The Association of Investment Companies (AIC) has appointed Sapna Shah as its chair with immediate effect, following its annual general meeting last Thursday (29 January).
Shah, who joined the AIC’s board in 2021, has been deputy chair for two years and is a member of the Remuneration Committee. She is a senior adviser at Panmure Liberum and has previously held roles at Cenkos Securities, Stifel and UBS.
She is a non-executive director of Pantheon Infrastructure, BlackRock Greater Europe and BioPharma Credit.
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Gordon Humphries has stepped down as AIC chair, having held the role since 2024. He was appointed deputy chair in January 2023 and joined the board in 2022. He is a director of JPMorgan UK Small Cap Growth and Income Trust and has worked in the investment company sector since 2006, although he has more than 35 years of experience in financial services.
Elsewhere, Alison Jefferis was elected as non-executive director, while Stephanie Coxon and Cathy Pitt were re-elected. Gay Collins and Francesca Ecsery have retired from the board.
AIC chair Shah said: “It’s an honour to have been appointed chair of the AIC, having been an investment banker for over 20 years and more recently a non-executive director of investment companies.
“I look forward to working with the AIC board to continue raising the profile of investment companies and being a strong voice for the sector.”
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She added: “I would like to congratulate and warmly welcome Alison Jefferis on her appointment. Alison brings extensive marketing and investment communications experience to the board. This will be invaluable to the AIC’s membership and I very much look forward to working with her.
“As Gordon Humphries steps down as chair of the AIC, I would like to thank him for the invaluable enthusiasm and vigour he has brought to the role. I look forward to continuing to work with him on the board.”
Shah also extended her appreciation to Ecsery and Collins for their “significant contribution to the AIC and long-standing dedication to the investment trust industry”.
