Shireesh

Shireesh is Deputy Head of the Global Active Equities team in the Public Equities department. He is responsible for managing GIC’s Developed Markets-focused public equities portfolio, with a focus on Europe. Leading the team based in London, he manages a team of experienced investment professionals and builds relationships with corporates and other counterparties in the region to position GIC as the first port of call for investment opportunities. 

Outside of work, he is all about family first, and loves nothing more than spending time with family over a range of activities such as camping, coasteering and biking across the countryside. As a photography enthusiast, he spends most of his vacations admiring awe-inspiring natural wonders—be it trekking through India’s wildlife safaris or chasing the elusive Northern Lights in far-flung corners of Iceland. 

Why did you decide to join GIC?

I was looking for a platform where I can learn and challenge myself. I found GIC as this unparalleled platform where I could experience different challenges across different teams, asset classes, and markets. Fast forward to today, I have done exactly that moving through different asset classes and geographies. I know that I made the right decision to join GIC as an Assistant Vice President more than 15 years ago. 

What does your typical workday look like?

My day kicks off with a deep dive into my inbox, scrolling through emails and soaking up the latest market buzz. Apart from the key financial news channels, I read a variety of sell-side research reports by experienced analysts. Most importantly, I spend a lot of time reading reports and updates from my own team and the teams in GIC that leverage their in-depth industry experience. However, being on the buy-side also means that we are inundated with a huge amount of information daily. So, I make sure to focus my attention on the most insightful and meaningful research that helps me connect the dots. 

Next up, it is time for a team huddle to touch base on ongoing projects and brainstorm new ideas and have stock debates. These internal catchups are punctuated with external meetings with corporates—typically top management of companies that we own or are interested in, as well as sell-side analysts and intermediaries who help us sharpen our views on prospective ideas. Lastly, the day is interspersed with individual catchups with team members to understand their priorities, listen to their challenges (and help solve them), and guide them to do their jobs as best as they can. 

What do you like most about working here?

GIC has a fantastic platform and brand name in Europe, which positions us as the first port of call for most corporates in the region. What really gets me going is the way we work together as a team to harness the power of that platform, creating a proprietary edge and unique investment opportunities that create significant value for GIC. 

I also like that GIC has a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We know that the journey is not always easy, but we are taking concrete steps to get there. Here in the London office, we are at the forefront of many of these initiatives. For example, we are proud supporters of Girls are Investors, a charity dedicated to boosting gender diversity in asset management by nurturing a talent pipeline of entry-level female candidates, and 10,000 Black Interns, an initiative that helps create paid internship opportunities for Black students and graduates to promote equity of opportunity. 

How would you describe the learning & development culture at GIC?

One of the biggest things I value in my career is growth. It is all about pushing myself to learn new things, sharpen my skills, and make a bigger impact on my team and the organisation as a whole. GIC provides a treasure trove of opportunities for employees to grow tremendously through learning and new responsibilities, as well as make an increasingly meaningful impact on the performance of the organisation.  

What you should know before joining GIC

When it comes to work, one of the most important things to consider is the people you work with. At GIC, I have been fortunate to be surrounded by talented and friendly colleagues who are always willing to share their knowledge and insights. Having great co-workers who challenge you to raise the bar and support you when you need it makes all the difference in the world!