The Investment Society CEO Chris Wakefield continues a family tradition.
25 January 2019
Wakefield family continue connections with UC with Chris studying the MAFE and as the new CEO of The Investment Society.
Master of Applied Finance and Economics (MAFE) student, Chris Wakefield is a third generation UC student. He told us of his story to getting his Bachelor of Commerce (BCom). Chris began at UC in 2016 during a time he describes as an exciting one in Christchurch. He originally intended to study a double major in Accounting and Information Systems, but as he progressed through his first year, he had a greater feeling for his interests. “I discovered Finance and was immediately hooked, deciding to add this to my program and work towards a very rare Triple Major. This always raised people’s eyebrows when they asked me what I study!” he said.
Chris earned a summer internship with Deloitte in his second year that he says was “a fantastic experience, opening my eyes to the professional environment which awaits all graduates.” After much deliberation, Chris ultimately decided not to pursue a graduate position upon completion of his BCom and instead made the decision to continue at UC by enrolling in the MAFE degree.
He explains that “I wanted to give myself the best opportunity at some of the country’s most competitive graduate positions in the likes of corporate finance and investment banking, so the MAFE would go a long way to supporting this.”
Studying at UC has become a somewhat significant tradition for the Wakefield family. Chris is the third generation of his family to gain a BCom from the UC Business School. Chris’ grandparents, Jim and Susan Wakefield both attended, Jim earning a BCom and Susan a BCom and PhD (Russian). Susan later went on to become the Founding Chair of the UC Foundation and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Commerce 2006. His father, Steve Wakefield – also a BCom and BSc (Computer Science) alumni, is currently on the UC Council. He recently retired from a 36-year career with a global accounting firm and is now studying towards a Master of Engineering Studies.
Chris himself is involved in the University community, currently as the CEO (President) of The Investment Society, the nation’s largest University investment club. He says “It has given me fantastic leadership opportunities to manage a team of over a dozen exec members who all share similar passions for educating students, financial markets, careers in the industry and more.
It has given me networking opportunities with business leaders, finance professionals and recent graduates, as well as various corporate organisations we have brought on to sponsor the Society and our different events and competitions.”
For his contribution, Chris was recently awarded the Economics and Finance Good Citizenship Scholarship from the Department of Economics and Finance. “I am very proud to have received this award, as it recognises all the value and benefits that The Investment Society provides students, particularly those pursuing careers in the industry (many are studying Economics and/or Finance), which I have led as the CEO.”
Chris considers the UC Trading Room, internship and consultancy connections, and leading a top student club to be among the greatest opportunities he has received at UC. “I have been provided with some fabulous opportunities at UC. To be able to lead a top student club at UC, which by far has the best student club scene and culture in all of NZ. The UC Business School has connections with several businesses in the financial industry in Christchurch and gives students opportunities to do internships and consultancy projects which can be credited as an Economics or Finance paper. In semester two of 2018, I was able to work with Hamilton Hindin Greene (a boutique wealth management firm based in Christchurch) with a group of 3 other UC students to conduct research for them and present final reports and presentations to their investment committee.”
To find out more about the opportunities UC has to offer go to:
https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/get-started/why-uc/
UC Business School
Level 2
Meremere Building
business@canterbury.ac.nz
What to read next:
Boost Economic Growth Challenge Winners
Winners of the secondary school competition, hosted by UC Business School and CETA were announced last night.
Drones and satellites among new tools to track biodiversity
UC researchers believe remote sensing technologies such as satellites, planes, and drones will cause a paradigm shift in auditing Aotearoa’s ...