Technology investor Cathie Wood has volunteered her support for Tesla chairwoman Robyn Denholm, describing her as a “professional of unquestionable integrity” after her independence was challenged in a scathing US court decision.

The Delaware Court of Chancery found Ms Denholm, who is Australian, had a “lackadaisical approach” to governance at the electric vehicle and battery maker about the time it awarded executive Elon Musk the largest-ever compensation plan. Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick invalidated the $US55.8 billion ($86.1 billion) options plan after finding, in essence, that share grants that enriched board members had compromised their independence.