Baillie Gifford has promoted Helen Xiong to co-manager of the Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust.

Ms Xiong moves in to her new role from deputy manager of the trust. She will co-manage the trust alongside Gary Robinson, both have done so since its launch in March 2018. Both are also part of the US equities team.

She joined the company straight from University and has spent time working with its developed Asia, UK, North America, Emerging Markets, and global equity teams.

According to Baillie Gifford, the trust “aims to identify exceptional growth companies in North America and employs a long-term investment approach. It was launched by Baillie Gifford to provide the flexibility to invest in both public and private markets within the region, and as of 30 November 2018, has £259.86 million assets under management.”

The trust has been a strong performer since inception and currently trades at a premium to its NAV of 6.2 percent. It has also outperformed the Association of Investment Companies North America by more than 100 percent, returning 10.5 percent versus the AIC's 5 percent.

Gary Robinson, co-manager, Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust welcomes this promotion: “The co-manager structure better reflects Helen’s very strong contribution and our team-based approach to portfolio management.”

Baillie Gifford, is an Edinburgh-based asset manager with £196 billion in assets under management.