Annabel Brodie-Smith has worked at the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) since 1997, explaining the many benefits and uses of investment trusts, VCTs and other closed-ended investment companies to investors and the media. She has encouraged member companies to communicate to investors in a clear and engaging way.

Annabel is currently an ambassador for Women on Boards and The Diversity Project and is a member of the ACT Global Leadership Council. In 2022 Annabel was awarded the Jackie Beard Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry at the Investment Week Investment Company of the Year awards. 

Annabel has worked at Hill & Knowlton, the PR Agency and obtained a B.A in Geography from LSE/King’s College, and an M.A from Syracuse University in New York. 

Why is corporate culture becoming more important to you when deciding who you allocate assets to? 

The investment industry has suffered a number of high-profile scandals, harming investors’ returns and damaging its reputation. A poor corporate culture was at the centre of the problems. It’s clear that a strong, open and accountable corporate culture is essential for successful investment. A culture where there’s diversity of thought and representation leads to better investment analysis, better decisions and better performance for investors.

In your view, why is it important to set a higher standard of stewardship and behaviour within the investment industry? 

It’s vital that the investment industry achieve higher standards of behaviour and governance as this will ultimately lead to better performance for investors. Better behaviour also results in a happier, more motivated team who work better together.

Why did you decide to sit on the ACT Stewardship Council and what does it mean to you personally?

When I joined the AIC over 25 years ago, there was a newspaper headline describing investment trust directors as ‘male, pale and stale’ which summed up the industry. Investment trusts have made great progress on diversity, and now 41% of directors are female. I have experienced first-hand the benefits of an open and diverse culture and through my work on the ACT Global Leadership Council I want to make this a reality for the investment industry.