Michael Arbuthnot

I grew up, and now live, in South Africa. I have studied in various countries including the USA, Spain and South Africa. I have lived in various countries too, including Bermuda, US, Canada, UK and Australia. My early studies were in human physiology, but I later “converted” to accounting and most recently studied for an MBA through IE. I work in the asset management industry and have recently applied to do my doctorate in sustainability within asset management. My wife and I have 3 beautiful kids. My kids, reflecting some of my foibles, have taught me more about myself than I ever could have imagined.

How did IE help you get to where you are today?

IE has shown me that anything is possible. I was concerned about how I was going to get through my studies at IE, along with running a business and raising a family. What I found out was that not only was it possible, but enjoyable too. My IE experience has given me the confidence to take on more challenges (even when not knowing where the time will come from).

In what way is your work impacting the world?

In South Africa, and globally, women are underrepresented in the asset management industry. In South Africa we have a further historic issue concerning the under representation of black females in the asset management industry. The programme I have put together, which includes over 20 big and small asset managers in South Africa, is to employ black females onto a graduate programme that exposes the grads to 3 different firms each over a 15-month period, at the same time completing a financial markets practitioner qualification (post graduate qualification). We currently have 8 graduates employed and have started the recruitment process for the next cohort of graduates and expect, given our increased fundraising efforts, to be able to employ another 12 black female graduates onto the programme in the following cycle. The vision of the Fezeka programme is to help equip black females with the skills to work in the asset management industry and to transform the industry to be more demographically representative of the savings environment in South Africa.

What drove you to work for a cause that believes in the greater good?

The asset management industry, globally, is very male dominated - arguably a very ego driven environment. On the whole the industry is not doing a great job, after all the fees it charges, for the end client. I believe that with a more diverse, and representative, group of individuals driving the industry forward we will be able to improve both the savings outcomes for clients and the social environment into which individuals are retiring.