James Smith has been appointed co-portfolio manager on the £224m Baillie Gifford UK Growth Trust to serve alongside current managers Iain McCombie and Milena Mileva.
Under current leadership, the portfolio has delivered a 42.1% total return over the past three years, compared with a 55.3% total return from the FTSE All Share, according to FE fundinfo data.
Smith has been with the UK team since 2022, contributing to the UK team’s investment thinking, company analysis and risk management.
This appointment follows the news that Smith was appointed co-manager on the Baillie Gifford UK Core strategy last year.
James Budden, global head of marketing at Baillie Gifford, said: “This move recognises the impact James is already having behind the scenes.
“His formal appointment to the team adds to the investment resource on Baillie Gifford UK Growth Trust, allowing for wider scope when it comes to researching exciting growth companies listed in the UK.”
Before joining the team, Smith served as an investment manager at the sovereign wealth fund Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, with a focus on UK equities. He started his career as an equity research analyst in 2012.
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