What Differentiates William Blair & Company?

Commitment to Client Success
Our singularly focused mission is to help clients achieve financial success.

Independence and Employee Ownership
As the only employee-owned, full-service investment firm that has remained independent throughout its 73-year history, we have the unique freedom and objectivity to navigate challenging markets and focus on the long term. Having more than 95% of our employee base located in one central location allows for continual collegial interaction and significant knowledge exchange. Our organizational structure provides a meaningful point of differentiation in our industry and defines who we are and the high level of passion and intellectual capacity we apply to managing money. Most of our portfolio managers are principals in the firm and have an equity stake in the firm’s success. This philosophy has helped build a hard-working, results-oriented team of investment professionals with an exceptionally low turnover rate.

Bottom-up Fundamental Research
An emphasis on thorough, fundamental research is integral to our investment approach. Our analysts and portfolio managers conduct extensive research on each company that is selected as an investment. This research often includes interviewing its management, suppliers, competitors, customers, and former employees. Portfolio managers also benefit from William Blair & Company’s sell-side research, where 22 security analysts follow over 380 growth-oriented companies in the United States and abroad. Our proprietary research is purchased by respected investment management organizations worldwide seeking an independent, high-quality point of view.

Experienced Investment Professionals
The stability of William Blair & Company is reflected in the longevity of our investment professionals. Portfolio managers at William Blair & Company have an average of 24-plus years of industry experience and have worked at the firm an average of more than 13 years. For our clients, this level of stability means that relationships are developed to last, and our portfolio managers are free and well-equipped to pursue their passion: managing money for superior returns. This has been our formula for success for more than 73 years. William Blair & Company is committed to growing and retaining this highly valued source of intellectual capital as a differential advantage for our clients.