Edinburgh-based investment giant Baillie Gifford has appointed Josie Bentley as a co-manager of its top-performing £2.3 billion Baillie Gifford European Fund, joining existing managers Stephen Paice, Moritz Sitte and Chris Davies.

Bentley joined Baillie Gifford in 2016 and has worked across a variety of strategies including International Growth, UK Equity and High Yield Bond.

Bentley graduated in music from the University of Oxford in 2014.

“Since joining the European Equities team in 2019 she has become a valuable analytical resource, as well as an important contributor to the team’s stock picking process,” said Baillie Gifford.

“The Baillie Gifford European Fund aims to outperform the MSCI Europe ex UK Index by investing in European growth companies with exceptional long-term growth prospects.

“The fund has produced a return of 20.1 per cent per annum over five years compared to 10.3 per cent per annum by the index.”

James Budden, director of Retail Marketing & Distribution, Baillie Gifford, said: “Josie has quickly established herself as part of the European Equities team and has contributed significantly to idea generation.

“Currently top of its sector over the past year and with a similar long-term track record, the fund has proved very popular, and Josie’s appointment will both diversify the management team and enhance its investment proposition.

“The fund’s investment strategy remains unchanged.”

Baillie Gifford’s assets under management have soared in the past year — from around £197 billion in March to a current £335 billion.

The partnership’s high-profile funds are major shareholders in prominent global companies including Tesla, Amazon, Tencent, Netflix and Alibaba.