Director talk: Helen Sinclair
Helen is a director of Blackrock Smaller Companies Trust and Shires Income, and chairs Octopus Future Generations VCT.
In the boardroom
How would you explain your role to somebody who was new to investment trusts?
I think the NED role is to help optimise returns to shareholders – which involves looking at many levers. For example, that might involve discussing the strategic direction with the investment adviser or changing suppliers to obtain best value for the company. Or it could mean improving marketing and PR to help create more demand for the company’s shares, or reassessing performance incentive schemes. It’s very varied. Overall, it’s to help steer the company so that it complies with all its regulatory obligations while ensuring that the investment manager continues to do a good job.
Who’s been the biggest influence on your career?
My first job was at brokerage firm Sec Pac Hoare Govett (SPHG) where I thought I might end up as a stockbroker, having enjoyed the fruits of some luck in share trading whilst at university. I did a stint during the graduate programme at the private equity division of SPHG, which turned my head; some stellar advice from Bert Weigman and Robert Lindemann inspired my move to 3i to focus on venture capital investing.
As NEDs know, compliance obligations and regulations have increased over time, and the time commitment for ‘business as usual’ has gone up.
Helen Sinclair
What is the proudest moment of your career?
It’s always rewarding to be involved with top-performing investment advisers. In the VCT world I served on some of the VCT boards of YFM and Mobeus for many years, and those companies were top performing funds. That was very satisfying.
What’s the most challenging part of your job as a trust director?
As NEDs know, compliance obligations and regulations have increased over time, and the time commitment for ‘business as usual’ has gone up. Work ratchets up significantly when any corporate action is being considered – whether that’s mergers, dealing with activist shareholders, or considering ways to try to deal with persistent discounts.
What advice would you offer to new directors?
I think attending as many industry events as possible is helpful. That includes useful seminars and conferences put on by the AIC and many legal and accounting firms for example. It’s a steep learning curve so listening to other peoples’ experiences is always valuable.
Away from work
Of all the places you have visited on your travels, which comes top of the list and why?
I love travelling, and there are very many places I’ve enjoyed visiting, from Easter Island to Antarctica, Galapagos Islands to Laos. One of my favourite places is Caesarea in Israel, with its wonderful Roman remains. My favourite hotel is the Jumeirah Beach in Dubai, which I’ve returned to on many occasions.
What food couldn’t you live without?
Easy. Chocolate.
What are you terrible at?
Cooking.
What is a hidden talent that few people know you have?
One of my daughters has a sphynx (hairless cat) and while she’s at university I am chief cat carer. I have managed to keep our relatively elderly sphynx alive and well.
What do you do for fun?
I’m about to be an empty nester, but spend as much time as possible with the family. Our kids range in age from 18 to 30. I once again will have two of my children at Cambridge at the same time, so I will spend a fair amount of time popping up there and eating a lot!
Helen is also a director of Sherborne Investors (Guernsey) C and North East Finance Ltd.
