John Lothian, Finance Expert in Ipswich, United Kingdom
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John Lothian

Verified Expert  in Finance

Finance Expert

Location
Ipswich, United Kingdom
Toptal Member Since
January 5, 2021

John Lothian is an accomplished global investor and financier with nearly two decades of experience. A graduate of Columbia Business School, John has enjoyed a successful career at top-tier banks and investment houses in the US, Europe, and Japan, including M&G Investments, Lazard, and Lehman Brothers. John recently established a freelance financial advisory business because he values working directly with clients to solve their unique strategic and financial challenges.

EconomicsInvestment AnalysisEquity ResearchFinancial ModelingDue DiligenceRevenue & Expense ProjectionsValuationFinancial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)Market ResearchChartered Financial Analyst (CFA)Business Plan ConsultingAccountingFundraisingCapital MarketsDue Diligence ConsultantAsset Management ConsultingEconomic DevelopmentPortfolio Management

Career Highlights

Fund Manager
M&G Investments
Head of Research and Senior Analyst, Global Leaders Fund
M&G Investments
Equity Analyst, Technology and Materials Sectors
Lazard Asset Management

Education Highlights

Master's Degree (MBA)
Columbia Business School
Master's Degree
The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
Bachelor's Degree
Catholic University of America

Certification Highlights

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
CFA Institute

Case Studies

Work Experience

Fund Manager

2015 - 2019
M&G Investments
  • Actively co-managed more than $1 billion in Japanese equity assets, including screening, performing due diligence, executing purchases and sales, and providing risk management.
  • Raised assets under management (AUM) from roughly $400 million to more than $1.3 billion; improved fundraising by expanding into new geographic and client segments.
  • Collaborated with the senior management of target companies to provide strategic equity capital to support turnaround/recovery investments in such sectors as materials/chemicals, semiconductors, auto parts, retail, industrials, and transport/logistics.
  • Scaled investment capabilities by delivering key mid-career and new graduate hires to match growth in fund assets.
  • Created and implemented a new-recruit training program that standardized the investment process and activities while adhering to the core investment culture.
Focus areas: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Investments, Healthcare IT, Healthcare, Analysis, Macroeconomics, Restructuring, Scenario Analysis, Industry Analysis, DCF Modeling, Asset Management, Finance Strategy, Initial Public Offerings, Pitch Decks, Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), M&A (Buy-side), Real Estate, Business Models, Pricing, Software as a Service (SaaS), SaaS, Lending, Revenue & Expense Projections, Valuation Modeling, Materials Science, Financial Analysis, Infrastructure, Manufacturers, Business Services, Apparel & Accessories, Luxury Goods, Food & Beverage, Asset Valuation, Markets, Presentations, Equity Research, Transportation & Shipping, Energy, Technology, Foreign Exchange (FX) Hedging, Risk Assessment, Telecommunications, Electronics, Lean Manufacturing, Industrials, Portfolio Analysis, FX Risk Analysis, Risk Analysis, Tail Risk, Medical Devices, Consumer Electronics, Microsoft 365, Fund Management, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Markets, International Development & Economics, Strategy, Company Research, Finance, Chinese Medicine, China, Economics, International Finance, Recruitment, Leadership, Client Presentations, Funding Presentations, Statistical Analysis, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Japan, Global Economics, Turnaround, Financial Services, Retail & Wholesale, Real Estate Development, Logistics, Manufacturing, Building Materials, Media, Software, Semiconductors, Consumer Services, Consumer Products, Chemicals, Automotive, Training Materials, Mentorship & Coaching, Portfolio Management, Risk Management, Risk Models, Financial Modeling, Fundraising, Market Research, Foreign Currency, Forecasting, Valuation, Equity Investment, Fashion, eCommerce Platforms, eCommerce, Business Plan Consulting, Entertainment & Leisure, Asia, Foodtech, Research Reports, Pharmaceuticals, Mining, Oil & Gas, Research Analysis, Accounting, Investment Analysis, Bloomberg, US GAAP, Trading, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Renewable Energy, Health, Food Production, Biotechnology, Fundamental Analysis, TMT, Stock Analysis, Equity Research Analysis, Stock Exchange, Stock Market Techinical Analysis

Head of Global Consumer/Health Care Sector Research and Senior Analyst

2013 - 2015
M&G Investments
  • Led a team of three global consumer sector analysts covering approximately $6 billion of client capital across consumer and health care sub-sectors and the globe (US, Europe, UK, Japan, Asia ex-Japan, and so on).
  • Deployed capital successfully (i.e., generated investment alpha) in such sectors as luxury goods, apparel, medical devices/medtech, food manufacturing, food retail, general retail, beverages, consumer electronics, and outsourcing/business services.
  • Designed and produced detailed financial modeling and valuation work, and conducted regular interviews and robust exchange of views with senior management of major consumer sector companies as part of investment due diligence.
  • Improved teamwide level of investment output and understood consumer sector dynamics; my team members were promoted to capital-allocating positions.
Focus areas: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Due Diligence, Investments, Analysis, Restructuring, Scenario Analysis, Industry Analysis, DCF Modeling, Financial Services, Asset Management, Finance Strategy, NASDAQ, Initial Public Offerings, Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), M&A (Buy-side), United States, Business Models, Pricing, Revenue & Expense Projections, Valuation Modeling, Healthcare IT, Healthcare, Financial Analysis, Training Materials, Asset Valuation, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Markets, Presentations, Equity Research, Risk Assessment, Lean Manufacturing, Portfolio Analysis, Risk Analysis, Risk Management, Microsoft 365, Fund Management, Financial Markets, Foreign Currency, International Development & Economics, Turnaround, Economics, Finance, International Finance, Leadership, Europe, Emerging Markets, FX Risk Analysis, Global Economics, Japan, China, Medical Devices, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Business Services, Consumer Services, Consumer Products, Consumer Electronics, Apparel & Accessories, Luxury Goods, Food & Beverage, Retail & Wholesale, Mentorship & Coaching, Strategy, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Modeling, Forecasting, Market Research, Company Research, Valuation, Equity Investment, Fashion, eCommerce Platforms, eCommerce, Business Plan Consulting, Entertainment & Leisure, Asia, Foodtech, Research Reports, Pharmaceuticals, Life Science, Research Analysis, Accounting, Investment Analysis, Bloomberg, US GAAP, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Health, Food Production, Biotechnology, Fundamental Analysis, Stock Analysis, Equity Research Analysis, Stock Exchange, Stock Market Techinical Analysis

Head of Research and Senior Analyst, Global Leaders Fund

2011 - 2013
M&G Investments
  • Led investment research activities for a team of five analysts covering the US and international (Europe, UK, Japan, and Asia ex-Japan/general emerging markets) equity investment universe to deploy approximately $5 billion of client capital.
  • Generated approximately 400BPS of alpha (i.e., above benchmark performance) per annum in equities in the US, Japan, Europe, and Asia.
  • Optimized team research effort/fund investment positioning through strategic reviews of China, Japan, and the US macro picture and investment opportunity set.
  • Produced and implemented a system for standardizing investment process/decision-making, boosting standardized output from 20% of the portfolio to 100%.
  • Contributed positively to fundraising/AUM retention and growth through active marketing of research/investment activity to clients in Europe, Japan, and China.
Focus areas: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Due Diligence, Investments, Analysis, Macroeconomics, Restructuring, Scenario Analysis, Industry Analysis, DCF Modeling, Asset Management, Finance Strategy, NASDAQ, Initial Public Offerings, Pitch Decks, Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), M&A (Buy-side), United States, Real Estate, Business Models, Pricing, Software as a Service (SaaS), SaaS, Lending, Revenue & Expense Projections, Valuation Modeling, Healthcare IT, Healthcare, Financial Analysis, Apparel & Accessories, Food & Beverage, Financial Services, Real Estate Development, Logistics, Building Materials, Consumer Products, Asset Valuation, Markets, Europe, Presentations, Materials Science, Equity Research, Transportation & Shipping, Energy, Technology, Risk Assessment, Electronics, Medical Devices, Risk Management, Microsoft 365, Market Research, Fund Management, International Development & Economics, Strategy, Turnaround, Economics, Finance, International Finance, Leadership, Client Presentations, Funding Presentations, Fundraising, Statistical Modeling, Emerging Markets, China, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Japan, Global Economics, Lean Manufacturing, Manufacturers, Industrials, Consumer Electronics, Global Banking, Manufacturing, Consumer Services, Retail & Wholesale, Software, Automotive, Semiconductors, Portfolio Analysis, Portfolio Management, FX Risk Analysis, Foreign Currency, Risk Analysis, Tail Risk, Risk Models, Mentorship & Coaching, Company Research, Marketing Research & Analysis, Forecasting, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Modeling, Financial Markets, Valuation, Equity Investment, Fashion, eCommerce Platforms, eCommerce, Business Plan Consulting, Entertainment & Leisure, Asia, Research Reports, Pharmaceuticals, Mining, Oil & Gas, Startups, Research Analysis, Accounting, Investment Analysis, US GAAP, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Renewable Energy, Health, Biotechnology, Fundamental Analysis, TMT, Stock Analysis, Equity Research Analysis, Stock Exchange, Stock Market Techinical Analysis

Global Technology Sector Analyst

2010 - 2011
M&G Investments
  • Provided senior equity research coverage for roughly 50% of the global technology industry market cap.
  • Conducted a strategic analysis and developed a strategic plan to govern long-term investments in tech hardware for approximately $3 billion in client capital.
  • Carried out frequent interviews and robust exchanges of view with senior management of tech companies across regions (US, Japan, Europe, Asia ex-Japan) as part of investment due diligence.
  • Built detailed financial models, including returns analysis, sensitivity analysis, valuation, and risk assessment for evaluating investment targets.
Focus areas: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Due Diligence, Investments, Analysis, Scenario Analysis, Industry Analysis, DCF Modeling, Asset Management, Finance Strategy, NASDAQ, Initial Public Offerings, Capital Markets, United States, Business Models, Software as a Service (SaaS), SaaS, Revenue & Expense Projections, Valuation Modeling, Financial Analysis, Manufacturers, Manufacturing, Asset Valuation, Markets, Finance, Presentations, Equity Research, China, Technology, Risk Assessment, Japan, Consumer Electronics, Microsoft 365, Market Research, Financial Markets, Turnaround, Strategy, Risk Analysis, Telecommunications, Electronics, Technology Trends, Software, Semiconductors, Asia-Pacific (APAC), FX Risk Analysis, Company Research, Forecasting, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Modeling, Valuation, Equity Investment, Asia, Research Reports, Research Analysis, Accounting, Investment Analysis, Bloomberg, US GAAP, Fundamental Analysis, TMT, Stock Analysis, Equity Research Analysis, Stock Exchange, Stock Market Techinical Analysis

Fund Manager

2008 - 2009
Occam Asset Management
  • Co-managed roughly $50 million in Japanese equity assets under a long-short strategy with consistent alpha generation at the stock level.
  • Conducted rigorous due diligence on investment positions, including detailed financial modeling, valuation, and returns analysis, as well as risk assessment at stock and portfolio level.
  • Actively engaged with corporate senior management; initiated a program of profitable investments in small-cap space in such sectors as media/telco, real estate/J-REITs, and infrastructure.
Focus areas: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Due Diligence, Investments, Analysis, Macroeconomics, Restructuring, Scenario Analysis, Industry Analysis, DCF Modeling, Asset Management, Finance Strategy, Pitch Decks, Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), M&A (Buy-side), Real Estate, Business Models, Software as a Service (SaaS), SaaS, Revenue & Expense Projections, Valuation Modeling, Financial Analysis, Manufacturers, Financial Services, Real Estate Development, Manufacturing, Semiconductors, Consumer Services, Chemicals, Asset Valuation, Markets, Materials Science, Equity Research, Risk Assessment, Telecommunications, Lean Manufacturing, Industrials, Portfolio Analysis, Risk Analysis, Tail Risk, Consumer Electronics, Risk Management, Risk Models, Microsoft 365, Market Research, Fund Management, Foreign Currency, Turnaround, Finance, International Finance, Statistical Analysis, Economics, Consumer Products, Transportation & Shipping, Energy, REITs, Technology, Media, Infrastructure, Automotive, Global Economics, Valuation, Company Research, Forecasting, Foreign Exchange (FX) Hedging, FX Risk Analysis, Portfolio Management, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Markets, Financial Modeling, Japan, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Equity Investment, Entertainment & Leisure, Asia, Research Reports, Startups, Research Analysis, Accounting, Investment Analysis, Bloomberg, US GAAP, Hedge Funds, Trading, Renewable Energy, Fundamental Analysis, TMT, Stock Analysis, Equity Research Analysis, Stock Exchange, Stock Market Techinical Analysis

Equity Analyst, Technology and Materials Sectors

2006 - 2008
Lazard Asset Management
  • Built detailed financial models, including returns analysis, sensitivity analysis, valuation, and risk assessment for evaluating investment targets.
  • Conducted regular due diligence visits to companies, including interviews with senior management.
  • Expanded my organizational understanding of equity risk and opportunities in previously uncovered segments of tech materials and related supply chains in tech hardware and chemicals/advanced materials.
Focus areas: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Due Diligence, Investments, Analysis, Scenario Analysis, Industry Analysis, DCF Modeling, Asset Management, Finance Strategy, NASDAQ, Capital Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), M&A (Buy-side), Pricing, Revenue & Expense Projections, Valuation Modeling, Financial Analysis, Japan, Manufacturers, Manufacturing, Consumer Products, Asset Valuation, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Markets, Presentations, Industrials, FX Risk Analysis, Risk Analysis, Microsoft 365, Market Research, Foreign Currency, Forecasting, International Finance, Finance, Strategy, Chemicals, Company Research, Electronics, Consumer Electronics, Semiconductors, Materials Science, Technology Trends, Technology, Equity Research, Risk Assessment, Valuation, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Markets, Financial Modeling, Equity Investment, Asia, Research Reports, Mining, Oil & Gas, Research Analysis, Accounting, Investment Analysis, Bloomberg, US GAAP, Hedge Funds, Trading, Fundamental Analysis, TMT, Stock Analysis, Equity Research Analysis, Stock Exchange, Stock Market Techinical Analysis

Equity Research Analyst, Japanese Auto Parts

2003 - 2006
Lehman Brothers
  • Was awarded sole research coverage of the Japanese auto parts sector (approximately US$60 billion market cap under coverage).
  • Conducted intensive due diligence, including detailed financial modeling, valuation, and risk assessment, as well as regular contact with the management of auto parts companies and industry participants.
  • Actively marketed investment research to a global client base.
  • Awarded honorable mention by Institutional Investor survey in the first year of coverage.
  • Created a proprietary statistical model for forecasting automotive and auto parts production, sales, and earnings.
Focus areas: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Due Diligence, Investments, Analysis, Scenario Analysis, Industry Analysis, DCF Modeling, Financial Services, Pitch Decks, Capital Markets, United States, Pricing, Revenue & Expense Projections, Valuation Modeling, Manufacturers, Manufacturing, Asset Valuation, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Markets, Risk Assessment, Lean Manufacturing, FX Risk Analysis, Risk Analysis, Microsoft 365, Market Research, Foreign Currency, Statistical Modeling, Forecasting, Company Research, Strategy, International Finance, Finance, Client Presentations, Presentations, Statistical Analysis, Automotive, Japan, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Modeling, Financial Markets, Financial Analysis, Valuation, Equity Research, Equity Investment, Asia, Research Reports, Research Analysis, Accounting, Investment Analysis, Bloomberg, US GAAP, Hedge Funds, Trading, Stock Analysis, Equity Research Analysis, Stock Exchange, Stock Market Techinical Analysis
2002 - 2004

Master's Degree (MBA) in International Finance

Columbia Business School - New York, NY, United States

2001 - 2002

Master's Degree in International Relations

The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) - Washington, DC, United States

1990 - 1994

Bachelor's Degree in Greek and Latin

Catholic University of America - Washington, DC, United States

AUGUST 2006 - PRESENT

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

CFA Institute

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