The role of Chair is unique in the boardroom; as a non-executive you are expected to contribute independently to discussions and decisions, but as the Chair you are responsible for deciding what will be discussed, crafting the scaffolding of those discussions and ensuring good decisions are reached.  By developing your understanding of the complexities of the role, both practical and interpersonal, you will gain confidence that your approach is effective and reflects current best-practice. 

Our ‘Becoming an Effective Chair’ programme supports you to do just this. Aimed at both current and aspiring Chairs, the two-session programme combines leading board effectiveness research with practical experience.  Led by experienced Chairs, you and a small cohort of your peers will consider lessons from recent research on the Chair’s role in board effectiveness and discuss their practical application, contextualised with personal experiences.  Each session will culminate with a 30-minute Q&A with a guest Chair, who will share their experience and insights and answer your questions.

This programme will equip you to step up confidently as a board Chair, whether in your first role or to a more complex board and will enhance your effectiveness in the role. It will also expand your personal network of non-executives and Chairs, connections which will continue to serve you throughout your board career.

Who should attend this workshop?

“This is an excellent programme that I would highly recommend to new or existing Chairs. The content is perfectly targeted, the speakers are great and the opportunity to learn from them and from peers was really valuable. I was able to apply what I had learnt in a new setting very soon after as a Chair, establishing a new body and its governance, culture and ways of working. I still apply that learning today.”
Trisha McAuley, Becoming an Effective Chair participant

“This programme helped me approach the role with more confidence. It covered the opportunities & challenges of the role & provided a good insight into how to succeed.”
Fiona Fry, Becoming an Effective Chair participant

The programme is limited to 12 participants and is suited to:

• Non-executives who are considering taking on a Chair position in the future and want to build a deeper understanding of the role;
• Chairs targeting more complex positions, perhaps in a different sector or of a larger organisation;
• Chairs seeking to develop their skills and effectiveness and understand the latest thinking around effective governance;

All participants must have sufficient board experience to realistically consider a Chair position now or in future or currently be in a board or committee Chair role. The programme is relevant to all types of boards and sectors. 

Do get in touch if you are unsure of your suitability for this programme: contact@wbdirectors.co.uk / 020 3925 4080

Programme schedule:

Session 1 – Thursday 3rd October 2024, 10am-12.30pm

Session 2 – Friday 4th October 2024, 10am-12.30pm

Our guest Chairs for this programme are:

Jenny Watson currently chairs GAMSTOP and Broadland Housing Group and is a board member at the Reclaim Fund Ltd, the Norfolk Community Foundation, the Mossbourne Charitable Trust and the Enforcement Conduct Board. She is a former Chair of both the Electoral Commission and the Equal Opportunities Commission and has board experience from the public, private and not for profit sectors.

Bernadette Conroy is an experienced Chair and Non-Executive Director (NED) operating across a number of sectors. These include financial services, where she is a NED for the Financial Conduct Authority and housing, where she is Chair of of the Regulator of Social Housing. She is also an Independent Chair at the Cambridge University with responsibility for the development and maintenance of the University’s estate and its capital build programme. She has previously held roles as the Chair of Network Homes, a NED for Community Health Partnerships and several NED positions in the NHS.  Prior to taking on a non-executive portfolio, Bernadette held a number of executive roles in financial services, latterly as Global Head of Strategy and Planning for HSBC Corporate, Investment Banking and Markets. She has an MA in Mathematics from Cambridge University and an MBA from INSEAD. In 2020, Bernadette received the Sunday Times Not for Profit Non-Executive Director of the Year award.

Programme Leads: