Following a record number of applicants the Fund Executives Association Ltd (FEAL) has awarded its annual 2006 Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) scholarships to Debora Jackson from Finsuper and Michael Block from Workcover NSW.

“We had 19 applications this year which is he highest number we’ve ever had,” FEAL chief executive officer, Michael Baldwin, said. In their application process applicants needed to be able to detail how the scholarship, which is run by the Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA), would benefit their careers. Block is the general manager of the $9 billion Workcover NSW’s investment division and Jackson is the chief executive officer of the $480 million Finsuper. Block said the program will assist him in developing skills that will aid in Workcovers’s allocation to non-traditional asset classes. Finsuper will merge with AustralianSuper at the end of June and Jackson said the scholarship will further develop her investment knowledge. The program is supported by Tyndall Investment Management, which has enabled the provision of two scholarships, rather than the initial one, over the past two years. Brett Westbrook, FEAL chief executive officer, said the scholarships are designed to enhance FEAL members investment knowledge and understanding of capital markets.