To mark the occasion staff past and present, alumni, and current students attended a special drinks reception at the Centre last week. Guest enjoyed a trip down memory lane, seeing photographs from the last 20 years and a video produced in the 90s, and also competed in a trading competition.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcCgIlETJsI

Now part of Henley Business School, the ICMA Centre was established in 1991 with funding from the International Capital Market Association. The Centre has come a long way in twenty years with an impressive range of undergraduate and Masters Programmes, a PhD programme, research, consultancy and its own executive education programmes.

Professor Brian Scott-Quinn, Chairman and founder of the Centre opened the speeches reminiscing on the early years and thanking Martin Scheck, Chief Executive of ICMA for the organisation's vision and continued support for the Centre.

Martin Scheck said: "The ICMA Centre is a driving force in the provision of high quality, relevant education and we value our relationship with the Centre very highly. The development of a successful, internationally recognised, education programme requires a long term, multi year commitment and we are extremely fortunate to have such a partner in the ICMA Centre."

Professor John Board, Director of the Centre and now Dean of Henley Business School, and Professor Tony Downes, Deputy Vice-Chancellor also spoke of the value placed on the relationship by the Centre and the University.

Professor Scott-Quinn said: "From small beginnings, large ventures grow... The Centre has gone from strength to strength with John Board taking over the Directorship from me in 2005 and driving forward not only the project for the extension to our building which was also financed by ICMA, but a large number of very successful educational and business development initiatives.

"We now have the benefit of being part of a larger and very successful business school - Henley Business School - which is proving to be a good and helpful parent organisation. It's great seeing the Centre going from strength to strength with around 400 students, including our BSc programme. As important is the range of ICMA executive education programmes offered by the Centre. From the original two programmes when the Centre started out to the amazing number of 39.

"In addition, the ICMA Centre's own executive education programmes have expanded dramatically with clients ranging from major investment banks through regulatory agencies to trade associations around the world.

Photo: Left - Professor Brian Scott-Quinn, ICMA Centre. Right - Martin Scheck, ICMA.