CFA Institute expands into China and India

CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, has opened new offices in Beijing and Mumbai, in order to support the region's growing number of members.

"This important milestone in the history of CFA Institute underscores our commitment to the Asia Pacific region and to the global investment profession," announced Paul Smith, CFA, president and CEO of the association.

Both countries are listed as key growth markets for CFA Institute, with 1,400 CFA charterholders in India and more than 3,000 in China.

"In the coming months we will work with industry bodies to develop the investment profession as a vital piece of infrastructure essential for the rapid development of these markets envisaged by the rest of the world," said Smith.

Smith will retain his Asia-Pacific management role in addition to his duties as president and CEO. The teams in Beijing and Mumbai will be led by country heads L J Jia and Vidhu Shekhar, CFA, respectively, who will report to Smith.

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Jia will focus on developing governmental relationships and educational content. Most recently, he held the position of general manager of public policy and government affairs for eBay, Greater China.

Shekhar, meanwhile, is an investment professional with over 25 years of industry experience in India and internationally, having held roles at the National Stock Exchange of India, IDBI Capital Markets, and and E*Trade Systems India Limited.

Said Aaron Low, CFA's chair of the board of governors, "By making sure we are present in key markets like China and India, CFA Institute will continue to play a leading role as a force for good in the revitalisation of our industry."

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