Growing Investment Management in Scotland

Engaging with the future Scottish workforce

Engaging the future Scottish workforce

The Investment20/20 programme has been a critical part of the early talent landscape in Scotland for over 10 years. Together, our member firms have supported over 270 trainees in Scotland to join the investment management sector.

As outlined in Scottish Financial Enterprise’s (SFE) 2023 report, Scotland has a strong reputation for asset management, with Edinburgh respected as a global centre. The vision, in collaboration with the Investment Association, is to grow asset management as part of a wider UK strategy, which will be supported by the strength of Scotland’s exceptional human capital, the financial services hubs of Edinburgh and Glasgow, and its relationship with London, the world’s second largest financial centre.

In November 2023, the First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, met with three Investment20/20 alumni trainees at the Investment Association’s Scotland Member Briefing.

_{“With around £500 billion of assets under management in Scotland, the investment management industry is a crucial part of the Scottish economy, supporting businesses and helping people to meet their long-term financial goals. On top of that, Edinburgh is the second largest investment management hub in the UK. I was pleased to have recently met with a number of young people who have passed through the Investment20/20 programme, which is focused on creating a more diverse and inclusive talent pipeline by attracting and retaining talent from a range of backgrounds into the investment management industry.”}

_{First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf}

Scotland’s new vision for financial services highlights that the growth of the sector will be assisted by a digital led transformation, and that asset managers will be able to leverage data, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies to maximise opportunities.

Reflecting this focus on technology, AI and data, Investment20/20 is partnering with City of Glasgow College to support the employability and work-based aspects of their new course, HND Technologies in Finance and Business (launching in 2024), where students will study big data, software development, data science, e-commerce, mobile technology, cyber resilience, along with a range of finance and business topics.

We will be launching a work insight week for these students, and Investment20/20 members in Scotland are encouraged to collaborate to be at the forefront of its development.

_{"City of Glasgow College is built upon our strong partnerships and the direct benefits these engagements deliver for our students. I am delighted with the success of our symbiotic relationship with Investment20/20. This trail-blazing collaboration is developing progression pipelines for our leavers, providing employer engagement sessions as well as student participation conferences, and has directly led to us launching HND Technologies in Finance and Business.}

_{Thanks to this close relationship, Investment20/20 are helping us deliver an 'insight week', providing students with hands-on experience of learning in financial institutions across the Central Belt.}

_{This mutually beneficial partnership provides networking opportunities and a talent pipeline for our students to go straight into industry after having completed our course. Our collaboration with Investment20/20 brings direct employment benefits to both our students and the financial sector and continues City of Glasgow College’s illustrious pioneering history in financial services education in Scotland."}

_{Dr Paul Little CBE}_{, Principal and CEO of}_{City of Glasgow College}

To achieve the vision of growth in asset management in Scotland, the sector needs an effective talent attraction strategy.

Investment20/20 is an important part of the solution to engage a future workforce in Scotland, delivered through a comprehensive outreach programme in schools, colleges, and universities.

Alongside education engagement, we also partner with key organisations including Skills Development Scotland (SDS), the national skills body, as part of the Skills Action Plan for Financial Services.

_{"A key part of the Financial & Professional Services Skills Action Plan is promoting financial services careers and Investment20/20 is a great example of how to do this well. Their proactive approach, using clear and simple language along with an exciting offer for school leavers and graduates, helps to connect more people from all backgrounds into a future career in the industry."}

_{Laura Wilson}_{, Sector Manager for}_{Financial Services and Fintech at SDS}

This academic year has seen strong demand for Investment20/20 talent attraction activities across schools, colleges and universities in Scotland. A recent highlight was our annual ‘Insight to Investment Management’ event at the City of Glasgow College. Almost 200 financial services students took part in workshops delivered by volunteers from Aegon Asset Management, Franklin Templeton, BNP Paribas Securities Services, M&G plc, abrdn and our partner, Future Asset, introducing career pathways in investment management.

_{“It was a privilege to be working with Investment20/20 as part of our Finance Conference 2023. Our students valued the opportunities available on the day, and the workshops enabled everyone involved to broaden their understanding of the investment sector.}

_{This conference was full to capacity, with students embracing the networking experience and learning opportunities. We are looking forward to continuing our work with the team at Investment20/20.”}

_{Chris Colvin}_{, Head of Curriculum - Finance, Accounts & Maths,}_{City of Glasgow College}

We’ve had the pleasure of working with teachers and careers teams in Lasswade High School, Leith Academy, North Berwick High School, Preston Lodge High School, St Thomas of Aquins School, The Royal High School, Wester Hailes High School, City of Glasgow College, Edinburgh College, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh Napier University, Heriot Watt University, Stirling University and University of Strathclyde.

Additionally, we engaged with 600 students from 23 Edinburgh schools at the Business Live event held at Edinburgh Napier University about careers in investment management. And we aren’t finished yet…with the summer term yet to start, there are even more activities to deliver before the year wraps up!

Both Aegon Asset Management and M&G plc in Edinburgh collaborated with us to host Investment20/20 workplace visits, giving S5 and S6 students an opportunity to get behind the scenes and take part in activities to develop their understanding of asset management and speak directly to people working in the sector.

_{"We work closely with Investment20/20, and have done for many years, to raise awareness for our Early Career offerings at M&G plc. The support for the team has always been outstanding. The events we run with them always bring in very inspiring candidates some of which have turned into brilliant apprentices with us, who go on to have successful careers. Investment20/20 also offer our current and past apprentices’ fantastic opportunities to network and learn more."}

_{Nicole Nutt}_{, M&G plc,}_{Early Careers Assistant}

There are plenty of opportunities for Investment20/20 members to join us at our talent attraction outreach activities in Scotland. Please contact the Talent Outreach Team to find out more.

To discuss partnering with Investment20/20 in Scotland please contact Juliet Leith.