STA Blog

Yesterday, Tuesday the 12^th December 2017, the STA held its 31^st annual general meeting.  Some members of the board were lined up in a row at the front of the conference room, desks their only defence against members facing them, ready for a grilling or to be shot down like sitting ducks.  From left to right, Nick Kennedy, Tom Hicks, Guido Riolo, David Watts, Claudia Shaffer dutifully taking notes, and chairman Axel Rudolph.  As it turned out the latter was the only one to speak, efficiently going through the points and getting members to sponsor and second the motions with the red cards we’d been handed by Katie Abberton on arrival.

It has been another productive year for our not-for-profit society, with a new cloud-based membership system, a revamped website, and an online only bumper version of The Market Technician magazine.  Student numbers have increased considerably, up 29 per cent in the Part I class (which is now also taught at King’s College London), and Diploma Part II doubling to 160 candidates.  Cash reserves have been conservatively invested, capital preservation the central objective.

All done and dusted nice and quickly – then the fun began.  Organised by Tom Hicks, board and members were pitted against each other testing their knowledge of technical analysis via the multiple-choice questions in the STA’s Home Study Course.  Rather unfairly course director Luise Kleim took part – but wasn’t allowed to walk away with the prize winner’s bottle of champagne – as increasingly difficult questions whittled the crowd down.

Moving on swiftly to drinks and delicious canapes, this was our last meeting at the British Bankers’ Association.  From January meetings, which will continue to be on the second Tuesday of the month, start at 18:30 at the Walkie Talkie building – 20 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 3AG.  Venue of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) offices, with who we have formed a partnership, attendance will be valid for continuous personal development (CPD) credits.

Season’s greeting to all readers and looking forward to seeing you on January 9^th!