Compared to more established economies, the value of investments in emerging markets may be subject to greater volatility owing to differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic, political instability or less developed market practices.
Change Brings Opportunities for Long-Term, Structural Growth
The global pandemic may have created disruption and come at a heavy social and economic cost, but we believe its biggest implications for investors are as something that accelerates or exacerbates the areas of unusual change that we seek to take advantage of as emerging-market specialists, and which we tap to unearth long-term, structural growth. The emerging world is a growth opportunity that is hard to ignore, especially when one considers its rich potential growth profile:
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Emerging-market economies account for more than 40% of global GDP…* -
…and for some 75% of global growth in output and consumption.* -
In Asia alone, the middle class is expected to grow from 2 billion to 3.5 billion over the next 10 years according to the World Economic Forum.**
We believe that an active and highly selective approach, leveraging ESG considerations, is the best way to unearth exciting long-term growth opportunities in this sector.
Meet the team
Emerging Markets Update: Investing in Long-Term Structural Growth
Our emerging-markets team explain their investment process and reveal some of their favorite long-term growth stories.
Paul Birchenough
Portfolio manager

Paul Birchenough is a member of Newton’s equity opportunities team. Paul joined Newton in October 2020 to manage global emerging markets portfolios. Prior to joining Newton, Paul was a global emerging-market equity portfolio manager at AXA Investment Managers, where he had worked since April 2011. Prior to joining AXA Investment Managers, Paul was a research analyst at Nevsky Capital. Before joining Nevsky Capital, Paul held various roles at KPMG, including positions in corporate finance, transaction services and audit. Paul has a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics from Nottingham University and is an Associate Chartered Accountant.
Ian Smith
Portfolio manager

Ian is a member of Newton’s equity opportunities team. Ian joined Newton in October 2020 to manage global emerging markets portfolios. Prior to joining Newton, Ian was a global emerging market equity portfolio manager at AXA Investment Managers, where he had worked since February 2012. Prior to joining AXA Investment Managers, Ian was a research analyst covering Asian financials at Matrix Group. Before joining Matrix Group, Ian was a research analyst covering emerging market financials at Nevsky Capital. Ian has a BA in Economics and Politics from Durham University and gained ACA qualification in 2003.
Past performance is not a guide to future performance. Your capital may be at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and investors may not get back the original amount invested.
* https://www.yardeni.com/pub/mscipe.pdf 23 March, 2021
** https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/07/the-rise-of-the-asian-middle-class 13 July, 2020