Kirsty Gibson

As an investment manager, much of my role involves researching companies and deciding whether to invest our clients’ money in them. While I have decision-making responsibilities and undertake my own research, I also work closely with the rest of the team and reflect on their research to help me make the best decisions I can for our clients.

From the outset, what appealed to me about the programme and a career in investment management at Baillie Gifford was that this is a research-based position. Regardless of your background, it's very much the role for you if you want to understand more about the companies, founders and management teams shaping the world and driving change.

There is always something new to experience or research that will expand your horizons and hone your investment decisions.

Whether it’s a ride in an autonomous truck, a tour of an industrial freezer, or a conversation with management, spending time with companies helps you gain a deeper grasp of what they do and how they operate.

Understanding the industry background is also crucial to appreciating the potential for change and the likelihood of companies achieving their goals and disrupting the status quo. That means that no day is ever the same.

I didn’t know much about the company before I joined. In fact, I initially applied to the investment graduate programme because I knew that Baillie Gifford sponsored a ballet dancer. Being a ballet dancer myself, I thought that said a lot about the company’s values and who they were. After all, who needs to sponsor a ballet dancer?

Throughout my time here, I’ve benefited from the supportive culture, which has helped me grow and develop as an investor. Colleagues are always willing to mentor others and freely give their time to help you become better at the job.

We invest for the long term and that is reflected in all aspects of the company and how I see my future here. I love my job as much, if not more than I did when I started the graduate programme. Researching companies is part of the role that I fell in love with at the beginning, and it is still what I really enjoy doing today. I know I can continue to expand my understanding and develop as an investor for another decade and more because of how much I’ve enjoyed it over the past decade.

Please note that any references to current teams in bios are as of the time of writing and may not reflect the current situation due to the rotational nature of the programmes.