I was impressed by the wide array of advanced technologies that Baillie Gifford were applying to the applications used within the firm. Some of the languages are used widely within web development today and weren’t introduced to me as part of my degree course, so that really piqued my interest. Reading up around the company, I also discovered that Baillie Gifford are researching the different applications of AI. This is an area that really interests me, so I decided to apply to their graduate scheme.

I’m currently working in the Emerging Technologies Team on a Robotic Process Automation (RPA) project. The team are trialing a number of different processes which they believe could benefit the firm if automated. In some cases, repetitive manual tasks are involved and over 32 spreadsheets must be populated, and so bot technology is used to collect data, then format and upload it. This project has been of particular benefit to the Marketing Intelligence team as the data being collected directly affects many operations in the firm.

The most interesting part of RPA has been developing and deploying solutions alongside an offshore team, as well as learning a new development tool - Blue Prism. It’s also been really useful to see how all the different departments in Baillie Gifford link together and feed into each other. The RPA software allows you to create processes, underpinned by business logic, rules and programming fundamentals, and it’s being used across various teams, including Compliance and the European Funds Operations Department.

There’s a really great support network at Baillie Gifford and you’re always being encouraged to get involved in industry events. If you want to attend a particular event or training course, then you just need to ask. I’m really interested in blockchain technology and recently attended a conference in London on the topic.

I applied to lots of different firms because I wanted to find the right fit, but Baillie Gifford really stood out. The whole interview process is very personal and, since I’ve joined, it’s like being a member of an extended family. I never felt out of place and my colleagues always make themselves available to answer any questions I might have or help me through any difficulties.

Having spent time on rotation with the Infrastructure Service Delivery team, where tasks have included setting up and configuring Cisco IP Phones and adding new policies to firewalls, my next rotation will be in the Security Access Management team, which is more akin to what I studied at university. With all the experience I’m gaining, it’s really easy to see myself developing over the long-term here, and I’m looking forward to contributing to the growth of the firm.

One of the most challenging aspects of the programme has been getting to know all the internal processes at the firm. It takes time to learn how everything fits together, but there are always people on hand to help. My mentor is always there if I need someone to talk to, either on a personal or professional level. There’s also ongoing support from my Programme Manager, who I meet regularly and the line managers on each specific rotation. You’ll always get what you need if you ask the right questions of the right people.

Perhaps my biggest challenge has been adjusting to living and working in the UK. Especially the cold weather! That was definitely a bit of a shock when I got off the plane. The help I’ve received with the move, though, has really made a difference. I’ve been given some great pointers about finding a place to live and have met graduates from all the other training programmes. We all had lunch together, which was a great way to get to know people before I officially started at the firm. With Edinburgh you get the best of both worlds – peaceful green spaces, as well as the buzz of a capital city. I’m really enjoying exploring my new home.

The application process was straightforward. Some companies have 20 page online forms that take hours to complete. Here I had a lot of scope to put into my own words why I felt I was suited to the role, and at interview to say what I really thought.

With my degree background, I was a little worried that I’d be at a disadvantage – but I’ve not had a problem at all. I learnt so much in the two-year programme about the whole business cycle, with great training opportunities, and I had the chance to find out what interests me.

I liked the rotational nature of the graduate scheme. At the end of it you’ve experienced everything from Settlements to Risk to Systems to Audit. At first everything is new but you soon develop knowledge in so many different areas and build your own network of contacts around the business.

The people are friendly and approachable at all levels and I had lots of opportunities to attend meetings and lunches with senior partners. And it’s OK to ask questions: at times you might be helping colleagues to think about things in a completely new way.

If you’re interested in something, ask to be involved. For example, last year I helped co-found the Baillie Gifford LGBT network. Being gay, I understand that joining your first workplace after university can be a daunting experience. So for me it was important that those who identify as LGBT are encouraged to be themselves here. By creating the network we want to promote conversation around LGBT inclusion and support an open, respectful working environment.

I was looking for a graduate programme that would help me get a sense of the world outside academia. With a background in development research and consultancy, financial services wasn’t my original career focus, but Baillie Gifford was the only company in the industry that truly appealed. I discovered the firm’s emphasis on future-thinking, cognitive diversity, and long-term investment approaches valuing qualitative thinking alongside quantitative methods. I realised this was an attractive opportunity to learn more about the world.

During my time on the Japan team I have primarily focused on small-cap company research. This means I’m looking at the growth potential of smaller companies. Often these are software or tech companies looking to disrupt the established workings of their respective industries. As an example, one the first few companies I researched is aiming to become the Facebook of the cosmetics world with its leading advertising and CRM platform, allowing brands to interact with and manage a large pool of customers directly. Companies such as this are defining a shift from product-based business models to experience-based ones.

On a recent trip to Japan, I meet with 35 different companies. I was given the freedom to choose the companies I wanted to visit and design the objectives and content of my meetings. Speaking to CEOs leading companies from various industries was a great experience to have so early on in my career. There are no short-cuts to gaining practical experience in interviewing management teams and for me, these first-hand opportunities were invaluable. It has given me real context for the work I do day-to-day in Edinburgh.

A key learning point has been that working in investments is not simply about a set of discrete outputs. The work is always in-progress, as the performance of any one stock or investment case is monitored across a long time horizon. I’ve admired the patience of investment managers at Baillie Gifford in continually reflecting upon and revising their previous insights and workings. In my experience I’ve also found the firm on the whole to be a conscientiously self-reflective place. As a business, asking other companies about their management and culture has highlighted the importance of asking the same questions of ourselves.

In my final year at university, part of my coursework was about investing money in different portfolios. I was looking for the top-20 best performing funds for long-term investments. Six of the top-20 funds I identified were managed by Baillie Gifford, so when I discovered that they offered graduate trainee accountancy contracts, I was immediately interested. I didn’t realise that an investment management firm would offer accountancy training. I did some more research and the culture within the firm sounded really appealing, so I decided to go for it.

I applied to a number of other large accountancy firms, but the process seemed far more personal at Baillie Gifford. With Baillie Gifford, it’s different. The process was far more welcoming and I was interviewed by a person that I would go on to work with. With many of the larger firms, trainees move on after qualification, but I was encouraged to discover that the staff turnover at Baillie Gifford is very low. To me, this shows that they really look after their people.

My work on the programme has been very varied. One of my training projects was to look at different aspects of setting up a new entity in Shanghai, including putting together a business licence, preparing cashflow, estimating a five-year budget and creating a business plan for the regulator. This has helped me to really understand what’s involved in setting up a business. Within the Finance department I was responsible for the firm’s IT budget and helping to look after foreign tax jurisdictions including our Hong Kong and the US offices. Since qualifying, I’ve been able to really take the lead on projects, chairing meetings and taking questions, which I think shows a clear progression in my skills.

There are so many options to consider when it comes to my future here at Baillie Gifford. I could stay in the Finance team, move to Client Accounting or one of the Fund Accounting teams for North America or Europe. Baillie Gifford is really growing in Asia and the company has even provided a personal tutor for me to learn Mandarin. It’s been fantastic to be supported in this way and, after a year of lessons, I’m almost fluent!