Director talk: Julia Chapman
Julia is senior independent director of GCP Infrastructure Investments.
In the boardroom
How would you explain your role to somebody who was new to investment trusts?
It’s one of oversight – a bit like a critical friend to the investment manager: you need to make sure they deliver the mandate to shareholders, but you are not helping them do their job on a day-to-day basis.
My specific role on the GCP Infra board is that of senior independent director. If the chair is absent I would take over that role until we found someone new to take over.
What’s the number one skill you bring to the board?
I think it’s that I’m open to listening to others’ point of views and re-evaluating my own opinion if necessary. I realised a long time ago that certainly I don’t know everything and am constantly learning. Someone else may have a better answer or notice something I have missed.
“I went to a convent school where we had to make a dress in one of the lessons. I got so fed up with the sewing that I glued the dress together.”
Julia Chapman, senior independent director of GCP Infrastructure Investments
Who’s been the biggest influence on your career?
Not any one person, but a mix of those people I’ve met and worked with who have demonstrated it is possible to lead and be strategic and get the best out of people without being aggressive or overbearing. I think that’s incredibly important.
What is the proudest moment of your career?
Up to this point, I guess being a versatile lawyer first in private practice, then in a fund administration business as in-house council, and then for a US bank, has made me able to adapt both my priorities and my style.
What’s the most challenging part of your job as a trust director?
At the moment, dealing with the share price discount to NAV. The market is playing with our discount – there is no structural issue – but it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The headwind of cost disclosure has not helped at all, so it was fantastic news to hear that the government and FCA are finally doing something about it.
Away from work
What’s your number one desert island disc?
If it’s a single, it would have to be Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands, by Bob Dylan. It’s beautiful and melodic – Bob Dylan at his finest both lyrically and musically.
If it’s an album, I’d pick Animals by Pink Floyd. It brings back heaps of memories every time I listen to it and there is so much going on musically. I love the lyrics and could listen to it over and over again.
Of all the places you have visited on your travels, which comes top of the list and why?
Iceland. There is just something about the geography that is so raw and elemental. You can almost feel the earth coming into being – the gaps in the crust and lava, continents moving. It’s an interesting and energetic place to visit.
If you had to cook for a dinner party, what would you make?
I’d cook spag bol. It’s easy and quick and very adaptable – you can easily make it into a veggie or vegan version if you need to. And everyone likes it. We’d have to finish off with something chocolatey and preferably with nuts – something I’ve bought rather than made!
What are you terrible at?
Needlework. I went to a convent school where we had to make a dress in one of the lessons. I got so fed up with the sewing that I glued the dress together. One of the nuns burst into tears when she saw this – I felt so bad.
What is a hidden talent that few people know you have?
I was the Jersey under 11, 100-yard sprint champion. Yes, one hundred yards not one hundred metres – it was a long time ago!
What do you do for fun?
Gardening and reading mainly. Thanks to my son, I also go along to quite niche progressive music concerts to hear bands most people have never heard of. It’s great fun and I really enjoy the live music, whether it’s classical, folk or metal.
Julia is a solicitor qualified in England, Wales and Jersey. Julia serves on the boards of two other Main Market listed companies, Henderson Far East Income Limited and BH Macro Limited, and of The International Stock Exchange.
