The changing nature of markets and the variety of roles and sectors across investment management are key factors in why this career path is so exciting and dynamic.
At our Early Career Panel and Speed Mentoring event, Diverse career paths in the front office, in Sydney on 10 May, we showcased different roles and pathways in the industry to a room full of engaged and ambitious young women from our Early Career Program. They also had an opportunity to meet and be mentored by a host of professional investors who were keen to share their insights and love of investing.
Our panellists included Nathan Hughes, Portfolio Manager at Perpetual, Sophia Croker, Investment Manager at TDM Growth Partners, Caleb Wheatley, Research Analyst at Macquarie and Belinda Smith, Investment Advisor at LGT Crestone. Future IM/Pact Founder, Yolanda Beattie, facilitated a conversation about their different roles and career journeys, the daily activities and issues that come up for them, and the essential skills required for their job.
Talking through a typical day in the life of an investor, a common client-centric theme emerged across all roles, but the way they worked and the issues they faced were many and varied. From finding great value stocks that will outperform the market, to building research reports, to working closely with management and boards, no one day looks the same.
“I love the fast-paced environment of markets. Things are always changing and you are always being surprised. As the custodians of other people’s money, we have a big role in influencing company decisions if we feel they are not in the best interest of the shareholder. I love going toe-to-toe with management and boards and agitating for change” Nathan said.
In the private wealth space, building strong client relationships is key as investors are dealing directly with the people who have built their wealth and entrusted it to them. Future IM/Pact has recently welcomed LGT Crestone as our first wholesale private wealth partner to bring this different investment perspective to our community.
“We are very much on the side of the investor. We’re building their wealth and have very deep and personal relationships with them. We are always reviewing their portfolios and often pressing the fund managers on why investments are not delivering.” said Belinda.
Working for a high-conviction early growth stage investment firm, Sophia’s role involves concentrating on just 3-4 businesses at any one time and becoming more of a partner to the business.
“We often have a seat on the board and are deep in the weeds with the management team helping them increase the probability of successful outcomes. Our role is very wide-ranging, from helping them with mergers and acquisitions to researching the competitive landscape or introducing them to potential customers. I often say this role is a bit like consulting and a bit like investment management, with the investing overlay. We wear many hats, which makes it very exciting.”
Adding value for clients is the bottom line for Caleb too in his role as a research analyst. “Whether it's finding a new angle on a stock, writing a piece of research or discussing market conditions with our industry contacts, we are always trying to add value to our clients on the sell-side.”
Panellist advice for early career women
- Start your own investment portfolio (or paper portfolio) and journal as you go – what worked, what didn’t go as expected, what did you learn, what will you do differently. This is great for self-learning and to be able to share in interviews
- Key qualities Asset Managers are looking for in candidates are strong numeracy skills, an understanding of business, and a demonstrated curiosity and passion for markets
- When trying to find/articulate your passion - think about where your general interests lie and find the investment angle (e.g. climate change, gender diversity)
- Network and attend as many industry events as you can to meet investors and build relationships with your peers
- Read widely – and not just investing books. Try reading books about cognitive bias, thinking and decision-making
- Find a mentor. Reach out to the mentors you met at this event or other industry events and build a relationship
- Stay across the financial news, trends, market deals and movements
What our Early Career Program members loved about the event
“It was so great to meet a diverse range of professionals in the investment management world. The mentors are so generous with their advice and genuinely want to see us succeed. It's clear they all really care about what they do. It was a great insight into where my career could go and how to get there. And it was awesome meeting like-minded peers and hearing their perspectives” Meg Galloway
“The Future IM/Pact Early Career panel event was terrific! The diverse panel of speakers provided valuable insights from different investing roles' perspectives, while the speed mentoring sessions offered a chance to personally engage and gain advice from seasoned professionals. This event is a must-attend for aspiring professionals in the investment industry.” Eds Lamdagan
Find out more about upcoming events and experiences on our Early Career Program page.
Laila has a rich marketing background with 17 years’ experience across a variety of industries to create meaningful, long-term connections between brands and their customers. At Future IM/Pact, Laila is responsible for all aspects of program delivery and industry partner management.
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