Experience Bank Group offers a range of services, one of them focused on continual professional development for leaders and future leaders in the region.
Here, founder Peter Neal talks about the knowledge Non-Executive Directors, Trustees, Consultants working at board level or Board Advisors need to have, and how they can improve those skills.
“Sitting in a boardroom of another organisation as a non-executive is a place that many executives in the region are now finding themselves because of the North East ‘Board Boom’. The region’s SMEs and charities are calling out for fresh board support, from people with new visions, diverse approaches and experience in traditional and newer industries such as digital.
“Most executives have great knowledge and experience in running businesses in a whole range of industries, but when operating at board level it can firstly be a lonely place and secondly, the skills and knowledge needed constantly shift, many times with decision making coming down to intuition and planning. Both skills that need to be nurtured and feed for you to be good at it.
“When sat on a board you are essentially sat outside the business you are looking out for and have to bring a detached perspective along with insight that is objective. This distance allows a unique and independent standpoint when looking at corporate governance, strategy, risk management, succession and conflict. Especially when acting on the best interests of all stakeholders, which should always be the ultimate goal.
“It is important that a board carries out full due diligence and independent judgement on decision making, acts within their powers and is fully transparent. The statutory duties are laid out in the Companies Act 2006 and a set of liabilities are attached to the role too, which it is important that individuals understand before they commit.
“It is also essential for everyone operating at board level to understand and respect the correct structure of a board, what is operational and what is strategic, where mentoring internally is acceptable, what classes as inspirational leading of leaders and where it is appropriate to use their experience and insight to influence strategic planning.
“But as an existing board member, where can you keep on top of these skills, practice and wargame scenarios, inspect other board’s performance to learn from and meet with people in similar scenarios that can give you independent support, ideas and a safe space to vent? So many people approach me asking for this very same thing.
“Which is why the Experience Bank Group launched a NED Peer Group Programme a number of years ago. It continues to go from strength to strength as a community of existing and aspiring non-executives and board advisors, ready to be the best they can for their boards and each other.
“Meeting once a month, the content of each session is a combination of professional guidance and a deep dive into real-time challenges and issues that help everyone gain valued perspectives from a trusted source. Facilitated by Andrew Marsh, who brings years of experience in both NED, trustee, leader and facilitation roles, the community is built from peers from a wide range of industries and disciplines.
“We are currently recruiting for new cohorts so you can sign up for a free taster session and if you join, you will go through a seamless induction, including alignment with a buddy who will support your entry into the group.
“It really is a win-win situation, and our testimonials from existing cohort members speak volumes.”
Experience Bank Group incorporates The Experience Bank philanthropic, social enterprise company along with a commercial venture providing three symbiotic services – EB Board Level Recruitment, EB High Performing Boards and EB Continuous Personal Development.
With this combination of specialist expertise, the Experience Bank Group is uniquely positioned to help organisations ensure they have not only the right skills in the leadership team and boardroom but also optimum board performance with higher value creation.
5% of all revenue from Experience Bank Group is gifted to The Experience Bank social enterprise to enable more start-ups, early-stage businesses, charities and social enterprises access to high quality, advisory and non-executive talent.