Richard Watt has more than 35 years’ experience in managing and developing equity portfolios in institutional and retail subadvisor markets globally, with an expertise in ESG integration. He was formerly Managing Director, Head of Sustainable Business (2017-2020) and Managing Director, Global Equity Portfolio Management (2007-2017) at Epoch Investment Partners. Prior to this, Richard held senior business development and portfolio management roles at Schroders and Credit Suisse Asset Management respectively.  Richard joined the Walter Scott Board in February 2023. He also joined the boards of the other UK firms under BNY Investments at the end of 2025.  Richard holds an MA in Politics and Modern History from the University of Edinburgh.

Jane is Managing Director of Walter Scott. Having joined the firm in 1995 as an investment analyst, she has held a range of investment, management, client service and governance responsibilities and was instrumental in the development of the firm’s US investment strategy. Jane co-chaired Walter Scott’s Investment Management Group before becoming Managing Director in 2010. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Marine and Environmental Biology from the University of St Andrews.

Roy is Executive Director, Investment & Client Service at Walter Scott. Since joining the firm in 1995, he has held a range of investment, management, client service and governance responsibilities. Roy was integral to the development of the firm’s emerging market capabilities, and he has played a central role in the stewardship of Walter Scott’s global and international strategies since 2007. Roy joined the firm’s Board in 2008 and is Co-Chair of the Investment Management Committee. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Statistics from the University of Glasgow.

Tom is Executive Director, Governance and Operations at Walter Scott. Prior to joining the firm in 2014 he trained with UK law firm Linklaters LLP in London and Beijing, spent five years as an associate in the London office of US law firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP and two years as an associate at Scottish law firm Maclay Murray & Spens LLP in Edinburgh. Tom joined the Walter Scott Board in November 2023. He holds an MA in Law from the University of Cambridge and completed his Legal Practice Certificate at Nottingham Law School.

Jane was appointed as Deputy General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer of BNY Investments in November 2021 and is based in London. Jane’s primary responsibility is to lead and direct legal strategies, policies and practices that support the business.

Prior to joining BNY, Jane served as General Counsel to one of BNY’s affiliates, Insight Investment, where she was responsible for managing the global compliance function and legal risk of Insight. Jane held this role for 10 years, joining Insight’s Executive Management Committee in May 2016. Before joining Insight, Jane was a Managing Director at BlackRock (and its predecessor companies) as Head of the Legal Team for all issues in EMEA ex. pooled funds.

Jane has also worked as a solicitor at Lloyds of London and started her career in 1990 as a litigator at Kingsley Napley. Jane has a first class LLB degree in Law from the University of Warwick and a BCL degree in law from the University of Oxford. She is a member of the Law Society and holds the Investment Management Certificate from the CFA Society of the UK.

Jane is a top contributor and thought leader in her field. She is a passionate advocate for all matters relating to social mobility and inclusion both in the workplace and across the industry.

John Paul O’Meara is Senior Vice President (SVP), Head of Investor Relations at Ahold Delhaize, one of the world’s largest food retail groups, a leader in supermarkets and e-commerce and a company at the forefront of sustainable retailing. He was previously SVP of Corporate Strategy at Ralph Lauren, where he designed the implementation and communication framework for execution of the group’s Next Great Chapter Strategic plan. Prior to this, John Paul held various roles at Adidas from 2006-2018 including SVP Brand Strategy and VP Investor Relations. He also worked in equity research at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein.

John Paul joined the Walter Scott board in February 2023. He holds a BBS (Hons) in Economics & Finance from the University of Limerick, and numerous certifications and further education in personal and leadership development.

Stephen Potter was formerly Vice Chairman of Northern Trust and CEO of Northern Trust Investments. During his 36-year career with the company, he served in London for eight years as CEO of Northern Trust Global Services, its principal non-US subsidiary. Stephen joined the Walter Scott Board on 1 June 2020.  He also joined the boards of the other UK firms under BNY Investments at the end of 2025. Stephen sits on a number of other boards including Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, the Miami Corporation and Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Corporation. He is also Chairman of the Japan-America Society of Chicago. He holds a degree in Economics and History from Duke University, an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, and was a Fellow at the Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative in 2019.

Jane is Managing Director of Walter Scott. Having joined the firm in 1995 as an investment analyst, she has held a range of investment, management, client service and governance responsibilities and was instrumental in the development of the firm’s US investment strategy. Jane co-chaired Walter Scott’s Investment Management Group before becoming Managing Director in 2010. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Marine and Environmental Biology from the University of St Andrews.

Roy is Executive Director, Investment & Client Service at Walter Scott. Since joining the firm in 1995, he has held a range of investment, management, client service and governance responsibilities. Roy was integral to the development of the firm’s emerging market capabilities, and he has played a central role in the stewardship of Walter Scott’s global and international strategies since 2007. Roy joined the firm’s Board in 2008 and is Co-Chair of the Investment Management Committee. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Statistics from the University of Glasgow.

Fraser is an investment manager at Walter Scott, who joined the firm in 2003. He has experience across each of the three regional research teams. Fraser holds a first class LLB (Hons) in Law from the University of Edinburgh and is a CFA charterholder.

Maxim is an investment manager at Walter Scott, who joined the firm in 2003. He holds an MA in Economics from the University of Colorado and an MSc in Investment Analysis from the University of Stirling. Maxim is a CFA charterholder.

Alan is Head of Research and a member of the Investment Management Committee at Walter Scott. He joined the firm in 2006 and holds a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics from the University of Nottingham and an MSc in Financial Mathematics awarded jointly by the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. Alan is a CFA charterholder.

Alan, Investment Manager and Sustainability Integration, is also a member of the Investment Management Committee at Walter Scott. Prior to joining the firm in 2012, he worked at ManoCap, a private equity firm based in Sierra Leone, and as a lawyer at Slaughter and May. Before university, Alan undertook an extended internship at Walter Scott. He holds a BA (Hons) in Law from the University of Oxford. Alan is a CFA charterholder.

Lindsay is an investment manager at Walter Scott. Prior to joining the firm in 2004, she trained in accountancy at AstraZeneca before focusing on European healthcare within SG Cowen’s corporate finance team. Lindsay holds a BSc (Hons) in Biology from the University of Nottingham and an International MBA awarded jointly by the University of Edinburgh and ESADE Business School in Spain.

Ashley-Jane is an investment manager at Walter Scott, who joined the firm in 2017. She holds a BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance from Edinburgh Napier University and an MSc in Finance and Investment from the University of Edinburgh. Ashley-Jane is a CFA charterholder.

Jamie is an investment manager at Walter Scott, who joined the firm in 2008. He has experience across each of the three regional research teams. Jamie holds an MA (Hons) in Mathematics and Economics from the University of St Andrews and is a CFA charterholder.

Jay is an Investment Analyst who joined Walter Scott on a permanent basis in 2021. He spent two years in the Performance team before transferring to the Research team in 2023. Prior to this he completed three internships at the firm beginning in 2019. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Economics and Management from the University of St Andrews.

Stephen, Investment Analyst, initially interned at Walter Scott and became a permanent employee in 2016, working for six years in the Performance team. Following this, he spent two years working within the Research Operations team focusing on stewardship and sustainability, before transferring to the Research team in 2025. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics and its Applications from the University of Stirling.

Tom is an investment manager at Walter Scott, who joined the firm in 2007. Prior to this, he lived and worked in Taiwan, having previously worked at Baillie Gifford. He holds an MA in Business and Economics from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh and an MFin in International Finance from the University of Glasgow. Tom is a CFA charterholder.

Maxim is an investment manager at Walter Scott, who joined the firm in 2003. He holds an MA in Economics from the University of Colorado and an MSc in Investment Analysis from the University of Stirling. Maxim is a CFA charterholder.

Des is an investment manager at Walter Scott. He joined in 2004 and has spent time across all three of the regional teams, including time living and working in Australia. Des holds a BSc (hons) in Pharmacology from the University of Aberdeen.

Oriana is an Investment Analyst who joined Walter Scott in 2023 having taken part in the Investment Intern programme. Oriana is a medical doctor and has previously rotated through many clinical specialties across primary, secondary and tertiary care settings. She holds a MBBS in Medicine and Surgery from University College London and a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science (Intercalated) from Loughborough University.

George, Investment Analyst, joined Walter Scott on a permanent basis in July 2023. Following a four month internship, George initially joined the Performance team and moved to the Research team in 2025. Prior to this he completed internships as an analyst at Barclays Switzerland. He holds an MA (hons) degree in Classics from the University of Edinburgh and graduated in 2022.

Alicia is an investment manager at Walter Scott, who joined the firm in 2025. Prior to this, she lived and worked in Paris, Hong Kong and Shanghai, having previously worked at Comgest and SAFE Investment, focusing on US equity. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Insurance (Actuarial Science) from East China Normal University.

Michael is an investment manager who joined Walter Scott in 2016 and spent four years in the Dealing team. He joined the Research team in October 2020. Michael graduated with a BA (Hons) in Economics from the University of Exeter.

Fraser is an investment manager at Walter Scott, who joined the firm in 2003. He has experience across each of the three regional research teams. Fraser holds a first class LLB (Hons) in Law from the University of Edinburgh and is a CFA charterholder.

Alan is Head of Research and a member of the Investment Management Committee at Walter Scott. He joined the firm in 2006 and holds a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics from the University of Nottingham and an MSc in Financial Mathematics awarded jointly by the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. Alan is a CFA charterholder.

Connor is an Investment Manager who joined Walter Scott as a permanent employee in 2021. Following an internship and a period contracting with the firm, Connor initially joined the Investment Operations team before transferring to the Research team in 2022. He gained an MA (Hons) in Philosophy from the University of St Andrews.

Lucia is an Investment Manager at Walter Scott. She joined the firm in 2023. Prior to joining Walter Scott, she spent five years at M&G Investments, as an Investment Analyst within Private Equity and Real Assets, and latterly within Sustainable and Impact Investing. She previously interned at both Wellington Management and Walter Scott, as part of our investment intern programme in 2016 and 2017. She holds a BA in Government & Legal Studies, with a focus on International Relations, from Bowdoin College, Maine.

Paul is an investment manager at Walter Scott who joined the firm in 2014 and recently spent one year in the Client Service team. Prior to joining the firm, he worked as a sell-side analyst at Morgan Stanley in London. Paul holds a BA in Economics from Durham University and an MA in Land Economy from the University of Cambridge.

Charlie, Business Adviser, joined the firm in 1991 and has held a range of investment, management, client service and governance responsibilities, including being a Board member since 2009. He has had extensive experience of analysing companies around the world, particularly in Europe and Japan. Having announced his intention to retire from Walter Scott at the end of June 2026, Charlie has now stepped down from all governance and committee roles. He continues to focus on investment research trips, mentoring and participating in client meetings to ensure a smooth transition. He holds a BSc (Econ) (Hons) in European Studies from the University of Buckingham.

Francis is Head of Client Service. He is a member of the Executive Committee and chairs the Client Service Committee. He successfully established our on-the-ground presence in the US in 2019 and returned to Edinburgh in October 2023. He joined the firm in 2001, initially as an investment manager before taking on his current role in 2012. Francis holds a BA (Hons) in Financial Services from Edinburgh Napier University.

Alex is Head of Walter Scott North America, a division of BNY Mellon Securities Corporation, and is based in Boston. He is a member of several governance bodies including the Executive, Client Service and Investment Management committees. He first joined the firm before university in 2006 and intermittently worked in different departments. Alex participated in the Walter Scott investment internship programme in 2009 and joined full time as an investment analyst in 2010. He performed investing roles until 2023, as an investment manager and as Co-Head of the Research team from 2016. Alex holds an MA in Law from the University of Cambridge and an Executive Education certificate from Columbia Business School.

Tom is Head of Consultants & Distribution Partners. He is a member of the Client Service Committee. Tom joined Walter Scott in 2008, following previous careers in the British Army and Cable and Wireless PLC. He spent his first six years combining responsibilities for particular stocks in the Research team along with supporting the firm’s Distribution Partner business. Tom holds a BEng (Hons) in Engineering from the University of Bristol and an MBA from Imperial College London.

Takashi is Head of Business Development, Japan. He joined Walter Scott in 2018. Previously, Takashi held a number of business development and client service roles in asset management both in the UK and Japan. He spent seven years with Standard Life Investments, ultimately heading up Japan business development. He is a CMA (Chartered Member of the Security Analysts Association of Japan) holder and has a BA in Economics from Kwansei Gakuin University, Japan.

Justin joined Walter Scott in 2016. Prior to this he was a board director of Alliance Trust’s private equity business, having been an investment manager on the North American and Asian equities teams. Justin has also worked at an activist investment boutique in London for three years, having begun his career at an international law firm in 2002. He is a CFA charterholder and holds an MA (Hons) in Japanese from the University of Cambridge.

Gustavo is a client investment manager. He joined Walter Scott* in 2022, after 11 years at Meketa Investment Group where he contributed to the firm’s client services, sustainability and research efforts. Prior to this, he worked as an investment analyst at Ernst Research and Management, a Boston-based hedge fund. Gustavo earned an MS in Finance from Carroll Graduate School of Management at Boston College, an MSM/MBA from the Arthur D. Little School of Management, an Analista de Sistemas degree from the Fundación BankBoston School of Information Science in Buenos Aires, and a Certificate of Advance Studies in Sustainable Finance at the Haute École de Gestion Geneva.

*Whilst Gustavo is an employee of BNY, he is 100% focused on supporting Walter Scott clients.

George joined Walter Scott as an investment manager in 2008, initially focusing purely on research and covering stocks in the US and Europe. Prior to joining Walter Scott he lived and worked in China, before completing a traineeship as a private client fund manager. George is a CFA charterholder and holds a BSc (Hons) in Financial Economics from the University of St. Andrews.

Margaret joined Walter Scott* in 2011 having worked in the investment industry for more than 25 years. Prior to this she was the director of BNY Mellon Asset Management’s Endowments and Foundations Resource Center and also spent 11 years at Wellington Management Company, LLP. She holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BA in Economics from Georgetown University where she played varsity tennis. Margaret is a CFA charterholder.

*Whilst Margaret is an employee of BNY, she is 100% focused on supporting Walter Scott clients.

Laura is a client investment manager. She joined Walter Scott* in 2020 having worked in the investment industry for more than 25 years. Most recently, Laura served as a strategic account manager for MSCI, managing the firm’s largest asset manager client relationships in Boston. Prior to this, Laura held client relationship management and team leader roles at Wellington Management Company, Eaton Vance and GMO. Laura began her investment career in equity research at Goldman Sachs, focusing on the technology sector. She holds a BA in Psychology from Harvard University.

*Whilst Laura is an employee of BNY, she is 100% focused on supporting Walter Scott clients.

Murdo is a client investment manager at Walter Scott, having joined the firm in 2006 and spent 12 years in the Research team focused on Japanese and US equities. He joined the Client Service team in January 2019. Prior to joining Walter Scott Murdo lived and worked in Japan for six years. He holds a BA (Hons) in Japanese and Marketing from the University of Stirling and level 1 Japanese language proficiency test.

Tom is a client investment manager. He joined Walter Scott* in 2020 after spending over 27 years at BNY and its predecessor organisations. Most recently, he held the role of Director and Head of US Product Management within BNY Investments’ North American Distribution arm. He holds a MBA from Fordham University and a BS from Providence College. Tom is a CFA charterholder.

*Whilst Tom is an employee of BNY, he is 100% focused on supporting Walter Scott clients.

John is a client investment manager at Walter Scott, who joined the firm in 2025. Prior to this, he was an Emerging Market Investment Specialist at Baillie Gifford, where he had worked since 2017. John holds a BSc (Hons) in Physics from the University of Glasgow.

Dennis is a Client Investment Manager. He joined Walter Scott in 2015 and has worked in the investment industry since 1987. Prior to joining the firm, he spent ten years as an investment manager at Ignis Asset Management, working in both London and Glasgow. Dennis holds a BA (Hons) in Economics from the University of York.