Membership Directory - Individual

Chris Cummings

Chief Executive Officer at Investment Association

About

Bio: Chris Cummings is the Chief Executive of The Investment Association, a post he has held since September 2016. The Investment Association is the trade body that represents UK-based investment managers.

He is a member of HM Treasury's Asset Management Taskforce, and was a founding member of its Financial Services Trade & Investment Board. He serves as a Board member on EFAMA, the European trade association for investment management and of IIFA the international association for investment management.

He was previously a member of the Financial Conduct Authority's Regulatory Decisions Committee, a Settlement Decision Maker for the Payment Services Regulator. He served on the Foreign & Commonwealth's Diplomatic Excellence Panel.

Before joining The Investment Association he was the founding CEO of TheCityUK, held senior posts in banking, insurance and consulting with major global firms. He is a regular columnist, commentator and speaker on issues of international competitiveness and regulation in financial services.

Chris is a passionate advocate for workplace diversity and inclusion and under his leadership the IA has increased focus on the agenda. This includes the flagship Investment2020 programme and the LGBT+ agenda through the development of best practice guidance and engagement of the executive. Chris was recognised in LGBT Great's #50For50 initiative in 2019.

He comments: "I am passionate about ensuring great talent has every opportunity to thrive and succeed in the investment management industry and this means for LGBT+ people too. It's a great privilege to partner with LGBT Great and the organisation deserves huge success for their work in progressing LGBT+ inclusion within the investment management industry. As the world reconsiders its priorities, ensuring we have an open and personable working environment will become key. The LGBT Great campaign will bring a much needed rainbow of colour and joy to our lives and it has my full support.

On a personal level, I've learnt a lot by being involved in LGBT+ initiatives. I've been able to put the lessons into practice in the office and have also been able to take those insights home to help family members as they have gone on their own journey. I wouldn't have been able to help at home if I hadn't been so involved at work. I will continue to work tirelessly to help make the IA and the wider asset management sector a better, more inclusive space for LGBT+ people to work and thrive."