Non-executives need to work highly independently and rely on their own judgement – this is even more true for Chairs. By developing your understanding of the complexities of the role, both practical and interpersonal, you can gain assurance that your approach is truly effective.
Our ‘Becoming an effective Chair’ programme supports you to do just this, with a small group of your peers. Aimed at both current and aspiring Chairs, the three session programme combines leading board effectiveness research with practical experience. Both facilitators are experienced Chairs and two guest speakers, with long-time experience of chairing complex boards, will join the final session to share their insights.
This programme will equip you to step up to Chair, whether your first role or to a more complex board, and to enhance your effectiveness in the role – as well as expanding your network of experienced NEDs.
Led by two experienced Chairs, you and a small cohort of your peers (12 participants max.) will consider lessons from current research on the Chair’s role in board effectiveness and discuss their practical application, contextualised with personal experiences.The programme will examine the Chair’s role in ensuring the board fulfils its responsibilities and overseeing board processes as well as the personal style and qualities that help make an effective Chair.
By the end of the programme you will have enhanced your network with connections to a diverse peer group of non-executive directors and Chairs.
Who should attend this workshop?
“With such a shortage of female Chairs, this initiative is much welcomed and brings excellent practical experience/ advice to help more women be prepared and motivated to aim for Chair roles.”
JacquiFerguson, Portfolio Non Exec Director, Chair & Advisor, Sunday Times Dame Helen Alexander NED to Watch Winner 2018
“A unique offer for entry-level Chairs to consider their approach to the role – the insights from such highly experienced speakers will be of tremendous value.”
Monica Chadha, portfolio NED & Chair, Cranfield Woman to Watch list 2019
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 Chair positions, perhaps in a different sector or of a full board;
- Chairs seeking to develop their skills and effectiveness and understand the latest thinking around effective governance;
Given the highly interactive nature of the programme, we anticipate that participants will learn as much from each other as they do from the main speakers, as well as extending their network of peers.
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
Speakers
Rowena Ironside
Lisa Jones
Business Angel Investor, NED, Women on Boards Consultant, Ambassador and Presenter
Lisa’s business life has been spent in marketing communications agencies, working on business-to-business clients across Europe. Lisa is well known in the industry for being passionate and capable. She is skilled at challenging and inspiring others which is why she was also the Board Director responsible for implementing agency personal performance training alongside her client relationship responsibilities. In addition to supporting WOB UK Ltd, Lisa is an active business angel investor. Lisa is also trustee, and Chair, for the London based charity Regenerate which helps to transform deprived communities from the inside and a NED on a start up CIC called The Feel Good Bakery.
Chair Speakers for Session 3:
Vanda Murray:
Vanda has over 30 years’ experience at a senior level across a range of industry sectors in the UK and Overseas
Vanda now holds a portfolio of non-executive directorships. She is Chair of Yorkshire Water and Chair of Marshalls plc (FTSE 250).
She is also Senior Independent Director and Remuneration Chair for Bunzl plc (FTSE 40) and Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which owns Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands Airports, where she chairs the Remuneration and CSR committees
She was Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the Board of Governors at Manchester Metropolitan University for nine years until July 2020 and this year was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA).
In 2002, Vanda was appointed OBE for Services to Industry and to Export.
In 2018 she was the Sunday Times Non-Executive Director of the Year in the large company category, nominated by MAG for her work chairing the CSR committee.
Rachel Beagles:
Rachel has over 15 years experience as a non-executive director in the listed, private, public and charity sectors. She has a background in financial services and was a Managing Director at Deutsche Bank where she specialised in equity markets and research. Since then, Rachel has enjoyed a variety of roles as a non-executive director in the asset management, investment company, social housing, charity and fin tech sectors. Her chairing experience includes audit, nomination and investment committees as well as the board of a listed investment trust, an industry trade body and the private sector development arm of a social housing provider.