The Growth Engine - Series 2 Episode 5: Investment Trust Boards vs The Attention Economy | Gillian Elcock

In this episode, we are joined by Gillian Elcock, a board director and non-executive coach working across multiple listed investment companies. Gillian brings a sharp, practical perspective on how investment trusts are rethinking marketing, governance and investor engagement at a time when competition for attention has never been higher — from TikTok to Netflix and everything in between.Listen as we explore how investment trust boards are beginning to prioritise marketing expertise, and why the race to attract younger retail investors is becoming increasingly urgent. We discuss whether the sector should lean into platforms like YouTube and TikTok, why some boards are creating dedicated sales and marketing committees, and how AI could reshape the way investment trusts communicate with investors. We also look at the tension between short-term shareholder pressure and long-term strategy, and what it really takes for marketers to step into non-executive board roles — including why volunteering can be a powerful first step.