Canadian scores CFA chair

For many Canadians the ‘A’ in CFA might as well stand for ‘Eh’ as Margaret Franklin has been elected chair of the Board of Governors of the CFA Institute. The Toronto-based Franklin, president & CEO of Kinsale Private Wealth, starts her one-year term on September 1, 2010.

“Being a Canadian gives a wonderful perspective; you’re kind of a nice bridge between what has historically been a North American organization, to a more global perspective. Our board is comprised of a number of individuals from different parts of the market, different countries, and different perspectives,” Franklin told Advisor.ca

Franklin, who has 20 years of financial industry experience, will head a 17-member Board of Governors composed of investment professionals from eight countries: Canada, China, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States.

With investors, governments and regulators seeking the highest educational, ethical and professional standards from investment professionals, Franklin says that the CFA Institute is up to the challenge and more.

“The challenges that face the industry are actually opportunities for the CFA Institute. The crisis of 08 and 09 has really been consistent throughout the decade, and we are in a period of tremendous distrust by those who trust us with their assets. The CFA Institute is the leading voice on education, ethics and professional excellence,” she said.

Franklin believes that the “crown jewel” of the CFA is the CFA program due to the rigorous testing involved and the body of knowledge that candidates are expected to acquire.

“There is a moment right now for us to really stand up and champion ethics, principles, and integrity. There’s nothing like a good crisis to leverage that into the broader community,” she said of the program’s value.

“Margaret is a credit to our industry and CFA Institute,” said Janine Guenther, Presidents’ Council Representative for the Canadian CFA Institute member societies. “Having worked with Margaret on a number of CFA Institute initiatives over the years, I know first-hand that the Board of Governors will be led by an investment professional committed to promoting full disclosure, accountability, and integrity in financial markets,” said Guenther.

“I am honoured to work with Margaret and the other members of the Board of Governors as we continue the tradition of using strong, thoughtful governance to manage our global organization,” said John Rogers, president and CEO of CFA Institute.

Franklin succeeds Tom Welch, managing director and regional manager of the institutional client service team at Wells Capital Management in Minneapolis, MN, United States.

• Check back for Advisor.ca’s continuing coverage of all the breaking news from the CFA Institute’s Annual Conference in Boston.

  ---

  Conference Coverage
• Rogoff criticizes debt strategies
• Canadian scores CFA chair
• Ethics have gone down a rat hole: Grantham
• CFA conference debates debt
• Ethics debate opens CFA conference

  ---

Staff

The staff of Advisor.ca have been covering news for financial advisors since 1998.