J.P. Morgan Asset Management to roll out Academy with Acuma Wealth Management

Series to offer insight into effective behavioural, market and referral techniques aimed at expanding a professional client base

Business development confirms Acuma's commitment to become the premier financial services business in the GCC

United Arab Emirates, Dubai; 27 June 2011- Acuma Wealth Management, one of the most recognised and respected providers of financial planning solutions in the Gulf region, today announces that J.P. Morgan Asset Management, a global asset management leader providing world-class investment solutions, will continue to roll out its highly successful Academy series in the region through Acuma Wealth Management.

This is an exciting development for the market leading business, aimed at helping Acuma achieve its goal of becoming the premier financial services business in the GCC. Having commenced recently, the Academy series will run over a number of successive weeks, and will cover a number of modules, created to help the Acuma team enhance their day-to-day role and widen their client base. Training themes fall under three headings, 'Market Insights', 'Business Insights', and 'Client Insights', with a number of individual topics under each.

The Market Insights module looks at getting the core financial principles, fund strategies and concepts right, with sessions on risk and return, investment trusts, portfolio construction, and an introduction to macroeconomics. 

The Business Insights module offers invaluable knowledge on different areas of the IFA business, tackling common business challenges based on real life scenarios. The aim of this section is to give expert advice on how to effectively run a profitable business. Other topics include creating opportunities through building professional connections and M&A activity.

The Client Insights module covers topics such as behavioural finance and the psychology of investing, the art of introductions, body language and improving the quality of client meetings, as well as wealth signs, looking at clients' attitudes to wealth and how this might affect their asset allocation.

Of the Acuma Asset Management Academy series, Kevin Thorp, CEO of Acuma Wealth Management comments:

"The Academy is an exciting development for our business, aimed at helping us achieve our goal of becoming the premier financial services business in the GCC. We are delighted to be working with J.P. Morgan Asset Management as a key partner in this, who, like us represent international best practice in their given sector. There was a strong attendance in the first of a series of sessions, and the feedback we received from them was very positive. We look forward to further successful sessions in the future."

Simon Littmoden, Head of International Sales at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, adds:

"The Academy has been running very successfully in the UK for nearly 5 years, attracting thousands of attendees and it is now absolutely right to bring this into the Gulf where clients will, no doubt, benefit from its insightful and educational sessions. Delivering Academy across the Middle East is yet another example of J.P. Morgan Asset Management's commitment to the adviser market in the region. We are very pleased to be partnering with Acuma, one of the most respected financial planners in the Gulf."

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About Acuma Wealth Management
Established in 1999, Acuma Wealth Management is one of the most recognised and respected providers of financial planning solutions in the Gulf region. With a head office in Dubai and licensed by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the UAE Ministry of Economy and the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi, Acuma consultants are able to provide a comprehensive review of your financial situation. With over 50 qualified professionals working across three different divisions including Acuma Wealth Management, Acuma Insurance Brokers and the Acuma branch in Abu Dhabi, Acuma meets the needs of a diverse client base. For more information, please visit: www.acuma.ae.

About J.P. Morgan Asset Management
J.P. Morgan Asset Management is part of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and is a global asset management leader providing world-class investment solutions to clients. With US$1.2 trillion in assets under management (the Asset Management client funds of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. as at June 30th 2010) and offices in 41 locations around the world, J.P. Morgan Asset Management offers global coverage with a strong local market presence, and leadership positions in most asset classes. For more information, please visit: www.jpmorgan.com.

Issued by:
Sophie Toh | Hiba Al Hafidh | Sophie Snow
TOH Public Relations | 00971 503739502 | firstname@tohpr.com
www.tohpr.com

© Press Release 2011