Baillie Gifford's income fund: It's important to be invested in growth businesses

UK dividends dropped 40% in 2020

clock • 2 min read

Toby Ross, investment manager on Baillie Gifford’s Responsible Global Equity Income Fund, explored whether there is a trade-off between sustainability and investment objectives, and what constitutes a truly responsible investment in a recent Working Lunches event with Professional Adviser.

Last year was a significant stress-tester for UK-based income investors. Dividends in the UK market plummeted more than 40% as businesses suspended pay-outs to investors. A recent study by Link Group found that UK companies were unlikely to return pre-Covid dividends until 2025 as payments to investors halved in the first year of the pandemic. Companies with unsustainable business models and practices found themselves falling victim to divestment from large investment managers. According to Toby Ross (pictured), Baillie Gifford's Responsible Global Equity Income fund performed well la...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Investment

Risk Warning Review plans aim to address 'negative framing' of investing

Risk Warning Review plans aim to address 'negative framing' of investing

Lowest investment rate in G7

Alex Sebastian
clock 09 April 2026 • 2 min read
Equity fund outflows hit £1.44bn during war-torn March

Equity fund outflows hit £1.44bn during war-torn March

Calastone Fund Flow index shows

Professional Adviser
clock 09 April 2026 • 2 min read
Quality investing: Holding conviction when markets test investors

Quality investing: Holding conviction when markets test investors

Quality investors have no doubt had their conviction 'severely tested' of late

Scott Spencer
clock 31 March 2026 • 5 min read