Philosophy and values
To find our clients long-term growth opportunities, we think in terms of years and decades rather than months and quarters. And when we unearth companies poised to prosper from change, we aim to be long-term shareholders on our clients behalf, supporting management to achieve the best possible results.
Long-term investing
We’re stock pickers who think differently
At Baillie Gifford, we believe that exceptional long-term returns come from backing exceptional businesses. That's why we take a bottom-up approach, focusing on individual companies with the potential to grow sustainably and reshape industries.
We do our own investment research
We dig deep into each company’s financials, leadership, competitive edge and long-term prospects. But we don’t stop there. We explore the broader context - how industries are evolving and the global trends emerging - to determine how a company fits into that future. Our investment teams collaborate across the firm and engage with company leadership to build a nuanced understanding of each opportunity.
We collaborate with experts for unique insights
To stay ahead of change, we draw on a wide range of external voices, from academics and scientists to entrepreneurs and policy experts.
These insights help us test assumptions, spot early signals of change and refine our long-term investment thinking. By combining deep research with meaningful relationships, we aim to make thoughtful decisions that benefit you and the wider world.
We back disruptors
Innovation drives growth. That's why we look for businesses introducing new technologies or business models and ideas that challenge the status quo. Some of our most successful investments started as unconventional bets before their future seemed assured. We saw their potential early and backed them for the long haul.
We’re future-focused
We invest in companies led by ambitious, thoughtful people who are building something meaningful. Once we invest, we stay engaged, working with management and helping them navigate change. Our typical holding period is seven years, giving us the time needed to participate meaningfully in their growth journey.
We measure risk by potential, not benchmarks
We believe the greatest risk is under-investing in the few long-term opportunities that drive overall market returns. That's why we build high conviction portfolios based on deep research, and care more about long-term potential than tracking an index. We construct portfolios to match client requirements, and expect individual stock selection to drive long-term returns. Not every company needs to succeed, because those that do can deliver outsized rewards.
Curious, patient, brave
These three words set us apart from our peers. Three of our investment managers share what one of those words means to them.
Curious
To identify the companies poised to become tomorrow’s leaders we have to ask ourselves big questions. The future can’t be predicted with precision, so we focus our research on magnitudes rather than decimal points. Staying curious and open-minded is essential if we’re to anticipate changing behaviours and needs over the next decade and beyond. We accept that we may only be roughly right, but that’s far better than being precisely wrong.
Paulina McPadden
Patient
To be a long-term investor requires patience. Patience in sourcing and digesting alternative insights. Patience in considering and observing how societal and technological shifts unfold. Patience in owning shares in great businesses as they navigate the inevitable twists and turns of growth.
Kate Fox
Brave
For us, brave means being prepared to stand apart from the noisy crowd. It’s the act of not selling an investment that’s deeply out of fashion but which we still believe in, even when we know that clients will challenge us. It’s buying the immature company that might fail, but that could be the next Apple or Amazon.
It’s constantly revisiting our beliefs and assumptions in an ever-changing world.
Toby Ross
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Putting clients first
Client relationships that last for decades
Our commitment to long-term thinking extends beyond investing. We build lasting partnerships with our clients, whether you're a large pension fund or an individual saver. We act with integrity, offer fair fees and prioritise doing what's right for you.
We listen closely so we can evolve our service to meet client needs, providing clear and regular updates to keep you up to date with your investments.
We focus on growth for clients, not ourselves
We never forget whose money we’re managing. Our priority is always to deliver meaningful investment returns through our long-term insights in a nuanced and ever-changing world. Our long-term growth philosophy may be fixed, but we employ flexibility and innovation to ensure we stay aligned with your evolving goals and priorities.
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Got a question? Please get in touch and we'll do our best to help you find an answer.
Leadership and culture
We’re a lasting partnership
Thanks to our independent ownership, everything we do is grounded in doing the right thing for our clients, our colleagues and future generations. Because we don’t have outside shareholders or short-term targets to worry about, we can focus on what matters most: helping our clients achieve strong results over the long run.
As the people who lead the firm also own it, they’re personally invested in its long-term success and in fostering a progressive, engaging workplace. With unlimited liability, our senior leaders are not only accountable for the decisions we make but also share the risks and rewards of how the business performs, financially and reputationally. This creates a strong sense of responsibility and stewardship and a desire to leave the business in good shape for those who come next.
As of April 2025, we have 59 partners, with an average tenure of over 20 years. Our leadership is shared by three managing partners:
Tim Campbell
Tim became managing partner, and CEO in April 2025, having been a partner of the firm since 2012. In conjunction with the two other managing partners, he is responsible for managing the partnership as well as setting and implementing the firm’s strategy. Tim joined Baillie Gifford in 1999, initially working as an investment manager in the Emerging Markets Equity Team, before moving to the Clients Department in 2007. He graduated BA in History from Trinity College, Dublin in 1997.
Malcolm MacColl
Malcolm has overall oversight of our investment departments. He joined the company in 1999 and became managing partner in 2021. He is an investment manager in the Global Alpha Team.
Amy Atack
Amy is responsible for the resourcing and development of our equity teams and has oversight of our People Department. She joined the firm in 2004, becoming chief of staff for equities in 2021 and a managing partner in 2024. Previous to this, Amy worked first in our Emerging Markets Equity Team and then the Clients Department.
We invest in our people
Great investment ideas are sparked by imaginative thinkers from diverse backgrounds who are given the freedom to explore ideas. We create space for our people to develop, with mentors who offer challenge and encouragement along the way.
Decision-making is never a solo activity because we harness the strengths of our cognitive diversity through collaborative teams. We build teams that listen to varied perspectives and actively engage with one another in open conversations to make better decisions on our clients’ behalf.
We think globally
We invest in a select group of companies around the world that we truly believe in. Our teams collaborate across regions and time zones to identify long-term opportunities and support businesses through change.
Our global perspective helps us uncover emerging trends and resilient business models wherever they are. It allows us to stay curious and make thoughtful decisions that benefit our clients and society.
Our shared beliefs
Discover what drives us. We share the values that define our thinking, with our commitment to long-term progress shaping our culture.
Valuing our people
Having diverse perspectives is not enough, we need to actively unlock them.