Managers team up to bring investment trusts to 30-somethings

Baillie Gifford, Henderson Global Investors and F&C Investments have teamed up to present a roadshow aimed at introducing investment trusts to young professionals considering savings options for their future.

The first event will take place on the evening of 7 October 2009 at the Sheraton Hotel and Spa in Edinburgh and will be chaired by David Harris, director of consultancy InvaTrust and a former deputy director-general of the Association of Investment Companies.

Those attending will have the chance to hear from Hamish Mair, manager of F&C Private Equity Trust; Patrick Edwardson, manager of the Scottish American Investment Company (SAINTS) at Baillie Gifford; and Andrew Beal, manager of Henderson TR Pacific Investment Trust plc.

Guest speaker at the event will be Bill Jamieson, Executive Editor of The Scotsman, who describes himself as ‘a strong enthusiast of investment trusts'. Jamieson said of the idea behind the event: "Having attended afternoon roadshows for the past several years I have yearned for an evening event that would attract a wider and hopefully younger audience. This is an excellent initiative, long overdue, and I am delighted to support it."

James Budden, marketing director at Baillie Gifford, added: "Baillie Gifford is keen to give private investors every opportunity to discover or learn more about its range of investment trusts. We are delighted to support this event in Edinburgh at which, on behalf of Baillie Gifford, Patrick Edwardson the manager of the Scottish American Investment Company (SAINTS) will be sharing his thoughts on the global financial crisis and its effects with the audience."

James de Sausmarez, Director and Head of Investment Trusts at Henderson believes it is crucial for private investors to learn more about investment trusts commenting: "With very low rates of interest and rising tax rates, private investors need to make their money work harder and investment trusts with their low charges, global investment reach and professional managers provide an attractive solution". Henderson's speaker Andrew Beal will be discussing why Asia-Pacific offers some of the most exciting growth opportunities anywhere in the world in a talk entitled "Asian equities: why you need more in your portfolio!"

Meanwhile, F&C's Hamish Mair commented: "Private Equity investment trusts have an excellent long term reputation for value creation and having been de-rated now offer an unusually good opportunity for younger more adventurous investors to strengthen their portfolios. I will be describing some of the hazards and opportunities and characteristics of this distinctive and often misunderstood asset class."