Meet the manager: Abby Glennie
Co-Manager of abrdn UK Smaller Companies Growth Trust.
If you weren’t a fund manager, what job would you do?
I would love to be an architect. I’m really interested in the latest architectural styles, especially some of the unique homes appearing in remote parts of Scotland. I also admire how people are blending contemporary design with traditional farmhouses. What fascinates me about architecture, much like fund management, is the ability to focus in on a specific process and style of how you approach the work.
What was the proudest moment of your career?
I hope the proudest moment of my career is still ahead of me!
What was the most difficult moment of your career and why?
2022 was a particularly challenging period for performance, as market styles shifted sharply due to macroeconomic factors. After several strong years, it was tough to navigate the change. It required a lot of learning – understanding what the market was now rewarding and why companies that were still operationally strong had fallen out of favour with investors.
There’s often pressure at that age to have a clear career path, but it’s actually a valuable time to explore what truly interests you.
Abby Glennie, Co-Manager of abrdn UK Smaller Companies Growth Trust
What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?
There’s often pressure at that age to have a clear career path, but it’s actually a valuable time to explore what truly interests you. Don’t be afraid to try different things, connect with colleagues, networks, or friends to learn about various roles. One of my favourite parts of my job is meeting companies: it gives me a glimpse into a wide range of industries and careers. The possibilities are endless, which can feel overwhelming at 20, but it’s also exciting.
Away from the workplace, how do you spend your time?
I do pottery weekly. I wouldn’t call myself naturally creative, but I love wheel throwing. It’s a great way to unwind and teaches patience as the process is long and unpredictable! My colleagues are often ‘gifted’ the more presentable pieces I make.
We also enjoy a bit of DIY in the garden. This year we built a raised bed allotment and growing vegetables has become a new interest. Beetroots and sugar snap peas have been the stars of the season, and the pumpkins and carrots are looking promising, but I’m still not sure what went wrong with the spinach!
Tell us about the last book you read?
I recently read ‘Inside the Machine’ by David Twohig. It’s a niche read, written by an engineer who was instrumental in the development of some of the best-known cars by Nissan and Renault. I enjoyed the insights into engineering processes and problem-solving, but also the cultural contrasts between working in Japanese and French companies.
What is your favourite film of all time and why?
A tough choice, but I’d have to say ‘The Shawshank Redemption’. Sadly, some of the ‘specialness’ of movies feels lost these days with so much content available at our fingertips. As a kid, a trip to Blockbuster was a real treat. Later on, I loved watching films through LoveFilm (showing my age there!) – it was such a great service at the time. My friends and I also had Cineworld’s monthly membership, which was brilliant value and a fun way to spend time together.
In your personal life, what would you like to achieve in the next 12 months?
I love travelling and discovering new regions where I can be outdoors and explore. I love the feeling of being away from it all in more remote places. Top of my list at the moment is going hiking in the Grindelwald area of Switzerland. It’s become quite popular though, so I’ll probably aim to go off-season or find a quieter spot nearby.
