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Upcoming Programme

Format

Hybrid; London

Dates

October 2026
to September 2027

Duration

12 months

Nomination Deadline

31st of August

Discover untapped potential 

The Pathway Programme is designed for ambitious women who aspire to investment management roles.

Develop the technical expertise, leadership skills, and professional network to accelerate a career in the investment finance industry.

Download brochureApply nowRegister for a free information call​

About the Programme

Participants across 76 Firms​

From the UK, Europe and US​A

33%​ promoted or changed roles​

FT Adviser & Investment Week ​D&I Initiative​

93% of participants rated the programme highly​

What is the Pathway Programme?

The Pathway Programme is the investment industry’s flagship career acceleration programme for women aspiring to front-office investment roles.​

Designed in partnership with senior investors and industry leaders, the programme combines technical training, real-world application, and leadership development to prepare participants for careers as Portfolio Managers and Traders.​

Participants learn alongside a supportive cohort of peers and connect with the industry’s most respected portfolio managers, traders, and CIOs.​

Pathway Director, Shyla Hönigschmid-DeVeaux gives an introduction to Pathway, watch above.

Photo of Pathway participants

Who is the Pathway Programme for?

This programme is for ambitious women with high potential who:​​

  • Aspire to investment management roles​
  • Have at least 3 years’ professional experience​​
  • Have, or are working towards a CFA, CAIA, IMC, or similar​​

We welcome applicants from both investment and non-investment backgrounds – including research, sales, legal, investor relations, and operations.​​
​​
Those from non-investment backgrounds are invited to attend a technical bootcamp and provided access to additional learning materials to ensure they are prepared for the technical sessions throughout the programme.​

Curriculum

Combining technical depth, leadership development, and real-world application, participants gain the knowledge, mindset, and network across three themes and four focus areas designed to accelerate readiness for a front-office role.

Portfolio Management

Private Markets

Trading

Wealth Management

Investment Expertise

Application & Investor Thinking

Leadership & Career Influence

For full curriculum, details on focus areas and programme structure, download the brochure here

“Pathway has been incredibly empowering. The programme not only sharpened my technical skills but also helped me forge my own investment style. The access to industry leaders and the supportive cohort made it a transformative experience.”

– Pathway Participant

Benefits and Career Impact

Embrace your potential as a future investment leader. Here’s how the Pathway Programme can benefit participants and their firms.

Benefits for participants
  • Tailored curriculum covering technical investment topics and leadership development
  • Invaluable access to senior leaders across the industry
  • Supportive peer network and industry mentorship
  • Career Development Plan with built-in sponsor support
  • Real-world guidance on career transitions, front-office readiness, and managing visibility
  • Participants benefit from a sponsor within their organisation and ongoing support from their firm throughout the programme.

Benefits for firms
  • Improved retention of high-potential female talent
  • Strengthen your leadership pipeline by equipping women with critical skills
  • Recognition as a leader in industry inclusion efforts
  • Sponsor engagement and upskilling
  • Cross-firm knowledge sharing and best practices

Session Leads

Participants learn from senior leaders in the finance industry who bring fresh insights from their experiences.

Omotunde Lawal

Jonathan Toub

Simona Paravani

Lucy Bowyer

“The sessions have been very well rounded and targeted at the right level to accommodate different levels of experience. It was also great to have the chance to network after each of the live sessions as it’s a large cohort and I’m still meeting new members each time.”​

– Cheng Zhang, 2024 Participant

Take your next step

Pathway stage photo, ESG investments session

Join a free information session

Register below for an upcoming session to hear how the programme can benefit you and your firm and the opportunity to hear direct from past participants and sponsors on their programme experience.

Register for an information session →

Pathway stage photo, ESG investments session

Find out more about the benefits of the programme

Download the programme brochure to explore the curriculum, programme fees, focus areas.

Download the programme brochure →

Read our impact report for information on how the programme has helped participants and the impact it has had on the industry

Read the Pathway Programme Impact Report →

Speak to the programme Director

If you have any questions or would like to discuss how this programme could benefit you or your organisation, please get in touch with the Programme Director.

Pathway Participating Firms

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