About the speakers

Donald is head of the Japanese Equities Team, which he joined in 2008. He is currently the manager for the Japan Growth Strategy, which he has run since its inception, and is also a member of the International Alpha Portfolio Construction Group. Donald joined Baillie Gifford in 2008 and became a partner of the firm in 2017. Donald has over 35 years of investment experience, almost all dedicated to Japan having worked in Tokyo, London and now Edinburgh. Prior to Baillie Gifford, Donald spent 20 years working for Schroders as a Japanese specialist and latterly Head of the Pan Pacific Equity Team. Between 1991 and 1995, he headed Schroders’ research team in Tokyo. He graduated with MA (Hons) in Arabic Studies from the University of St Andrews in 1987 and is a CFA Charterholder.
Related insights

Tokenisation in 15 minutes
Theo Golden explores how tokenisation could make digital assets easier to hold, transfer and verify, while preserving client protections.May 2026
Video|15 minutes
International opportunities: creative destruction
Paulina McPadden explores how creative destruction can reshape international markets and create long-term investment opportunities.May 2026
Video|33 minutes
Why Baillie Gifford for emerging markets
Qian Zhang explains Baillie Gifford’s long-term approach to investing in emerging markets.May 2026
Video|3 minutes
Related investment strategies

Japan All Cap
Discover Japan's untapped potential. Focusing on fundamentals, we try to find mispriced, under-appreciated growth opportunities.
Japan Core Growth
We try and find Japan's undervalued assets through a fundamentals-driven approach for investors seeking potential growth opportunities.
Japan Growth
Unearthing Japan's hidden opportunities, our strategy targets emerging disruptors, strong franchises, and corporate reform for growth.

