Scottish schoolgirls chosen as Scotland’s next generation of financial whizzkids
“This year’s competition has reached unprecedented levels of quality” – Helen Bradley, Future Asset
More than 40 Scottish schoolgirls have been selected as Scotland’s next generation of financial whizzkids.
The girls, who were taking part in the annual Growing Future Assets Competition, were chosen from some 900 pupils across 100 schools around Scotland.
The challenge involves researching potential company investments - this year including the likes of STV Group and global tech giant Uber Technologies - and pitching these investments to a panel of professionals, mirroring the work investment managers undertake each day.
The pupils are supported throughout the process by professionals from across financial services, who share their experience and provide career insights and advice, along with the encouragement of teachers. This year, some 120 professionals from firms including Baillie Gifford, Aberdeen Group and Walter Scott volunteered to guide the participants.
The competitors will take part in a final round of presentations on March 20 at the headquarters of RBS/NatWest Group at Gogarburn, Edinburgh. This year’s judges include Sally Greig, head of global bonds at Baillie Gifford, and Jen Mair, strategic initiatives lead at Franklin Templeton and Scottish chair of Women in Banking and Finance.
The candidates competing for the top spot in the senior (16 to 18 year) age group are pupils from: Kingussie High School (Highland); Lasswade High School (Midlothian); Penicuik High School (Midlothian); George Watson’s College (Edinburgh); and Holy Rood RC High School (Edinburgh).
Hoping to take the honours in the junior (14 to 16 year) category are girls from:
Mearns Castle High School (East Renfrewshire); Oban High School (Argyll & Bute); Hamilton Grammar School (South Lanarkshire); and George Watson’s College (Edinburgh).
Since its founding in 2017, Future Asset - part of the Didasko Financial Education Company - has built a strong and engaged network of young women passionate about pursuing careers in finance.
Helen Bradley, chief executive of Future Asset, said: “This year’s competition has reached unprecedented levels of quality, with a remarkable surge in enthusiasm from the younger participants and unwavering dedication from their teachers and coaches.
“Witnessing the growing interest, especially in state schools, underscores the profound impact of this contest - connecting aspiring individuals with the vast opportunities that a career in investment management can offer.”
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