With global research suggesting that closing the gender gap could raise GDP by over 20%, and current projections showing gender parity won’t be achieved until 2215, this competition is a critical step towards transforming the financial sector in Scotland.

The competition crowned Fortrose Academy as the senior category champions, who will receive £1,000 for their school, and Mearns Castle High School as the junior category winners, securing £800 for their school.

The 2024/5 competition reached an impressive milestone, with 40 students aged 14-18 from 8 schools competing in the finals, emerging from 147 total entries across Scotland. The participating schools included teams from the Highlands, Moray, Argyll and Bute, Dundee, East Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire, and Edinburgh.

Future Asset has seen remarkable growth since its inception, expanding from just 13 schools participating in 2020 to 100 schools in 2024. More than 2,700 students have taken part in the program so far, with investment professionals from 58 firms joining as mentors and coaches. The initiative has also seen a 35% increase in membership/sponsorship in 2024/5.

Notably, Oban High School achieved a remarkable hat-trick, reaching the finals for the third consecutive year. Mearns Castle High School demonstrated exceptional performance with teams in both junior and senior categories, with two sisters participating – one in each team.

The competition offered participants a unique 10-week challenge, pairing each team with a dedicated Competition Coach from the investment industry. Students gained hands-on experience researching and building investment cases, with opportunities to visit firms including aberdeen, Baillie Gifford, BlackRock, and others.

This year’s competition involved over 100 competition coaches from 43 firms, with 19 coaches nominated for the prestigious Competition Coach of the Year award in recognition of their outstanding support to students.

Special recognition was given to students from Marr College and St Ninian’s High School, who received awards for the Best ESG case and Best Elevator Pitch Video.

Jen Mair, CEO of Martin Currie and chair of Future Asset highlighted the initiative’s broader impact: “This year’s International Women’s Day theme of ‘Accelerate Action’ perfectly captures what we’re doing.

“By supporting these talented students, we’re actively working to create a more dynamic and inclusive industry. Our goal is to ensure no girl believes being female is a barrier to her career ambitions.”

Since 2022, Future Asset has hosted over 30 events, including a Scottish Parliament reception, bringing together students, professionals, and educators to foster connections and share knowledge across the investment industry.

The awards ceremony, taking place the day before International Women’s Day 2025, will feature a speech by Future Asset Alumna Beth Powrie. Currently completing her degree at the University of Edinburgh, Beth will be starting her job at Goldman Sachs this summer.

The event will also celebrate alumnae from every competition year since 2020, showcasing the long-term impact of the program. From Ailey Porter, a 2020 winner now studying International Business, to Emma Darling and Abby Macleman from last year’s competition, the alumni represent a growing network of talented young women in finance.

Students like those from Mearns Castle High School shared their enthusiasm. One student, Holly, noted: “Future Assets was a wonderful opportunity that really taught me a lot about businesses and finance, which is definitely a career path that I’d be interested in later in life.”

Another student, Jessica, added, “I learned a lot about what makes a good business and good investment,” while Nithya highlighted the collaborative aspect of the competition.

Future Asset is calling on firms to support their practical action with girls across Scotland and enable them to support even more students in 2025 and beyond.