Lauren Hyslop

“The best investment question isn’t what should I buy, it’s what do I actually know, and how sure can I be?”

Most investment professionals come from a finance or economics background. I came via philosophy, and I’d argue it’s made me better at this job, not despite the difference, but because of it.

I studied logic, philosophy of mathematics, and epistemology at the University of Glasgow, graduating with a first-class MA. Logic trains you to follow an argument precisely; epistemology trains you to ask what we actually know, and how confident we can be in it. Those turn out to be exactly the right questions for markets.

I joined Mattioli Woods in 2016 as an Investment Manager, working alongside our financial planning consultants. I’m responsible for portfolio construction and management across equities, bonds, and alternative investments, monitoring markets, analysing performance, and keeping portfolios aligned with clients’ objectives and risk tolerance. I also lead the Tax Efficient Investment Panel, selecting and monitoring VCT, EIS, and Business Relief products.

I’m a Chartered Member of the CISI and hold the Investment Advice Diploma, having completed both the financial planning and advice, and securities final examinations. This qualifies me to advise on and deal in securities as well as retail financial products.

My current focus in macroeconomics is how geopolitical shifts and the rise of AI are reshaping how markets value companies. Distinguishing genuine structural change from short-lived hype is central to the job, and I’m comfortable challenging consensus when the evidence points elsewhere.

Outside work, I have a keen interest in animal welfare, with several rescue dogs, and compete in obstacle course racing.