Director talk: Vanessa Neill
Vanessa is non-exec director and chair of the ESG Committee at CVC Income & Growth.
In the boardroom
How would you explain your role to somebody who was new to investment trusts?
As chair of the ESG Committee, I make sure the company’s ESG policy is aligned with CVC Credit’s ESG integration. Together with the rest of the Board, I’m also involved in monitoring the performance of the investment manager and ensuring that shareholder communications are effective and timely.
What’s the number one skill you bring to the board?
I bring my significant experience over many years in sustainability and ESG, which enables me to decode sustainability issues and understand how they impact different aspects of the companies’ policies and strategies.
With over 20 years’ strategic communications experience, I also have a keen eye for communicating in the most effective way possible, ensuring shareholders are informed and engaged.
Who’s been the biggest influence on your career?
I have been fortunate to have had a number of managers and friends who encouraged me to explore opportunities. For example, I worked for the former head of marketing communications at Merrill Lynch, who has remained a mentor to me. I was also inspired by a number of outstanding female leaders when I worked at Credit Suisse.
I recently visited Australia for the first time and enjoyed its healthy lifestyle and interest in sport, beautiful scenery, innovative and varied cuisine and excellent coffee.
Vanessa Neill, non-exec director and chair of the ESG Committee at CVC Income & Growth.
What is the proudest moment of your career?
Two occasions come to mind, both in 2023. The first is completing my three-year Postgraduate Masters Diploma at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leadership (CISL), and the second is becoming a co-founder of Ochre Partners with my partner, Lucy Carver. We advise leading global private and public companies on their sustainability strategy, operations and communications, and have seen year-on-year growth since inception.
What’s the most challenging part of your job as a trust director?
As a board, we have faced two challenges. The first is to grow the trust’s assets under management. Thanks to the support of Cadarn Capital, we have successfully broadened the diversity of our investor base. We have seen considerable growth in demand from retail platforms. CVC Income & Growth has also been one of the top issuers of shares in Q4 2024 and Q1 2025.
Our second challenge has been to educate investors about corporate credit as an asset class and how it should be part of a diversified investment portfolio. We have done this through investor update calls, thought leadership campaigns and proactive media engagement with Morningstar, FT Adviser, Trustnet and This is Money, to name a few.
Away from work
Of all the places you have visited on your travels, which comes top of the list and why?
It’s so difficult to choose. I recently visited Australia for the first time and enjoyed its healthy lifestyle and interest in sport, beautiful scenery, innovative and varied cuisine and excellent coffee. Ultimately, travel is about who you share the experience with.
What food couldn’t you live without?
I can’t live without dark chocolate!
What are you terrible at?
Technology is not my strong point, but I do embrace it and am not afraid to bring in the experts. I also appreciate how technology is an enabler and can improve work efficiency and facilitate innovation in business, including sustainability.
What is a hidden talent that few people know you have?
My knowledge of art history, having worked in the Old Master Paintings and Drawings department at Sotheby’s earlier in my adult life.
What do you do for fun?
I play tennis several times a week at the Queen’s Club and enjoy going to the theatre and art exhibitions. I have recently seen the exhibition, Silk Roads at the British Museum and Kyoto, a compelling new play about the UN’s landmark climate conference in December 1997.
