83. Lucy Walker - Chairing investment trusts & building a non-exec portfolio

Lucy Walker is Chair at Aurora Investment Trust plc, SID at Henderson International Income Trust plc, Audit & Risk Committee Member at SportsAid and Founder at AM Insights. Tune in to hear her thoughts on: Why did you build a non-exec portfolio so early in your career? (0:34) How have different kinds of pro bono roles helped you in your non-exec career? (3:51) How did you transition from pro bono to paid roles? (6:38) What have been the biggest challenges for you as a relatively young non-exec? (8:54) How can investment trusts reach younger retail investors? (10:54) Should investment trusts be going direct to consumers? (13:12) How are you thinking about the cost of shareholder acquisition? (14:46) What value do the boards add at Aurora and Henderson? (16:05) What process do you use to develop strategy? (19:24) Is there ever tension between what shareholders want and what will produce the best returns? (25:38) How would you assess a potential merger? (29:27) Any tips for others wanting to transition from NED to Chair? (31:14) As a Chair, what are you looking for in prospective board members? (33:46) Can you walk me through a board skills matrix you’ve done recently? (35:26) ⚡The Lightning Round ⚡(37:17)

Host: Oliver Cummings

Producer: Will Felton

Music: Kate Mac

Audio: Nick Kold

Email: podcast@nurole.com

Web: https://www.nurole.com/nurole-podcast-enter-the-boardroom