🏆 TEA Cup Honours: Dame Anita Frew - Governance with Purpose, Presence, and People-First Power

From boardroom EQ to STEM-fuelled Gen Z buzz, Rolls-Royce’s Chair is rewriting the rulebook—with calm power and actual presence.

This week, we’re raising our TEA Cups (and probably a flat white) to Dame Anita Frew, Chair of Rolls-Royce—a leader who proves that governance doesn’t have to be dry or distant. Think: calm, composed, quietly iconic.

I first spoke with Anita in 2021 for the NED Awards, pre-damehood, mid-lockdown, video call—and yet her presence? Crystal clear. It felt less like an interview and more like a boardroom TED Talk. She laid down the blueprint for modern boards: cut the clutter, focus the oversight, and swap performative noise for actual reflection.

And she did it all with that rare, under-hyped skill: emotional intelligence. Quiet voice. Major impact. The kind of leadership that doesn’t demand attention—it earns it.

Flash forward to the 2025 Rolls-Royce AGM. Same vibe, same grace. What stood out? An open invitation:

‘Come in person to our AGMs. Meet our apprentices. Meet the board.’

Not just words. With 1,200 apprentices currently in the business (up from 400 last year), that’s more than a pipeline—it’s a statement of intent. That’s intergenerational stewardship in action.

When I asked Anita why Gen Z investors seem drawn to Rolls-Royce (Trading 212 = 205k followers vs BAE’s 6.4k 👀), she didn’t miss a beat: ‘STEM energy. Mission-driven work. Young people want meaning.’ Period.

And she’s right. As a Gen Xer, we used to hide our inner nerd. Now? Nerd is the new flex. And Rolls-Royce is helping lead that cultural shift.

💬 Even the Trading 212 threads hit different—less meme-stock chaos, more thoughtful curiosity. That’s a signal: younger retail investors are engaged, informed, and yes—watching. And Rolls-Royce is showing up.

Massive props as well to Claire-Marie O’Grady, Chief Governance Officer, who ran the AGM like a masterclass in inclusive, intentional shareholder engagement. Questions? Thoughtfully handled. Tone? Welcoming. Vibe? Not your typical tick-the-box meeting.

So here’s to Dame Anita:
For leading with empathy and excellence.
For proving that strategy + sincerity > spin.
For being the kind of Chair who doesn’t just pass the baton—but lights it up as she goes.

An icon. A TEA Cup Honouree. A real one.