Robert Higginbotham

Robert Higginbotham, CFA: A Distinguished Career in Finance

Robert Higginbotham, CFA, has built a distinguished career in finance, extending over two decades and involving a variety of significant roles in some of the most recognized companies in the financial sector. His education and experience portray a professional deeply committed to excellence in finance and investment.

Educational Background

Robert's educational background is robust and underscores his expertise in finance. He is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at NYU Stern School of Business on a part-time basis, which highlights his dedication to continuous learning and professional development. Earlier in his academic journey, Robert earned a Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Alabama, majoring in Quantitative Finance with minors in Economics and Mathematics. This combination of disciplines provided a solid foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of finance.

Career Progression and Leadership Roles

Throughout his career, Robert has held several pivotal roles, demonstrating his versatility and leadership in the field. Currently, he serves as the Senior Vice President of Corporate Finance, Investor Relations, and Treasurer at Foot Locker. Since joining Foot Locker in January 2022, Robert has rapidly progressed through positions of increasing responsibility. His roles have included SVP of Investor Relations and Financial Planning & Analysis, Interim Chief Financial Officer, and his current senior executive position.

Previous Experience

Before his tenure at Foot Locker, Robert contributed his expertise to Guidepoint as a Consumer Strategist. In this role, he led a team responsible for conducting thorough research on various consumer sectors, sharing crucial industry trends, and aiding institutional investors. His deep understanding of the consumer market's intricacies facilitated impactful insights and strategic guidance.

Robert's career also includes significant experience in portfolio management and equity research. At BTG Pactual, a leading investment bank, he served as a Senior Analyst and co-Portfolio Manager, where he co-managed a Consumer/TMT Equity portfolio and conducted extensive company and industry analysis. Prior to this, at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, his contributions as a Senior Research Analyst involved leading coverage of the Aftermarket Automotive sector, further showcasing his analytic prowess.

Earlier in his career, Robert held a Vice President position at Goldman Sachs, focusing on sell-side equity research in the Hardlines Retail sector. His work contributed to a top-ranked team and involved driving macroeconomic research. Additionally, his tenure at AllianceBernstein as an Associate on a top-ranked research team helped enhance the team’s performance and ranking.

Early Career and Technical Roles

Robert's career began with technical and analytical roles that provided a strong base for his subsequent achievements in finance. He worked as an Associate Statistical Analyst at Macy’s, where he led workflow procedure development and conducted consumer behavior analysis. At Regions Bank, he served as a Systems Specialist, providing technical leadership and developing applications.

Skills and Expertise

Robert’s impressive career trajectory is mirrored by an extensive skill set, including financial modeling, competitive analysis, valuation, portfolio management, and market analysis. His expertise spans equities, hedge funds, and capital markets, underpinned by a strong grasp of macroeconomics and investment strategies.

Conclusion

In summary, Robert Higginbotham’s career path illustrates a significant commitment to the finance sector, marked by continuous education, varied high-impact roles, and a broad skill set. His journey from technical roles to senior finance leadership showcases his adaptability, deep financial knowledge, and strategic acumen.