IMA 'unfit to classify sectors', says think tank

clock

A paper being reviewed by the House of Lords has launched an attack on the Investment Management Association (IMA), saying it is ill-equipped to decide on sector classifications, and the job should fall to a more impartial body.

Michael Johnson, author of the paper and research fellow at the Centre for Policy Studies, criticised the IMA for not being able to categorise funds fairly. "The IMA is an industry body and is paid to represent industry members. It is not impartial in categorising funds because ultimately its interest is attracting more business to the industry," he said. Johnson referred to the recent industry criticism of the Managed sector categories for being unclear and misleading, as an example of the flawed nature of the classifications. The IMA moved to reclassify the sector at the end of last...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Investment

Rebalancing act: Sometimes doing very little in portfolio management is the hardest thing to do

Rebalancing act: Sometimes doing very little in portfolio management is the hardest thing to do

'More often, it's the quieter disciplines that matter most'

Phillip Young
clock 23 March 2026 • 3 min read
Crypto investors receive 40 times more HMRC tax warnings than stock traders

Crypto investors receive 40 times more HMRC tax warnings than stock traders

Data shows enforcement activity shift

clock 19 March 2026 • 2 min read
Wrestling with the idea of a new world order? Try European smaller companies

Wrestling with the idea of a new world order? Try European smaller companies

'Let me try to explain the case for calm'

David Walton
clock 16 March 2026 • 4 min read