Local pupils in finals of contest to find the next generation of female investors
Pupils from schools in Edinburgh and East Lothian are among the finalists in a hotly contested competition to find Scotland’s next generation of female investors.
The Growing Future Assets contest, which encourages young women to consider a career in the world of investment management, has attracted record entries this year but teams from Preston Lodge High School (Prestonpans, East Lothian), North Berwick High School (East Lothian) and George Watson’s College (Edinburgh), have beaten off stiff competition from across the country to be in the running for top spots.
They have already presented their case in a research report and three-minute elevator pitch video and will face the judges next month (March) to deliver an extended pitch in a live final.
Competition organisers and educators Future Asset believes that being female should never be a barrier to progressing in a chosen career and the contest introduces senior schoolgirls to potential careers in investment, showing how working in the sector can change the world for the better and give young women valuable, transferable skills.
During the competition, youngsters must prove their ability to spot the next big investment prospect by researching, analysing and pitching a company they think will be a lucrative long-term bet.
During the process, all students were assisted by their teachers and through mentoring from investment management professionals who shared their experience and provided career insights, advice and inspiration.
George Watson’s College paired with investment management experts Baillie Gifford, Preston Lodge High School with Nikko Asset Management, and North Berwick High School with specialist fund manager firm Artemis.
Preston Lodge High School has two teams contesting the senior 16-18 year category and Business Education Teacher , Kate Gascoigne, says: “I am delighted that both of the Preston Lodge senior teams have reached the finals of the Future Assets competition.
“The high quality of their submissions illustrates how hardworking, dedicated and creative the students are. The whole school community is proud of their success and will be rooting for them in the final.”
A team from George Watson’s College is also competing in the senior category while girls from North Berwick High are contesting the junior 14-16 year age group.
Future Asset has had a tough task whittling down the contestants from 660 participants in a total of 144 teams – a 90% increase on last year’s numbers.
Sally Greig, Investment Manager at Baillie Gifford and Senior School judge for the Growing Future Assets competition, commented: “The competition sees groups of young women from schools across Scotland doing the kind of work that is an investor’s day job: analysing a company and presenting on it.
“I was hugely impressed by the quality and creativity of the entries – in particular, the importance they placed on how companies are dealing with Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) and the ability to identify what might drive a company’s success in the future – and hope to see some of them applying to Baillie Gifford in the future!
“Future Asset plays an important role in demystifying the fund management industry for young women and helping to plant those seeds of interest early on. Diversity of thought is core to successful investing and a career in investment management is a great option for both women and men from all backgrounds.”
The finals take place on 9 March with the winners announced on 10 March.
The top teams will receive £1000 for the top senior school and £200-worth of vouchers of the students’ choice for each team member; £800 for the best junior school and £150-worth of vouchers each. Senior and junior runners-up receive £500 and £100 of vouchers and £400 and £75 of vouchers, respectively.
Helen Bradley, Future Asset Programme Manager, says: “This year’s competition is the most hotly contested yet. It’s been enormously gratifying to see the surge in interest from the youngsters and the commitment and dedication of their teachers and mentors.
“The popularity of the contest, particularly in state schools, means that youngsters who may not otherwise have had contacts in the industry are now plugged in to the potential that a career in investment management holds.”
For more information visit https://www.futureasset.org.uk/
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