The Toronto-based Investment Industry Association of Canada (IIAC) plans to raise the profile of the Canadian securities industry with the establishment on Tuesday of the IIAC Investment Industry Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame will strengthen the industry’s reputation by educating the public about the role the investment industry plays in their everyday lives, says Ian Russell, president and CEO of IIAC, such as how financial services firms help individuals to save for retirement or companies to raise capital, which in turn creates jobs.
“The Hall of Fame will make that clearer because we will have to explain what our winners’ accomplishments and achievements were,” says Russell. “And so that will raise the profile of the industry and what it achieves.”
Four living and four posthumous candidates will be inducted into the hall of fame each year. The criteria for nominees can be found on IIAC’s website. Nominations for the inaugural inductees will be accepted until May 17.
The final candidates will be chosen by a selection committee consisting of six individuals from across Canada who have worked or currently work in politics, law, academia, business and the investment industry. The final nominees will be announced in June 2013 while the induction ceremony will take place on October 3, as part of IIAC’s annual conference in Toronto.
In addition to promoting the industry to the Canadian public, Russell hopes the new Hall of Fame will inspire future financial services professionals to take a strong leadership role in the industry. Says Russell: “Our Hall of Fame winners are going to be huge role models and I think that’s important.”