Board of Directors

Date of appointment 
May 2019; Chairman 29 April 2020

Career & background
Previously chief executive of Cazenove Capital Management which, in 2013, was acquired by Schroders, where he became global head of Wealth Management until 2019. Prior to this, chief executive of HSBC Asset Management (Europe) Limited and managing director of James Capel Investment Management.

Skills & expertise
Andrew has substantial experience in senior leadership roles as CEO and chairman in investment management and wealth management businesses. He has overseen three different multimanager businesses and under his tenure the businesses he led significantly grew and prospered.

External appointments
Non-executive director at Polar Capital Holdings plc and Cadogan Settled Estates.

Board committees

• Remuneration and Nominations Committee
• Director of Witan Investment Services Limited

Date of appointment
February 2010

Career & background
Previously Head of Research at Rensburg Sheppards and an equity strategist and Co-Head of the Investment Trusts team at BZW and CSFB. Prior to the City, he worked for Shell in Oman, leaving to take a Sloan Fellowship at the London Business School. 

Skills & expertise
Andrew’s roles prior to joining Witan have given him valuable experience of economic and geopolitical events and how they influence equity markets, along with considerable knowledge and experience of the investment trust sector.

External appointments
Chairman of The Diverse Income Trust plc.

Board committee

• Director of Witan Investment Services Limited

Date of appointment

August 2019

Career & background 
Senior Fund Manager and Head of Research at Troy Asset Management since 2011. She is the Senior Fund Manager for the Trojan Global Equity Fund and the Electric & General Investment Fund.

Skills & expertise
Gabrielle has over 30 years’ experience in fund management and has managed global equity portfolios since 2001 and European portfolios since 1998. With this background she brings knowledge of investing through market cycles and understanding of the skills required of fund managers.

External appointments
Investment director and Head of Research at Troy Asset Management.

Date of appointment 
July 2020

Career & background
Previously a managing director and co-head of pan-European banks equity research and sales at Deutsche Bank. Since 2003 she has worked as a non-executive director in the investment company, asset management, charity and social housing sectors. She was Chair of the Association of Investment Companies from 2018 to 2021.

Skills & expertise
Rachel has extensive knowledge and understanding of the equity markets from her experience in research and sales. She is an experienced non-executive director of investment trusts.

External appointments
Non-executive director of Gresham House plc and The Mercantile Investment Trust plc and Chair of the Investment Committee at Parkinson’s UK.

Board committee

• Director of Witan Investment Services Limited.
• Member of the Audit Committee

Date of appointment
April 2012

Career & background
Previously Global Head of Distribution at J O Hambro Capital Management. Prior to that, managing director of Equity Markets at Merrill Lynch Securities in London following roles in equity research and sales. She is a qualified barrister.

Skills & expertise
Suzy’s 32 years’ experience in sales and marketing roles on both the sell and buy sides of financial services has given her a thorough understanding of equity markets. Her role at J O Hambro provided her with insight into the distribution of funds to institutions and private wealth managers.

External appointments
Non-executive director at ISIO, Jupiter Fund Management plc and LV=

Board committees

• Director of Witan Investment Services Limited
• Remuneration and Nomination

Date of appointment
January 2017

Career & background
Previously chief executive of Scottish Enterprise and a former Managing Partner and Regional Industry Leader of Ernst & Young LLP. Served on the boards of FTSE 250 and other public and private companies and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.

Skills & expertise
Jack is chairman of two other listed investment companies and has developed an understanding of the needs of all stakeholders. His experience as a senior audit partner and subsequently in service on numerous audit committees has enabled him to be an effective Audit Committee Chairman.

External appointments
Chairman of European Assets Trust PLC and ICG-Longbow Senior Secured UK Property Debt Investments Limited.

Board committees

• Chairman of the Audit Committee
• Director of Witan Investment Services Limited

Date of appointment
October 2016

Career & background
Lead manager of Polar Capital Technology Trust plc since 2006 and a fund manager of Polar Capital Global Technology Fund and Polar Capital Automation and Artificial Intelligence Fund. He has been a technology specialist for 23 years.

Skills & expertise
As a highly experienced listed equities fund manager, Ben has a deep understanding of the analysis process required for investing in public companies. His knowledge of the technology sector particularly enables him to identify the risks from disruption not just to the sector but in general. Ben applies this knowledge to his questioning and monitoring of Witan’s external managers.

External appointments
Director, Technology at Polar Capital.

Date of appointment
May 2018

Career & background
Previously CEO of UBS Global Asset Management (UK) Limited and held a number of global roles at UBS prior to retiring in 2007. 

Skills & expertise
Paul‘s prior roles give him wide experience of the fund management business including equity management, marketing, people and business management. Paul also offers investment trust experience having sat on four other trust boards.

External appointments
Chairman of the Advisory Board of 33 St James’s Limited, non-executive director of Fidelity European Trust PLC and Capital Gearing Trust plc.

Board committees

• Member of the Audit Committee
• Chairman of the Remuneration and Nominations Committee
• Director of Witan Investment Services Limited