Two teams of S6 girls from Preston Lodge High School have made it through to the senior final of a prestigious national competition.
Both of our teams have worked so hard, and they have really done themselves and the school proud
Future Assets aims to encourage secondary school girls to consider the world of investment. Its steering group comprises largely female professionals engaged across the Scottish financial sector with a particular focus on investment managers.
Forty-five teams from across Scotland entered its Growing Future Assets competition 2022/23. Teams must work together to research, analyse and present a research report and three-minute video pitch on a company that they believe is a great long-term investment. The report and pitch are the culmination of months of work and preparation to learn about the investment world.
Industry mentors
Preston Lodge’s senior teams attended an event at Aegon Investment Management, and were supported by their mentor Will Low, Head of Global Equities at Nikko Asset Management who visited them in school, throughout. The junior team were supported by Gill Pearce, a Project Manager at Baillie Gifford and visited the firm’s Edinburgh offices. All teams took part in weekly lunchtime meetings participating in masterclasses on a wide range of financial and personal development topics.
The top five teams have been invited to present at a live final in March – both of Preston Lodge’s senior teams have made it through to this stage. Having two out of the five teams in the final is representative of the talent and dedication of the students at Preston Lodge. Preston Lodge’s Junior Team submitted a strong report and pitch video making it through to the second round in their category but sadly missed out on a place in the finals.
"Dedicated and creative"
Team DM (Emma Watt, Grace Warnock and Chloe Watt) and Team MIPS (Naomi McGregor, Aidee Filigonio, Jorja Wilson, Skye Laidlaw and Emmy Dalgity) were delighted to learn they had successfully reached the finals.
Kate Gascoigne, Preston Lodge’s Business Education teacher who coordinates the teams, says: “I am delighted that both of the Preston Lodge senior teams have reached the finals of the Future Assets competition. The high quality of their submissions illustrates how hardworking, dedicated and creative the students are. The whole school community is proud of their success and will be rooting for them in the final.”
The winning team will receive a £1,000 for the school and each team member will receive £200 vouchers of their choice. The second placed team will be awarded £500 for the school and £100 vouchers for each team member.
"A remarkable achievement"
Preston Lodge High School Head Teacher Gavin Clark said: “This is a remarkable achievement. Both of our teams have worked so hard, and they have really done themselves and the school proud. We love the Future Asset programme because it is actively making a difference in opening up girls’ awareness of much wider possibilities when they leave school. We wish the girls all the best for the final in March.”
Mr Clark also paid tribute to the junior team made up of S3 girls Katie Fairfull, Grace Fallon, Saarah Hussain, Lucie Hutchison, Charles Melendres and Shakira Zarar.
“I’d also like to commend our Junior Team for their pitch submission and success. While they didn’t make the final on this occasion I'm sure they will be back again next year, so watch this space!,” he added.
Further information on Future Asset is available online: www.futureasset.org.uk