What we do

We’re the trade association and industry voice for UK investment managers.

We champion the investment management industry

The UK investment management industry plays a major role in the economy, helping millions of individuals and families achieve their life goals by helping grow their investments (mainly through workplace pensions). In fact, 84% of UK households use an investment manager’s services (knowingly or unknowingly). The industry also invests, billions of pounds in companies and the financing of transport networks, hospitals, schools and housing projects. The industry supports 124,800 jobs in the UK, including 13,100 in Scotland. It’s the largest industry of its kind in Europe, and the second largest in the world, after America. 

Our members range from small, independent UK investment firms to Europe-wide and global players. Collectively, they manage over £9.1 trillion of assets on behalf of their clients in the UK and around the world. That is 10% of the £95 trillion global assets under management. We act as their voice and represent their interests to policymakers and regulators, and help explain to the wider world what the industry does. 

We help our member firms become better businesses 

We want our members to achieve the best results for their customers, both in the UK and internationally. To do this, we lead learning, training and development initiatives to ensure compliance with the law and industry best practice – all while attracting a more diverse workforce into the industry. We also consult widely with members on issues affecting the industry, such as market trends, new technology, and data use.

Our Expertise

At the IA we are committed to serving our members, embracing new ideas and striving for excellence. We are inclusive, considerate and act with integrity in all we do. We have 6 key Policy divisions, covering every aspect of the investment management industry.

Policy, Strategy & Innovation

This team is responsible for managing all customer-facing policy and regulatory issues which affects the Financial industry, including products and competition, cybersecurity, fund communications and governance, as well as technological change.

Stewardship, Risk & Tax

This team represents IA members’ interests on all corporate governance matters, including creating sustainable economic recovery and corporate reporting and audit. This team is also responsible for the IA’s Institutional Voting Information Service (IVIS).

Investment & Capital Markets

This team is responsible for the IA’s work on investments and capital markets, including sustainable and responsible investment and the quality of asset classes, such as: equity, fixed income, infrastructure and private markets.

Market Insights & Fund Sectors

This team is accountable for the IA's Data and Insights into various sectors, helping investors make informed decisions. This includes information on the different Funds, and their performance, trends and averages,

Corporate Affairs

The team is responsible for maintaining relationships across regulators, policy makers, politicians and media in the UK and globally, advocating for the IA to highlight investment management’s role in society and improve the operating environment for members.

Culture, Talent & Inclusion

This team is focused on the diversity, inclusion and equity agenda, including the IA’s talent strategy. It is also responsible for Investment20/20, our talent solution, which aims to create a more diverse and inclusive industry.

IA Membership

The IA offers exclusive access to a wealth of online and in-person benefits on industry insights and technical policy expertise. Our dedicated membership team is here to assist with any questions & to help you fully leverage the opportunities available. Contact us to discover more about how you can engage and make the most of your membership.

Events & Training

Our IA Training team delivers valuable resources and learning opportunities through both classroom and virtual-based training sessions. Additionally, the IA Events team manages a comprehensive portfolio of annual events that cover key industry hot topics, offering valuable networking experiences and commercial opportunities for collaborative partners.

Our International Trade

The Trade & Investment Committee oversees the industry's contribution to shaping the UK's future trade and investment policies. It addresses business and commercial matters related to specific market opening strategies and champions the UK's position as a global hub for the industry. The committee also monitors upcoming international developments and collaborates closely with the Department for Business & Trade and HM Treasury to do this.

Our Executive Committee

Our Executive Committee, comprised of individuals with extensive expertise in the investment sector, is in charge of the IA's daily management. This team brings extensive knowledge and a wealth of experience to navigate the industry's challenges and seize its opportunities.

Our Board

The IA's activities are overseen by the Board, which consists of senior leaders from a diverse array of IA member firms. The board is accountable for overseeing mergers and acquisitions, determining dividends and significant investments, and managing the hiring, retention, and compensation of senior executives.

Our Committees

Our Committees act as a unified voice for the investment industry, providing key convening points that allow us to gather and understand the viewpoints of our members within the investment management sector. They provide members with access to expert advice, networking opportunities, and up-to-date information. This includes providing members with briefings and updates on policy and legislative issues that could affect their business, as well as employing or contracting specialists to provide members with legal, health and safety, or technical advice.

Our Members

The Investment Association (IA) represents a diverse range of member firms within the investment management industry. Within this, we have four Categories that our Member's are segmented into: Full, Affiliate, Sector and Fintech. Our members include independent investment firms, global players, and service providers, collectively managing over £9.1 trillion of assets.

Pay Gap Report
Constitution and Annual Report
Race at Work Charter
Change the Race Ratio Partnership

Since 2017, UK companies with 250+ employees have to report their gender pay gap for salaries and bonuses. We want to create a diverse and inclusive UK investment and savings industry at all levels, including in our own organisation. 

The Investment Association is a company limited by guarantee, with registration number 4343737. Each year, we publish a detailed update of our goals and activities in our Annual Report & Accounts.

In January 2020, the IA became signatories of The Race at Work Charter, ensuring that ethnic minority employees are represented at all levels in an organisation. As part of this, the IA has committed at Board level to zero tolerance of harassment and bullying, supporting career progression as part of our D&I strategy, developing our HR systems and practices to capture ethnicity data, publicising progress.

The IA is a founding partner of the Change the Race Ratio (CTRR), a business led initiative launched by the CBI to increase racial and ethnic participation in British businesses. As signatories of the CTRR, we have committed to set targets to increase the racial and ethnic diversity of our Board and senior leadership team, as well as create an inclusive culture in which talent from all diversities can thrive.

 

 

Just Finance Foundation

Our Partnership with Just Finance Foundation

The IA is proud to be a partner of Just Finance Foundation (JFF), a national charity dedicated to equipping future generations with meaningful financial education.

In today’s challenging economic climate, financial education is crucial. Empowering school children with financial knowledge and understanding can help to set them up for success when they start to manage their own money, enter the world of work, and begin to think about retirement and supporting themselves through later life.

JFF wants to ensure that all children have access to a robust financial education, no matter their circumstances. to learn more and find out how you can support JFF, please visit their website.

 

Women in Finance Charter

 

Women in Finance Charter

The IA is a proud signatory of HM Treasury’s Women in Finance Charter, supporting gender balance in financial services.

Our commitment & Progress

Since signing the Charter in 2017, when women made up 46% of senior management, our organization has grown significantly, with women now comprising 60% of senior leadership—reflecting our 61% female workforce.

Led by CEO Chris Cummings, we’re committed to maintaining at least 40% female representation and will report our progress annually.

Read the Women in Finance Charter.

 

IA Group Businesses

Engine

Identifies and develops fintech start-ups, helping them to bring new technology to the investment management sector faster and more effectively, through intensive 6-month programmes that include support and mentoring.

Investment20/20

Our industry careers service focuses on widening access to diverse talent including school and college leavers, as well as graduates. Find out how to get involved.

IVIS

Institutional Voting Information Service (IVIS) is one of the UK's leading providers of corporate governance research. Our members use IVIS to help them exercise their voting rights and make more informed voting decisions.