Baillie Gifford & Co Graduate Programmes & Internships 2021

• Name: Alice Stretch
• Joined: 2018
• University: Kings College London
• Degree: Political Economy

Description:

FASCINATING PROJECTS

I’m currently working on the Global Alpha team and so far, I have researched Taiwanese semiconductor companies, American landscaping suppliers and companies supporting the electrification of travel. On the team we consider the merits of the business and piece together what the growth prospects could be. I’ve had the opportunity to host or join many company management meetings; from internet conglomerates to startup biotechs. My team is very experienced but eager to share their knowledge. In my research and in the weekly meetings I aim to bring a new perspective to company discussions or complex issues such as inflation resilience during a pandemic or how should we think about the future of business software.

COGNITIVE DIVERSITY

All the graduates bring different experiences and the learning curve is steep for the first five years. There’s a real belief in cognitive diversity. This is only furthered by being exposed to new areas through conferences, graduate feedback sessions, partnerships with academia, or consultants teaching us about the industry and thinking frameworks. Baillie Gifford also invites many fascinating speakers to the investment floor, so we can learn from their experience and viewpoints. I’ve attended talks by Helen Sharman (the first Briton in Space) and by Serhii Plokhii (author of Chernobyl).

COURSES & INSPIRATION

In our induction, we receive an introduction to the firm and investment management. We then progress to the first of our placements in a team. There is a real focus on encouraging our creativity and breadth of thinking, which I really enjoy. For example, there is a project in our second year where we get to research an area of healthcare that we think is going to see dramatic disruption or innovation over the next five to ten years. A year later we have a placement in the Client Services Department and, in our fourth year, we get the opportunity to do a three-month project. Previous trainees have used this project to meet businesses whilst travelling the Silk Road to meet local businesses or work at a food app start-up.

SOCIAL MOBILITY

My preconceptions meant the investment world did not appeal to me initially, as I received maintenance grants and worked thirty-hour weeks to support myself throughout university, but Baillie Gifford is unique and welcomes you into its culture. Here it is not about ‘fitting in’ but seeing what you can bring to the table, whilst keeping up the enthusiasm to learn. Through networks such as Women in Banking and Finance, Future Asset and Social Mobility Foundation, I have been supported by Baillie Gifford to talk to cohorts of people from similar backgrounds and share the experience of starting a career here.

• Name: Laura Murphy
• Joined: 2009
• University: Heriot-Watt
• Degree: Accountancy and Finance

Description:

FINDING MY ROLE

When I arrived at Baillie Gifford, the firm supported me to complete my Investment Operations Certificate, which was a great introduction to the investment management industry. As I completed my Chartered Accountant qualification at another firm, I didn’t even realise the role of ‘Fund Accountant’ existed, or what it entailed, so Baillie Gifford has shown me there are more opportunities out there.

FIRST STEPS

My first role in the firm was as a Fund Accountant. A big part of the job is the preparation of interim and annual accounts for our 34 UK funds, in line with regulatory requirements. Because period ends are staggered, we’re always working on different accounts. The funds are varied with many different investments, so the role is always interesting.

VARIED OPPORTUNITIES

Baillie Gifford really supports and encourages internal moves, so there’s lots of opportunity to take on new responsibilities and move into different areas. Until recently, I was a Fund Accounting Manager. This involves a great deal of responsibility, such as signing of the prices that clients are buying and selling at. Another part of my remit was representing the UK funds on the Global Tax Review Group and I also managed our Business Operations Graduate Programme for nearly four years. Recently I moved to a completely new role as Investment Department Training Manager, working with graduate trainees and experienced investors alike.

BUILDING KNOWLEDGE

The world of Fund Accounting is very different from that of Corporate Accounting, partly because of FCA regulation. There’s plenty to learn and I had to get to grips with a lot of new terminology. The training I received really helped to build my knowledge, and I also had the opportunity to attend an ‘Introduction to Fund Accounting’ course in London, which was very beneficial.