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John Lothian
Verified Expert in Management Consulting
Management Consulting Expert
Ipswich, United Kingdom
Toptal member since January 5, 2021
Bio
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.
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
Analog Semiconductor Turnaround and Growth Investment
ValuationDCF ModelingEquity InvestmentRisk AssessmentMarketing Research & AnalysisIndustry Analysis+ 18 more
Component Maker Recovery Investment
ValuationDCF ModelingEquity InvestmentRisk AssessmentMarketing Research & AnalysisIndustry Analysis+ 19 more
Expertise
- Equity Investment
- Finance
- Financial Modeling
- Fund Management
- International Finance
- Market Research
- Three-statement Modeling
- Valuation
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
Education
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
Certifications
AUGUST 2006 - PRESENT
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
CFA Institute
Skills
Finance
Valuation, Financial Modeling, Forecasting, International Finance, Asset Valuation, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Fund Management, Market Research, Risk Analysis, FX Risk Analysis, Equity Research, Due Diligence, Valuation Modeling, Revenue & Expense Projections, Finance Strategy, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Fundamental Analysis, Equity Research Analysis, Monetary Policy, Fundraising, Risk Models, Portfolio Analysis, Pricing, M&A (Buy-side), Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Accounting, Foreign Exchange (FX) Hedging, REITs, Lending
Industry Expertise
Financial Markets, Retail & Wholesale, Financial Services, Apparel & Accessories, Global Economics, Capital Markets, Asset Management, International Trade, Automotive, Consumer Products, Semiconductors, Food & Beverage, Luxury Goods, Industrials, Electronics, Technology, Macroeconomics, Healthcare, Real Estate, Fashion, Health, Chemicals, Software, Building Materials, Logistics, Real Estate Development, Telecommunications, Energy, Transportation & Shipping, Chinese Medicine, Entertainment & Leisure, Pharmaceuticals, Mining, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy, Food Production
Geographic Expertise
Asia-Pacific (APAC), Japan, United States, Asia, China, Europe, Southeast Asia
Data & Analysis Software
Bloomberg
Other
Finance, Economics, Markets, Equity Investment, Geopolitical Risk, Risk Management, Portfolio Management, Manufacturing, Company Research, Risk Assessment, Financial Analysis, Client Presentations, DCF Modeling, Industry Analysis, Scenario Analysis, Analysis, Investments, Business Models, Research Reports, Reports, Research Analysis, Investment Analysis, US GAAP, TMT, Stock Analysis, Stock Exchange, Turnaround, Strategy, Statistics, Statistical Modeling, Leadership, International Development & Economics, Foreign Currency, Microsoft 365, Mentorship & Coaching, Training Materials, Consumer Services, Consumer Electronics, Business Services, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Medical Devices, Marketing Research & Analysis, Tail Risk, Manufacturers, Lean Manufacturing, Statistical Analysis, Emerging Markets, Presentations, Funding Presentations, Recruitment, Restructuring, Materials Science, Healthcare IT, Due Diligence Consultant, SaaS, Software as a Service (SaaS), Startups, Pitch Decks, Initial Public Offerings, NASDAQ, eCommerce Platforms, eCommerce, Business Plan Consulting, Foodtech, Investor Reporting, Hedge Funds, Trading, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Stock Market Techinical Analysis, Marketing, Investment Banking, Option Pricing, Interim CFO, Media, Global Banking, Technology Trends, Infrastructure, Management Consulting, Consulting, Strategic Planning, Critical Thinking, Calculus, Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPAC), Life Science, Biotechnology
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