Stewart Duncan

Home / Career Developemnt / Alumni programme / Alumni stories / Stewart Duncan

Kames Capital

Investment Specialist Support |

School/College Leaver

Why do you enjoy your job?

No two days are ever the same in my role and the opportunities given to develop and learn are endless. My role includes excel based data tasks, daily performance reporting, updating the wider business with our key fund selling points, conducting competitor analysis and assisting in any ad hoc/bespoke requests from the wider business. I am involved in the fixed income weekly strategy and stock selection meetings as well as meeting strategists from other firms and attending other asset class and department meetings. The diversity of my role and the chances to meet and learn from experienced people are only two of the many reasons I enjoy working at Kames.

What is the most challenging thing about your job?

After leaving school, I joined RBS in the personal and business banking sector. Having gained a basic knowledge in finance I was keen to progress my career in this field and I came across the role at Kames on the Investment20/20 website. At first, I was apprehensive coming into an industry I didn’t know much about. The resources provided by Investment20/20 and the support offered by my colleagues has considerably changed that, in only a few months I am beginning to understand the ins and outs of the industry although there is still very much to learn.

How did you get into your job?

With limited experience in finance and no experience in asset management, the deluge of terminology and jargon used has been the hardest part to get to grips with. Learning what the words and concepts mean is one thing but learning how they are used in practice is the most challenging part.

What are your future aspirations?

When I left school I wanted to work in financial services. RBS was a great starting point as it gave me a broad experience in the retail banking sector however Kames has opened my eyes to a new and exciting side of finance. I have started to study the IOC through Investment20/20 and afterwards I hope to continue my development through further qualifications. For the future I can see a job in asset management being something I would want to continue and enjoy.

How would you sum up your Investment20/20 experience?

Starting off in a challenging professional environment can seem daunting however the support you are offered and the patience from my team has made it a whole lot easier.