Sarah Bates (pictured), former chair of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) and chair of St. James’s Place and Polar Capital Technology Trust, has received the honour alongside Richard Dunbar, head of economic and thematic research at Aberdeen Standard Investments and Natalie WinterFrost, client director at Aberdeen Standard Investments.
The CFA said the fellowship is awarded every two years to people who are judged by the society’s Fellowship Committee to have made an outstanding contribution to the profession or the aims and objectives of the society. There are 85 fellows across the society.
Bates has more than 30 years’ experience in the UK savings and investment industry. She has also served as chair on the boards of Witan Pacific Investment Trust and JP Morgan American Investment Trust.
She is also chairman of the St. Joseph’s Hospice Investment Panel, and a member of the Universities Superannuation Scheme investment committee. Other previous roles include adviser to the Royal College of Surgeons’ charitable fund and chairman of the Cancer Research UK pension fund’s investment committee.
Prior to Aberdeen Standard Investments, Dunbar was a chairman, treasurer, committee chair and committee member at CFA UK. He is currently chair of CFA UK’s Advisory Council and a founding member of the society’s Disciplinary Committee.
WinterFrost has been at Aberdeen Asset Management for 10 years and was previously chairman, vice-chairman, committee chair and committee member at CFA UK. She was also formerly a council and investment committee member at the Society of Pensions Professionals and past board member of Population Matters and the City Women’s Network.
The CFA said its fellows are expected to serve as CFA UK ambassadors within the economy and set an example for other professionals.
Will Goodhart, chief executive of CFA UK, said: “It is important for CFA UK to recognise people who have contributed to the advancement of knowledge and strength of the investment management profession in the UK.
“Sarah Bates, Richard Dunbar and Natalie WinterFrost bring a wealth of experience in the investment industry and have contributed substantially to the profession throughout their careers to date. We are pleased to be able to recognise their efforts and achievements, and look forward to working with them further.”