely to impact the sector in the future including the Individual Accountability Regime and the ongoing review of the Irish industry by the Department of Finance – Fund Sector 2030.
We were delighted to have Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath TD, Seana Cunningham, Director of Enforcement and Anti-Money Laundering, Central Bank of Ireland, Karen Conboy, KPMG Partner and Chair of the Cork Financial Services Forum, Eoin FitzGerald, Principal and Country Head, Brown Brothers Harriman, Eoin Motherway, INED and Natalie Field, Client Reporting Manager at Carne Group join IOB for the first regional event in Cork.
Attendance was overflowing in the Cork Opera House and we look forward to returning next year!
A month later in March, the second regional IOB Funds and Asset Management Forum took place in Limerick, very kindly hosted in Northern Trust’s offices.
The IOB Funds and Asset Management Limerick Forum featured an update on the Fund Sector 2030 Review by Brian Corr, Head of Funds Review with Department of Finance Ireland. We were delighted to be also joined by Darragh Rossi, Head of Division for the Funds Supervision Division in the Central Bank of Ireland, Colm McDonagh, CEO of Insight Investment and Chair of Irish Funds and former students Noel Gavin and Kristin Platace.
We very much look forward to continuing these regional events, bringing together financial services professionals for a morning of networking and discussions on the latest regulatory and industry trends.
Annual Events
Future of Finance Awards 2024
IOB’s annual Future of Finance Awards took place in the Dublin Convention Centre on 23 February 2024 - it was an evening of recognition and celebration in honour of the nominees and winners of these prestigious awards!
For IOB, the process kicks off with a call for nominations across the financial services sector. Every year we seek to ensure contacting people. The Awards are judged by a panel of industry experts and leaders who meticulously review all the applications, resulting in a shortlist.
This is one of the highlights of IOB’s year, celebrating the remarkable work of the shortlisted nominees and winners. We look forward to the Future of Finance Awards 2025 so put your thinking caps on and be sure to recommend your colleagues and friends when IOB issues its call for nominees later this year!
IOB Graduation 2024
Graduation day in UCD is a very special day for IOB and students – a day filled with pride, accomplishment, and achievement.
Witnessing the graduates collect their parchments on stage with their caps and gowns is always such a proud moment for family, friends and of course for all of us at IOB. Well done again to all those who graduated from our funds and asset management programmes.