SWIP
SWIP is recognised not only as a market leader in the field of investment but also as a growing organisation with strong, stable backing from our parent company. This reputation means that we are internationally recognised as the employer of choice for many highly talented individuals who are dedicated to our well-defined, team based, research driven process. We employ the best people and align their interests with those of our clients.
SWIP is one of the largest asset management companies in the UK managing over £141.72bn* worth of funds, which are invested in all major asset classes, including domestic and overseas equities. We have over £19.43bn* invested in Equities worldwide, including assets in every major developed market as well as a significant presence in emerging markets.
Investment management is principally a people business. The fortunes of our clients’ portfolios and therefore SWIP are based on the ability of our investment professionals to make good decisions and implement them effectively. A blend of skill, detailed knowledge, and most of all experience is vitally important for a successful investment management business.
*Source: SWIP 31.12.2009
Portfolio Manager and Analyst
By combining the role of portfolio manager and analyst, we believe that our analysis goes one step further because portfolio management considerations such as how the stock will fit within the context of a managed portfolio are factored into our findings. We have discovered that our best ideas are more effectively implemented when the analyst and portfolio manager roles are combined.
Fundamental Research and Teamwork
We are a ‘bottom up’ investment house. All of our investment professionals carry out in-depth research. We are looking for stock pricing anomalies where the current stock price is trading below a level that fairly reflects the underlying company's long term growth prospects. Built on a research framework that encourages teamwork, our process stimulates constructive debate and exchange of investment ideas across the company’s entire staff of portfolio managers.
For equities, this involves a combination of qualitative and quantitative research looking over a ten-year period, encompassing a five-year historical analysis and a five-year forward projection. We believe this is a wider frame of reference than that adopted by our competitors, leading ultimately to better investment recommendations.
Challenging the case
The results of our investment analysis are debated at regular stock review meetings where the investment case is challenged prior to the stock being rated as a buy, hold, or sell. Our reward system is deliberately designed to encourage constructive challenge and teamwork.
Technology
We are proud of our proprietary internet-based investment portal. The portal is a powerful tool in our investment process as it affords us complete flexibility in the way we view and integrate our research. All our research, be it company data, written investment opinion or underlying portfolio weightings can be aggregated and customized to meet our fund management needs. What's more, this information is available to all our managers at any time.
What are we looking for?
You should have a strong interest in financial markets, ideally with a 1st or 2:1 in any degree subject, plus solid quantitative skills, a flair for problem solving and an impressive, confident communication style. A 2:2 degree award will be given consideration should you have further relevant qualifications and/or investment experience.
Joining the SWIP Equity team it would be advantageous to have a broad interest in international economies, finance, accounting, politics or science. To succeed you will have to be a self starter, with excellent attention to detail, the ability to see the bigger picture and the temperament to take calculated risks. You will be able to demonstrate strong decision making skills and the ability to form solid conclusions, sometimes with partial information and be able to explain and clearly communicate your findings to others.
