Known as the Securities Institute when it was formed on 10 February 1992, the CISI has been helping financial services professionals achieve the highest standards of professional excellence for 25 years
Find out more Membership of the CISI has grown from a mainly UK-centric 8,000 in the first year to today’s community of 40,000 global members across 116 countries. Our qualifications are recognised in over 40 jurisdictions; we have 11 National Advisory Councils worldwide and 40,000 exams were taken in 80 countries last year.
Helping to enhance the employability of those working in financial services is an important aspect of our global remit. Alexander Allen, Chartered MCSI, assistant investment manager at Brewin Dolphin, said: “CISI membership has supported me while studying for the CISI wealth management qualifications but also in my wider career development. Membership provides access to resources to build your knowledge, free events to grow you network, and opportunities to help you progress in your career.”
Equally important is our objective of supporting those students looking to start a career in financial services. Our partnerships with schools, colleges and universities throughout the world offers qualifications and career education for young people to learn about the financial services industry. This work is important as it allows young people to gain an understanding of the diverse job roles and employer opportunities available within the industry to realise their potential.
At last year’s Careers in Investment Management Insight Conference, Ben Gartside, a year 13 student from Parrs Wood High School, said: “[It] was an eye-opening experience which gave me a greater insight into the world of finance and associated careers. From attending the event I feel that a career in finance is accessible and something I would now consider.”
"Our ambition is to inspire and equip a new generation of young people to take up the opportunities that a career in financial services provides"
The CISI has had three Chairmen: Graham Ross Russell FCSI(Hon) 1992–2000; Scott Dobbie FCSI(Hon) 2000–2009, and current Chairman and previous Lord Mayor of the City of London Sir Alan Yarrow, Chartered FCSI(Hon). All have shown inspirational leadership in helping the Institute to evolve and grow its membership.
Our motto of 'My word is my bond' has been central to our efforts to show that professional conduct is a critical complement to business and financial services industry knowledge. We have always held integrity and ethics as fundamental to our ethos, influencing standards of professional competence. Scott Dobbie, the CISI’s chairman from 2000-2009 sums up the essence of this commitment to professional behaviour: “The sound advice given to me on joining a then small Edinburgh stockbroker in the early 1970s was ‘Client first, firm second and self third’ – advice that has stood the test of time.”
CISI CEO Simon Culhane, Chartered FCSI said: “For over 25 years we have supported our members throughout their professional journey, as they uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. Our practitioner-designed qualifications pathways, CPD and networking events and e-learning tools ensure that our members possess current knowledge and skills needed to reach the forefront of their profession.
“We aim to connect members around the world and our ambition is to inspire and equip a new generation of young people to take up the opportunities that a career in financial services provides.”