Katie is Head of Client Investment Solutions in the Multi-Asset Investment Solutions team at abrdn, having previously been the Head of the Multi-Manager Strategies team. She is also co-manager of the flagship MyFolio fund range. Based in London, Katie joined abrdn in 2011 and has over 23 years of investment experience.

Katie joined abrdn from Gartmore, where she had worked since 2007 as a portfolio manager in the fund of funds team. Previously, Katie was a private client portfolio manager and fund of funds manager at Kleinwort Benson Private bank and Heartwood Wealth.

Katie graduated with a BSc in Economics and Management with German from Southampton University. She is a chartered member of the Institute for Securities and Investment and holds the Investment Management Certificate.

Why is corporate culture becoming more important to you when deciding who you allocate assets to?

When allocating assets, I increasingly consider corporate culture as a crucial factor. A positive culture typically fosters diversity and inclusivity, which in turn should enhance employee satisfaction, creativity, and productivity. These elements help contribute to better decision-making and potentially lead to improved long-term investment performance. Additionally, I prioritise investing in companies that align with my personal values and beliefs, as this shared purpose fosters commitment to success.

In your view, why is it important to set a higher standard of stewardship and behaviour within the investment industry?

Setting a higher standard of stewardship and behaviour in the investment industry is important to me because it is essential that companies consistently act responsibly and ethically so I can have confidence in their integrity so they will always do the right thing by the clients and other stakeholders.  This commitment to doing the right thing not only benefits individual investors but should also contribute positively to society and the environment. By upholding these standards, we can create better transparency in our industry, bolster investor confidence, and pave the way for better outcomes.

Why did you decide to sit on the ACT Stewardship Council, and what does it mean to you personally?

Having been in the industry for 24 years, there has never been a consistent way of analysing a firm’s approach to stewardship, which should be an essential part of every investment decision-making process.  The ACT framework is pivotal in driving positive change within the industry, by championing transparency and alignment between external and internal values, I am really excited to be part of the council to help support and drive the change!