Girls from Craigmount High School and The Royal High School have beaten off stiff competition and made it to the final of the Growing Future Assets Competition.
Pitching their chosen companies L’Occitane & ASOS, the girls demonstrated determination, resilience and ingenuity when presenting their chosen business as a viable and recommended investment opportunity.
The Growing Future Assets Competition introduces senior schoolgirls across Scotland to the world of investment, its operation, relevance and impact as well as the range of careers available within the sector. It supports them towards developing an understanding that good investing is about the long-term prospects, profits and sustainability of a company.
Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, said: “The Future Asset Competition is an exciting opportunity for girls across the country to access professional information and advice about careers in investment, a sector where women are under-represented.
The process offers competitors the opportunity to enhance and develop their employability, financial, data analysis and presentation skills in a creative and real-life context, and I wish all those taking part this year the best of luck.”
Rob Woodward, Chair of the Developing the Young Workforce Employers’ Forum comments: “As Chair of the DYW National Employers’ Group I wish all participants in this competition the very best of luck.
Learning the benefits of investment and helping companies to thrive sits at the heart of good business. Given the current COVID-19 crisis the skills being judged will be at the heart of the business response to rebuilding the economy and creating future job opportunities.”
Tom Rae, Head Teacher, Craigmount High School comments: “Competitions like this are a really important way of preparing young people for the world of work, a key element now in all school curriculum structures.
“As well as promoting awareness of dispositions and skills, the project also serves the purpose of advancing gender equality. Most importantly, I can see from the student feedback comments that they have all really enjoyed the experience – this is crucial, as learning should also be enjoyable, challenging, and change young peoples’ understanding of the world of work.”
Pauline Walker, Headteacher, The Royal High School comments: “The Future Asset competition has given our pupils the opportunity to excel at a time when everything that was familiar to them was stopping around them both in their school and globally. Despite the difficulties they showed resilience and determination to complete the project and to a very high standard.
“They worked collectively to produce a very high standard of work and used all the advice and support provided to them through the project leaders and their teacher Ms Collins.
“We are extremely proud of what they achieved and really look forward to seeing them complete in the final. They demonstrated what is very best about young people today and are growing and developing skills for life and work beyond school.”
Each of the participating teams were matched with investment mentors volunteering from investment companies who could provide advice and guidance, before presenting their conclusions in research reports and elevator pitch videos.
The teams had to complete their pitches during lockdown, showing great determination, resilience and ingenuity. The judging panel of investment professionals, who were extremely impressed by the high standard of entries, selected only four teams to take part in the online competition final via Zoom calls on 8 and 9 June 2020.
Mentor for The Royal High School, Edinburgh, pitching ASOS, Louise MacDonald, Head of Compliance, Cameron Hume Limited comments: “To reach the final of The Future Asset Competition is a fantastic achievement for The Royal High School team , and very well deserved !
“To create and deliver a presentation of the highest quality, in the difficult environment we find ourselves in at the moment, is a real credit to the team. The approach the girls took to the competition was excellent; they were inquisitive, analytical and eager to learn and understand key concepts of the investment world.
“Above all else, they showed a willingness for teamwork, and truly listened to each other (and their mentors!) , which showed in the strength of their presentation. I wish them all the very best for the final.”
Mentor for Craigmount High School, Edinburgh, pitching L’Occitane, Danielle Dunlop, Investor Access Co-ordinator, Baillie Gifford & Co comments: “The girls at Craigmount have done a fantastic job in reaching the finals.
“Their ability to grasp important investment principles and present a thoughtful and interesting pitch is highly impressive. I can see great potential for a future in investment.”
The winning team will receive £1000 for their school and £200 for each of the team members in vouchers of their choice, with the runner up receiving £500 for the school and £100 of vouchers for each team member.
Future Asset believes that being female should never be seen as a barrier to progressing in a chosen career. Their goal is to enable girls in the senior phase of high school to learn how investment can change the world for the better, gain valuable, transferable skills and consider the benefits of possible future careers.
They organise conferences and workshops for girls across Scotland.
For more information visit https://www.futureasset.org.uk/
