Professional Certification Case Study – Samantha MacKay

Samantha MacKay, Senior Manager – Market Data and Supplier Governance Analyst, Macquarie Asset Management Sydney

This is a case study of Samantha MacKay’s experience pursuing FISD Professional Certifications.

This case study has been edited for length and clarity. If you’re interested in discussing your experience with FISD Certifications in a case study, please contact Adam Stanton, Manager, Professional Development.

Why did you choose to invest in FISD Professional Certifications?

To enrich and review my understanding of Market Data concepts.

What benefits have you seen since completing your FISD Certifications?

The [certification] assisted me to identify areas and concepts that I need to further develop and increase my exposure in.

What are some examples of real business results that have occurred since your FISD Professional Certification?

Since completing the FISD [FIA certification] there have been a handful of Market Data concepts that have come across my desk that I previously wouldn’t have been able to add a lot of value to, such as ISIN and ISO standards and ESG data points. The course increased my basic understanding of these concepts that I was then able to apply in my day-to-day role.

What is your advice to those considering FISD Professional Certification?

If you’re working in the Market Data, Data, Data Technology or Trading space I would recommend completing this [certification] to assist in supporting your foundational understanding of the core concepts and/or test your knowledge to do your role properly.

I would highly encourage those who are early or even experienced in their role to [get the FIA certification], particularly given the data space Is constantly evolving and changing and is a good way to keep up with trends, test your knowledge and/or build understanding.

Trusted by institutions, governments, foundations and individuals to manage approximately $A892 billion in assets, we provide a diverse range of investment solutions including real assets, real estate, credit and equities & multi-asset.
MAM is part of Macquarie Group, a diversified financial group providing clients with asset management, finance, banking, advisory and risk and capital solutions across debt, equity, and commodities.
*Figures as at 30 September 2023

Professional Certification Case Study – Taurance Robnett

Taurance Robnett, Co-Founder and CEO, Vema Data

This is a case study of Taurance Robnett’s experience pursuing FISD Professional Certifications.

If you’re interested in discussing your experience with FISD Certifications in a case study, please contact Adam Stanton, Manager, Professional Development.

Why did you choose to invest in FISD Professional Certifications?

I had worked in Market Data for several years at Vanguard and had no idea of the world that existed outside of my team. I wanted to create a solution that could help all Market Data Teams provide more value to the business instead of just a task taker. However, I knew I needed to get a better baseline understanding of Market Data if I wanted to build a solution. This is why I set out to take the FIA certification.

What benefits have you seen since completing your FISD Certifications?

I have been able to connect with multiple clients and Market Data Managers outside of what I learned from Vanguard. I am now able to speak the lingo and have in depth conversations highlighting my credibility in the field.

I have also been able to connect with other FIA certificate holders from around the globe and talk with them about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to managing Market Data.

What are some examples of real business results that have occurred since your FISD Professional Certification?

Utilizing my knowledge gained from the FIA certification I was able to help a company find $300k+ in cost savings. In addition to this I was able to highlight how the importance of proper data governance is crucial when it comes to managing Market Data.

I have been able to revamp elements of our tool based on FISD guidelines and information obtained from the FIA certification.

What is your advice to those considering FISD Professional Certification?

You may think you have a great understanding of Market Data, but there will always be areas that you are not as well versed on. The FIA certification gives you an unbelievable baseline to start or revamp your Market Data Knowledge. Additionally, the FIA certification sets you apart as it’s clear you have a great baseline across the entire Market Data Ecosystem.

In my opinion, Market Data is an integral part of the business and will only become more important in the future. If you can get ahead of the crowd by obtaining the FIA or other FISD certifications now, you will position yourself for a great career trajectory.

Vema Data helps small to medium sized asset managers modernize their Market Data management, ensuring firms scale with technology and not just personnel growth.

FISD Newsletter – June 2024

FISD Bengaluru

FISD is proud to host its first-ever India event on July 3 at Goldman Sachs in Bengaluru. This event is open to members and nonmembers and will cover topics like Indian Capital Markets, GS Lakehouse Strategy for Vendor Analytics and more. Share with your colleagues and register today – we are nearing capacity! 

FISD Tokyo Sept 5th

Join the FISD Japan community for our first fall 2024 event. Hosted at Deutsche Bank’s brand new Tokyo office on September 5, the meeting focuses on data topics that are impacting the increased internationalization of Japan’s capital markets.

Professional Certification Case Study: Meet Bernard Schut

Bernard Schut is Business Director at BIQH and proud holder of the FISD FIA, DLS and FIT exams. Read about how these certifications have advanced his career and why he says the FIA is ‘a must-have’ for those in the industry. 

Interested in being featured for your certification? Contact Professional Certification Manager Adam Stanton with your FIA story.

WFIC

We are on track for a record-breaking WFIC this September in Austin, Texas and wanted to share some topline numbers with y’all:

    • 45 applicants for the first-ever FISD Rising Star Fellowship. The Rising Star steering committee is blindly screening applicants and will select five superstars to speak on a panel about the future of market data, be honored on Tuesday night and cohost a Rising Star Happy Hour at WFIC. Winners will be announced in July. 
    • 34 sponsors! We are so appreciative to all our sponsors, without whom WFIC would be impossible. We still have a few Bronze sponsorships available if you’d like to join these esteemed companies. Contact Tracey Shumpert for more details. 
    • 3 keynotes! Earlier this week we announced our three extraordinary keynotes: Mark Hura of Oracle; Marion Leslie of SIX; and Katie Ryan from Charles Schwab. 
    • 500+ registered delegates! Are you one of them? If not, secure your spot before we hit capacity! The networking will be unmatched at this global conference. 

Video Library

FISD members are given complimentary access to an expansive video library where you can watch webinars and in-person events you might have missed. Catch up on FISD New York videos from June 6 and our Alternative Data Webinar on China’s Data Security Regime.

2024 Global Sponsors

CJC’s Academy to Develop Next-Gen Market Data Experts

CJC Academy to Train A New Generation of Market Data Experts

London, June 03, 2024 – Crown Jewels Consultants (CJC), the leading market data consultancy and recognised professional services provider, is thrilled to announce the return of its pioneering Academy Program. The CJC Academy trains and nurtures the next generation of market data experts by empowering them with industry-leading skills, knowledge, and the practical experience required for a successful career in the global capital markets.

CJC’s Academy is a comprehensive, multi-faceted initiative that combines classroom-based learning, mentorship, hands-on projects, and immersive experiences. It is a rare opportunity for participants to learn from leading market data industry experts, collaborate on cutting-edge client engagements, and gain exposure to diverse market data functions via CJC’s technical and commercial operations.

 

Find Out More at: https://cjcit.com/standards/cjc-academy/

 

The CJC Academy officially returns with an updated syllabus, following a hiatus during the pandemic and has been a core aspect of CJC since 2012. CJC’s Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Paul Gow, has long foreseen a growing skills gap and set a directive in 2022 to make the Academy a fully-fledged aspect of CJC, complete with a dedicated support team and a structured syllabus that is in part delivered through a digital learning platform.

Speaking to Paul, he said, “CJC recognises the future of our industry lies in the hands of talented individuals who will shape it and there is a skill gap in the capital markets. Having supported the capital markets for 25 years this year, many skilled individuals are retiring or lured away to other industries, the capital markets are not the only real-time data industry. CJC’s Academy represents our commitment to nurturing talent and fostering the growth of future leaders who will drive innovation and continue to shape the industry.”

Paul Gow continues “To achieve this, I reached out to Paul Tomblin, who is highly regarded for both his mentoring skills and engineering knowledge. Collaborating with teams across the business to cover both technical and commercial disciplines, he expanded the Academy’s intake capability to include not just individuals starting their careers, like school leavers and graduates, but to career changers and those returning to work, like ex-military and government schemes.”

Recently winning A-Team Group’s 2024 award for diversity, equity, and inclusion, CJC also approached The Catalyst Collective, a not-for-profit organisation that matches Black girls and Black women for meaningful mentoring experiences. The collective works across a wide spectrum including school leavers and will collaborate on the Academy’s open day to provide young Black women with guidance to help secure their chosen careers.

Paul Gow commented, “The open day is designed to help people understand the basics of data-driven decision-making, leveraging real-time data based on real-world parallels to the capital markets. We complement this by outlining potential roles in our industry. The goal is to help participants understand what the market data industry does and embrace it. The open day is an opportunity for the next generation to make an informed decision with market data as a career path.

The Catalyst Collective’s Founder and Programme Director, Chloe Lewis said, “We are grateful to CJC for hosting and collaborating with us on this initiative. This partnership underscores the crucial role that corporations and non-profits can play together in expanding career opportunities for young people. By combining The Catalyst’s reach and understanding of young people’s needs with CJC’s industry expertise, we can help bridge the gap between their current world and future possibilities, ensuring they have the information they need to consider the widest range of career choices from an early age.”

– End –

For more information, contact:

The Communications Team

Tel: +44 (0) 203 328 7600 | Emailmarketing@cjcit.com

 

About Crown Jewel Consultants (CJC)

CJC is the leading market data technology consultancy and service provider for global financial markets. CJC provides multi-award-winning consultancy, operations support (OaaS), cloud solutions, and professional services for mission-critical market data systems. CJC is vendor-neutral and ISO 27001 certified, enabling CJC’s partners the freedom to focus on their core business.

 

About The Catalyst Collective

The Catalyst started in December 2020 as a simple idea – that by connecting Black girls with role models to act as mentors, they would accelerate towards and achieve their goals even faster. We launched our first pilot cohort of 6 pairs in January 2021, and we’ve kept going from there. This year (2023-24) we’re on track to match and support 75 mentoring pairs.

Professional Certification Case Study – Bernard Schut

May 15, 2024

Bernard Schut, Business Director, BIQH

This is a case study of Bernard Schut’s experience pursuing FISD Professional Certifications. Bernard Schut is Business Director at BIQH. His bio can be found here, and articles he has written for BIQH can be found here. If you’re interested in discussing your experience with FISD Certifications in a case study, please contact Adam Stanton, Manager, Professional Development.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Why did you choose to invest in FISD Professional Certifications?

I want to be a thought leader in the market data industry. This requires having knowledge about all the aspects of market data, ranging from the industry players to data licensing to the technologies being used. Furthermore, I wanted to make sure I know all the ins and outs of market data, including the terminology being used.

What benefits have you seen since completing your FISD Certifications?

Firstly, it has become a driver for my colleagues to obtain FISD Certifications as well. This is really important since I believe (especially young) colleagues should have a basic knowledge about market data. Secondly, it especially helped me to understand data licenses better. Finally, of course I broadened my knowledge and I am pretty sure now I can talk about all aspects of market data with my customers, prospects and partners.

What are some examples of real business results that have occurred since your FISD Professional Certification?

I improved our sales and marketing collateral by using the right terminology and explanations like those set out in the FISD certifications. Secondly, we improved the knowledge about market data within our company. Finally, especially the DLS Certification helped me to interpret market data licenses way faster and better.

What is your advice to those considering FISD Professional Certification?

The FISD Certifications helped me to be on top of market data knowledge and industry trends.

I recommend FISD Certifications to everybody who is entering the market data industry, the FIA certification is a must-have.

 

BIQH is a provider of market data management as a solution and as a service. BIQH helps financial institutions to solve their market data spaghetti and to become vendor independent.