Getting the insights of a broad mix of staff into board level discussion can bring great benefits – not least in diversity of thought.
Shadow boards are an increasingly popular way for companies to achieve this, whilst also providing an opportunity for their future leaders to level-up their strategic skills.
Hear from two organisations about why they chose to create a shadow board; what has made them work well; and what challenges they found along the way.
What’s a shadow board? Find out here.
Speakers
Kate Bright
Kate is currently CEO of UMBRA International Group, a Chartered Security Professional and has worked in and with the Private Security Industry for 20+ years.
She is trained in Close Protection and worked as a Chief of Staff to international wealthy families in London from 2000 to 2015. She was shortlisted as Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year in the Citywealth awards in 2019, and was asked to give a Tedx talk in 2018 on the topic of ‘Invisible Security’.
Kate is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Companion of the Institute of Leadership & Management and sits on the British Army Gender Advisory Council. She is a Liveryman of the City of London and is passionate about making security accessible as an industry to work in, as well as encouraging diversity in the Boardroom. She is a Trustee of both the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals Charitable Trust & the Hypatia Foundation.
Anne Filkins
Anne started her career with NatWest on their grad training scheme, never having been a grad.
She then moved to C Hoare and Co where she spent thirty seven years building trusted, personal banking relationships with generations of clients ranging from authors and actors, entrepreneurs and landed estates, to solicitors and silversmiths.
From the oldest Private bank in the UK to the newest Anne then joined Hampden & Co in 2019, where she looked after personal HNW & UHNW clients building her book from scratch.
In 2022, Anne decided to take a short career break, while moving from Kent to Suffolk. She is now starting on the next chapter of her career and is Chair of the Shadow Board at UMBRA International Group.
Melanie Onn
Melanie is Deputy Chief Executive at RenewableUK and the principal senior spokesperson. She takes on RenewableUK’s responsibilities within the Offshore Wind Sector Deal, including skills and diversity. She also leads on Just Transition and supporting their supply chain across different regions.
Additionally Melanie is currently a Trustee of St John, St Stephen & Shalom, a youth centre in the heart of Grimsby’s East Marsh that operates services for young people to keep them safe, entertained and out of trouble.
Kerry Hayes
Kerry is currently the Shadow Board Chair at RenewableUK, where she works with a group of inspiring and innovative people at the forefront of the sector, to take a role in brining different perspectives, insight and analysis to support the essential work RenewableUK does in being a voice for the sector. Kerry is also a Projects Development Manager at Simply Blue Group, focusing on the early stage development of multiple large scale floating offshore wind projects. Kerry is passionate about increasing female representation in the renewable energy sector. She is a regular conference speaker, mentor for students and professionals and holds guest lecturing posts at UK universities.
This event is included in our Directors’ Circle membership. Current Directors’ Circle members have received a calendar invitation already – if you haven’t, please get in touch with Julia via contact@womenonboards.co.uk