Meet our people: Kirsty Potter

Before joining the Client Manager programme, I worked in the charity sector for ten years. I was open to a new career move, and the programme at Baillie Gifford was a great opportunity to learn something new.

Although my past role might seem very different from financial services, relationship building is critical for a successful fundraiser: you’re trying to anticipate your donors’ needs and gain their trust. This is also true when working with clients at Baillie Gifford.

I really enjoyed the opportunity to think creatively and write a short essay as part of the application process.

From there, the interviews are managed in a very personal way. Beforehand, I was sent a pack that told me who would be interviewing me and information on their background. The focus was on getting to know us, having a conversation and seeing how we interacted with other candidates.

The programme starts with an induction, followed by a comprehensive training programme. There were sessions to introduce us to the financial services industry, the firm and several of Baillie Gifford’s different investment strategies. We also met with representatives from many of the internal teams we’ll be working with and had an inspiring meeting with the Joint Senior Partner.

I had little knowledge of investment management before I discovered Baillie Gifford. Initially, I was worried that it might be too corporate, but that’s not the case. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and areas of expertise, making it a stimulating place to work.

The firm doesn’t feel hierarchical, we’re all encouraged to learn and grow, and everyone is genuinely down-to-earth and approachable.

If you’d asked me at the outset of the programme, I would have said my focus would always be on the client relationship side. However, much to my surprise, I’ve found myself drawn to the investment specialist role where I now work. It’s been a measure of just how much I’ve grown during the programme and beyond.