It’s great to be here today and to have the chance to speak to all of you. If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be standing here today giving this speech, I wouldn’t have believed you. Back in high school, I had barely even heard of asset management. But thanks to Future Asset, I was introduced to a world I wouldn’t have considered otherwise that completely changed my career path.

My first experience with Future Asset was in S6 when I co-hosted a podcast with an investment manager from Baillie Gifford. At the time, I remember feeling completely out of my depth. Interviewing someone from such a well-respected firm felt so daunting, but that experience turned out to be such a turning point for me. Through the podcast, I learned so much – not just about investment management, but about how the industry works, how investors think, and what kind of skills actually matter in these careers.

It made me realise that asset management – and the investment industry as a whole – was exactly the kind of career I was looking for. A career where curiosity is super important, where you’re constantly learning, and where the ability to ask the right questions can set you apart.

Before Future Asset, I had planned to study Business at university. But after that experience, I was so intrigued by the investment world that I actually changed my course to Finance & Business. I wanted to learn more, and Future Asset gave me that initial push to explore opportunities I wouldn’t have otherwise. Although, I do want to mention that there are so many routes into the industry, which I know is something future asset really emphasise, and having a diverse background can actually be advantage!

But for me – that led me to apply for internships, and I was fortunate to spend time at Franklin Templeton in the Emerging Markets Equity team. The experience reinforced just how fascinating this industry is and how much impact good investing can have, and the network I built from my time there has been amazing, it’s something I’m genuinely really grateful for.

Throughout university, I continued exploring different areas of investment, interviewing with some outstanding firms. Those experiences gave me a broader understanding of the industry and ultimately led me to my next step where later this year, I’ll be joining Goldman Sachs as an Equity Research Analyst.

Looking back, one of the biggest things that helped me stand out in interviews and internships was being genuinely curious about how businesses work. A really great piece of advice I ever got during an internship was to start reading annual reports on different businesses I found interesting. Which is a super simple way to learn how companies actually operate and think like an investor. And that’s exactly the kind of insight you can gain through Future Asset – by taking part in opportunities like this and speaking to people in the industry, you’ll pick up invaluable tips that can help you stand out.

That’s why my biggest piece of advice is to Push yourself out of your comfort zone. Saying yes to something—even when it feels really intimidating – it can completely change your path. If I hadn’t said yes to that podcast, I wouldn’t be standing here today.

I think another really important piece of advice is to always ask questions. There is genuinely no such thing as a stupid question, especially in finance. The best investors are the ones who are constantly curious, and that starts now.

And finally, take every opportunity that comes your way. Even if you’re not sure whether investment management is for you, the experience, the skills, and the network you build now will be invaluable no matter what you end up doing.

Not everyone in this room will want to go into investment management – and that’s completely fine. What’s great about Future Asset is that it doesn’t just teach you about one specific career path. It helps you build research skills, analytical thinking, and – most importantly – confidence!!

At school, there aren’t always many opportunities to practice putting your ideas forward in a professional setting, but these skills will set you apart in any career. Even if you don’t go into investment, everything you’re learning through this program will benefit you down the line.

This is exactly why Future Asset is such an important initiative. It’s not just about getting more women into investment management – it’s about giving young women the opportunity to develop skills, build confidence, and connect with people who can support their careers.

For the firms supporting this, it’s a win-win. You’re not just helping students – you’re building a pipeline of ambitious young women who could be the next generation of industry leaders.

To all of you taking part in the competition – huge congratulations! It is such a huge achievement to be here today and the fact that you’ve taken part in something like this will help you so much in the future. And if you ever have questions—whether it’s about applications or just figuring out what you want to do next – please feel free to reach out. I’ve been in your position, and I’d be more than happy to share any advice that helped me along the way.