Imperial College Business School launches its first student-led investment fund

Students at Imperial College Business School have today launched the institution’s first student-led investment fund, managing £100,000 courtesy of its endowment.

The fund has been set up by Master’s students on Imperial’s Investment and Wealth Management and Financial Accounting programmes, who will be aiming to bring some fresh ideas and diversity to the industry’s stereotype of aging male investors.

The students will be assisted by a faculty-led investment committee of academics and an advisory board comprised of established industry figures.

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“We came together to create this fund because we shared an interest in investing, wanted to learn more and challenge ourselves,” said Jonathan Fielding, the co-chief executive of the fund and a current MSc Investment and Wealth Management student.

“There are many changes currently taking place in the asset management world and it is important that Imperial College Business School has responded by enabling us to introduce a high profile initiative of this kind.”

Once such change is the rising popularity of quantitative (quant) investment strategies, which use algorithms to help identify interesting opportunities.

The students will have the opportunity to practice both quant and more traditional fundamental strategies, which involve analysing a stock’s financials. They will also be given industry-led workshops and training.

Imperial hopes that by connecting students with external companies, it will help them access employment in the future.

No student participating in the fund will make any profit, as any cash generated will be reinvested.

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