Kingussie High School girls aiming to be Scotland’s next generation of business brains
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Teams from Kingussie High School are among the finalists in a hotly contested competition to find Scotland’s next generation of female investors.
The Growing Future Assets contest, which encourages young women to consider a career in the world of investment management, has attracted record entries this year but two teams from the school have already beaten off stiff competition to be in the running for the top spots.
The teenagers are contesting both the 14-16 year and the 16-18 year categories and will make their final pitch to judges in March.
They’ll be battling it out with teams from across the country after competition organisers and educators, Future Asset, whittled down the contestants from 660 participants in a total of 144 teams – a 90 per cent increase on last year’s numbers.
Future Asset believes that being female should never be a barrier to progressing in a chosen career and the contest introduces senior schoolgirls to potential careers in investment, showing how working in the sector can change the world for the better and give young women valuable, transferable skills.
During the competition youngsters must prove their ability to spot the next big investment prospect by researching, analysing and pitching a company they think will be a lucrative long-term bet.
They were assisted in the process by mentoring from investment management professionals who shared their experience and provided career insights, advice and inspiration, and the support of teachers.
Lenka Nagle, faculty head of mathematics and numeracy and computing at Kingussie High School comments, “We’re absolutely thrilled that both our teams of girls - junior and senior - made it through to the final! It’s been quite a steep learning curve for them so far and that looks set to continue into the next phase. The competition has been a great way for them to gain exposure and insight to topics and ideas that their normal school curriculum doesn’t cover. I know they’re all looking forward to meeting the panel and discussing their presentations further.”
The finalists have already presented their case in a research report and three-minute elevator pitch video and will deliver an extended pitch to judges in a live final on March 9 with the winners announced on March 10.
The top teams will receive £1000 for the top senior school and £200 of vouchers of the students’ choice for each team member; £800 for the best junior school and £150 of vouchers each. Senior and junior runners-up receive £500 and £100 of vouchers and £400 and £75 of vouchers, respectively.
Helen Bradley, Future Asset programme manager, says: “This year’s competition is the most hotly contested yet. It’s been enormously gratifying to see the surge in interest from the youngsters and the commitment and dedication of their teachers and mentors.
“The popularity of the contest, particularly in state schools, means that youngsters who may not otherwise have had contacts in the industry are now plugged into the potential that a career in investment management holds.”
Competing against Kingussie High School for top spot in the senior 16-18 year age group are Preston Lodge High School (Prestonpans, East Lothian), George Watson’s College (Edinburgh) and Alva Academy (Clackmannanshire).
Challenging them for the honours in the junior 14-16 year category are girls from Hillhead High School (Glasgow), North Berwick High School (East Lothian) and Oban High School (Argyll).
For more information visit futureasset.org.uk
