DAILY this professional commits himself to wealth creation and growth on behalf of his clients, all the while balancing risk with rewards.

He’s the investment strategist — a role filled by the client portfolio and investment strategies manager with Jamaica Money Market Brokers (JMMB).

For insight into the career option, we turn this week to Roy Reid, a member of the banking sector for the last seven years, four of them with JMMB where he is currently the client portfolio and investment strategies manager — a position he has held for last 18 months.

His responsibilities include:

* retaining and growing existing portfolio of qualified high net worth clients across JMMB through active portfolio management and value- added financial solutions;

* structuring appropriate financial solutions that seek to balance risk and reward for existing and new clients;

* leading the development and delivery of a world-class portfolio management model that can be exported to other jurisdictions or less mature markets in which JMMB has business interests; and

* assisting in the process of providing clear, credible and investor-focused advice, services and strategies, as well as the provision of commentary and analysis to a range of target audiences through various media, such as investment seminars and interviews.

Reid, 30, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Northern Caribbean University and Master of Science degree, also in business administration from the University of Technology’s School of Advanced Management.

He has also completed industry-specific training courses, including the Jamaican securities course, through the Jamaican Institute of Management and the securities and portfolio management programme through Fitz Ritson and Associates. He is currently going after designation as a chartered financial analyst.

Who is a client portfolio and investment strategies manager?

At JMMB, this role principally deals with leading the client portfolio management initiative across the retail network by developing and overseeing the execution of integrated sales, relationship and portfolio management strategies that are in alignment with JMMB’s business plan. In collaboration with other senior members of the management team at JMMB, my thrust is geared towards positioning JMMB as the institution of choice for portfolio management by offering excellent service, consistent flow of relevant information and expert advice to our clients to enable them to make quality decisions.

What is the value of the work that you do?

What I do in collaboration with the rest of the team at JMMB is extremely valuable to the organisation and to the clients we serve, especially given the following:

* The direction that the industry is heading, given the fundamental shift in interest rates. Coming out of a high interest rate regime, it is important that we are able to show clients the value of taking a portfolio approach towards investing. This also entails creating and/or identifying investment opportunities within or outside of Jamaica that will ultimately add value to the investment portfolios of those who we serve.

* The dynamic nature of the global environment in which we operate. This tumultuous environment, therefore, requires myself and the rest of the team to be able to develop appropriate strategies that will allow us to advise our clients accordingly and make quality investment decisions that are able to stand the test of time.

* The plethora of information that is available to investors at any given time. This information overload, therefore, makes it important for us to be able to sift through this overabundance of data and focus on interpreting and demystifying that which is most important and relevant to those who we serve.

* The provision of highly trained portfolio advisors across the JMMB network to serve our valued clients. It is critical that, based on what has been outlined above, we have a well-trained and highly motivated team in the area of portfolio management to effectively serve our targeted client segments. These portfolio advisors are equipped with up-to-date information at their fingertips that will allow them to be empowered to deliver world-class investment advice.

What prompted your entry into the field?

I was attracted to the field of banking and finance since I was in high school and when the opportunity arose to become a part of the industry, I jumped at it.

What are the educational requirements for entry into the field?

The field of finance is a very diverse one. However, being designated a fit and proper individual is extremely critical to operate in this sphere, as one has to be licensed by our regulator — the Financial Services Commission — in order to dispense investment advice. A major prerequisite of this licensing is the completion of the Jamaican securities course. In addition, a Bachelor of Science degree in business is also a good starting point for persons looking to enter the industry as this exposure to the field of business would form a great foundation on which well-needed competencies that are needed to be a successful operator within this field can be built.

What other skills or competencies are required for entry into the field?

Apart from the solid technical background that is required, it is extremely important that the prospective candidate also has very strong relationship management and selling skills. Relationship management is one of the key pillars on which the industry is built as this is necessary for mutually beneficial and sustainable relationships with industry peers and the clients that we serve. Selling skills are also extremely important as the field is extremely competitive and is currently characterised by homogenous investment product offerings. Therefore, one should have the ability to work off their own initiative, possess a very positive attitude and execute on that creativity and tenacity that is necessary to be able to create one’s own niche and distinct brand within the industry. In addition, one, at times, has to be able to sell not only investment opportunities to clients, but also ideas to those critical players within your own organisation that are in a position to facilitate the transformation of those ideas into reality that will ultimately add value to your organisation. It is extremely important that candidates consistently apprise themselves of developments globally and locally and have the capacity to make the requisite linkages to how those developments will impact the nature of decisions made and investment advice dispensed to clients.

Trained as a client portfolio and investment strategies manager, what sort of employment options are open to you?

My extensive training in the area of finance has equipped me with the ability to operate in virtually any area within this specific field. However, my rich experience, flexibility and educational background also affords me the opportunity to transition virtually seamlessly to other business-related arenas. My experience in the field of finance has also given me a great perspective in the area of entrepreneurship and I believe that this is the avenue that I would most likely pursue if I were to exit this field.

How much can one earn as a client portfolio and investment strategies manager on an annual basis?

More than $3 million a year.

Why would you encourage anyone to get into this field?

I certainly would encourage persons to consider in this field as it is a very dynamic and exciting field which gives one the opportunity to learn a great deal, not only about investments but about a range of other critical issues. The desire to create wealth and keep it is also a common denominator among people anywhere in the world and as such, this field gives one an opportunity to learn invaluable lessons from those who have worked hard to create their own wealth in this and other industries. In addition, it is a very fulfilling endeavour when you can leverage your own expertise to add value in helping those individuals to grow their wealth, while tapping into this abundance of knowledge to create opportunities for yourself as well.