About the speakers

Donald is head of the Japanese Equities Team, which he joined in 2008. He is currently the co-manager for the Japan Growth Strategy, which he has run since its inception, and is also a member of the International Alpha Portfolio Construction Group. Donald joined Baillie Gifford in 2008 and became a partner of the firm in 2017. Donald has over 35 years of investment experience, almost all dedicated to Japan having worked in Tokyo, London and now Edinburgh. Prior to Baillie Gifford, Donald spent 20 years working for Schroders as a Japanese specialist and latterly Head of the Pan Pacific Equity Team. Between 1991 and 1995, he headed Schroders’ research team in Tokyo. He graduated with MA (Hons) in Arabic Studies from the University of St Andrews in 1987 and is a CFA Charterholder.
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Related funds
Japanese Fund
The Japanese Fund aims to outperform (after deduction of costs) the TOPIX, as stated in sterling, by at least 1.5 per cent per annum over rolling five-year periods.Worldwide Japanese Fund
The Worldwide Japanese Fund aims to maximise total return principally through investment in equity securities which are listed, traded or dealt on Regulated Markets in Japan.