\u201cTo plan effectively, and prepare for the inevitable bumps along the road, people are going to need lifelong professional financial advice as never before,\u201d says Chris Divito, newly appointed Associate Professor at the Business School.<\/p>\n
Chris joined Edinburgh Napier University in January, and heads the Financial Services Group. His first priority is to draw upon more than two decades of professional experience \u2013 and the close cooperation of a professional advisory group spanning key players in the UK financial sector \u2013 to ensure that the Finance programmes will match the sector\u2019s future challenges.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a focus now on business for good, and many undergraduates are motivated by a strong sense of social purpose in addition to a desire to secure a degree that offers them a financially rewarding career. What can be more fulfilling than helping ensure people have financial security in this uncertain world? That is the potential with a career in the finance sector, either through managing service delivery, developing new products or giving tailored personal advice.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe global financial giants, national regulators such as the UK\u2019s FCA, and a whole kaleidoscope of start-ups in the Fintech space are innovating products, services and governance structures to reflect this changing landscape. We need to reflect that, to remain at the forefront of skills development.\u201d<\/p>\n
Take the issue of risk as an example: Edinburgh Napier\u2019s undergraduate degree in Financial Services is the only one of its kind in Scotland, [which Chris graduated from earlier in his own career]. \u201cThe existing degree programme covers risk in many modules,\u201d says Chris, \u201cbut we don\u2019t bring these together in a single, focused module on all the combined risks. The focus on risk is growing every day in our industry and such focus within our programmes will appeal to employers, and set our future graduates apart.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chris has the experience to understand the priorities facing the sector both in the UK and internationally: with a career spanning several sectors, including being CEO of Standard Life in the Middle East, Head of Wealth and Asset Management with the Dubai International Finance Centre Authority and, most recently, as Managing Director of Friends Provident International for Middle East & Africa. \u201cIn the UK, the Financial Conduct Authority has increased qualification requirements for those who want to offer personal financial advice. Our plan is to enable those who complete our modules, and who want to follow that career path, to have a fast-start on those qualifications requirements\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cGovernance is another critical area for the sector. The Regulator has recently embedded the SMCR (Senior Manager and Certification Regime) which strengthens responsibilities for good governance, not only for senior managers, but for all staff across every financial services business in the UK. Through deeper ties with industry, our plan is to better engage with businesses to assist in ongoing executive education to meet emerging needs of this kind and help firms demonstrate their compliance with such regulation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a strong foundation here at The Business School, and Scotland has a strong tradition in financial innovation and entrepreneurship. The financial sector is the perfect place for forward-thinking and progressive individuals to be a catalyst for real, positive cultural and social change. I\u2019m delighted to be in a position to help shape the talent that will drive that forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
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