Tushar Tomer

I first joined Baillie Gifford through the 2024 summer internship and returned in September 2025 after receiving a full-time offer. That route into the firm suited me because it gave me a clear sense of what working here would actually be like.  

During the interview process, I was struck by how much the conversations focused on me as a person rather than trying to catch me out with technical questions. The company was genuinely interested in how I think, what I'm curious about and where I might align.  

That has carried through into the graduate programme itself. One of the reasons I was attracted to it was the chance to do proper rotations and build depth in each placement, rather than feeling siloed too early.  

As well as my interest in modern technology, I was particularly keen to get exposure to legacy technology. My programme manager listened to my interests and has helped arrange placements that reflected them. Having experience with both newer technologies and legacy systems has given me a broader skill set and a better understanding of the systems underpinning the business.  

I am currently working on a long-established system that plays an important role in supporting mandate compliance. It is the sort of environment where there is a lot to take in at the beginning, and I was told early on that it would be challenging. That made it even more rewarding when things started to click.  

My day usually begins with emails and messages before I pick up stories from the board and work through them across their full lifecycle, often over a week or two. 

What I have enjoyed most is pushing myself to reach a point where I am making a genuine contribution. The highlight for me has been getting to grips with a complex system, hearing positive feedback and feeling that I am making meaningful progress.  

The graduate training is helping me develop key skills for my role and to understand the wider firm. The Investment Operations Certificate (IOC) deepened my understanding of portfolios, instruments and restrictions, while broadening my general finance knowledge and appreciation of other teams’ roles. 

Baillie Gifford is a friendly, collaborative and curious place to start a career, and I like that I am learning not just how systems work, but why they matter. 

Please note that any references to current teams in bios are as of the time of writing and may not reflect the current situation due to the nature of the programmes.