Private companies

Kitsu Egerton

Investment analyst

Connect on LinkedIn

Kitsu Egerton sitting while leaning against a table.
There are huge innovations on the horizon, and not all the value will go to incumbents. Private companies are often the first to invest in society‑shaping technologies, and there is space for them to establish new layers of growth.

Constant change

I grew up a bit all over the place. Half English, half Japanese and living in Hong Kong. The varied cultural influences prompted a period of self-reflection that eventually led me to study theology at university to work out what I believed. A simple question, complicated to answer and still ongoing.

Specialising in multireligious ethics and philosophy, I internalised that change is constant. Humans, society and reality are not static, and to think otherwise can leave you on the wrong side of history.

My work as a private companies investment analyst builds on this observation. It provides the intellectual challenge of thinking about where change is coming from, the excitement of interacting with the entrepreneurs and operators trying to instigate this change, and the fulfilment of actively supporting them with our clients’ capital.

Creating synergy

There are many businesses with a great idea, but the opportunity isn’t big enough or they are vulnerable to a larger business enveloping them. However, some of the best private companies that I’ve encountered have found a niche – a chink in a larger competitor’s armour – from which they achieve explosive growth. Sometimes, the two can develop synergies, with the smaller company serving one of the larger firm’s needs better than it could do itself, thus creating more value than either could achieve independently.

Regarding leadership, it’s a given that the entrepreneurs we meet are smart and passionate. But one factor I look for is evidence that the person at the top has built a team that complements their strengths and brings diverse skills and perspectives.

Location

Edinburgh, Scotland

Favourite book

Aldous Huxley: Island

Get in touch

Send a message to Kitsu, or email the Private Companies Team directly.

Important information

Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited is wholly owned by Baillie Gifford & Co. Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited provides investment management and advisory services to non-UK clients. Both are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The information provided does not constitute an offer of or solicitation for purchase or sale of securities or provision of any investment services. Any general enquiries regarding Baillie Gifford should be directed to the relevant individual as noted in the Contact Us section.

The information contained in this website has been compiled with considerable care to ensure its accuracy at the date of publication. However, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made to its accuracy or completeness. Nothing in this information or elsewhere in this website shall exclude, limit or restrict our duties and liabilities to you under the United Kingdom's Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 or any conduct of business rules which we are bound to comply with.

This website is informative only and the information provided should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a particular investment. Read our Legal and regulatory information for further details.