Delphine Govender, CFA, Co-founder and Chief Investment Officer at

Perpetua Investment Managers, says that as a child, she had little exposure to the field of financial services.

“I had two academics as parents, with neither of them in finance or business-oriented fields (my dad was in science and my mum in education, language and the arts in general). Even the school I attended offered no usual business subjects like accountancy, etc.

“I decided around age 15 that I could see myself in a finance-based field and wanted to develop commerce and business-related expertise after school. I did some research into this and decided back then on the CA qualification, which was (and

probably is) one of the most complete business qualifications in terms of the grounding it provides.”

It was during her university years and accounting articles that she became exposed to the world of investing. “Once I discovered this world, I realised exactly where I was heading.”

Govender explains that it is only hindsight that reveals tough patches

that may have been obstacles in her career journey.

“While I remain on my career journey I experience various challenges, none of which are insurmountable.” She says that in a male-dominated industry

– like the investment industry – the challenge of unconscious bias towards women is a very real one.

“It is so frustrating for women to have to spend time dealing with

situations in which this bias is at play. I call this distraction the ‘woman tax’. Ironically, men don’t see how they benefit from not having to waste time dealing with this issue.”

Govender is inspired by the many intelligent, driven, principled yet humble people she meets throughout the spheres of her life (especially those on a genuine journey of continuous learning among family and colleagues). “I am motivated by my own deep sense of curiosity and desire to be of service to those around me,” she adds.

She was introduced to the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) credential at university back in the mid-90s as she learned about a career in investing and what qualifications would be the most relevant to pursue.

“If you are committed to a career in investments, the CFA designation is almost a rite of passage. The reality about the exam is that in and of itself I do not believe it qualifies

you to do something specific, but it is a necessary leveller for all in the industry or for those who wish to enter.

“Often I encourage colleagues who write this exam to obsess less about how tough it is and concentrate more on what it is equipping them to do. In this way the content becomes relatable. When a profession has a strong fiduciary element, which investments does, it becomes essential that a robust framework to govern behaviour, actions and thought-processes exists – and the CFA designation is excellent at providing this common base to all.”

GOVENDER IS INSPIRED BY THE MANY INTELLIGENT, DRIVEN, PRINCIPLED YET HUMBLE PEOPLE SHE MEETS

WOMEN'S MONTH31 August 2019

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CFA designation almost ‘a rite of passage’ in investment industry

Delphine Govender, CFA, Co-founder and Chief Investment Officer, Perpetua Investment Managers