In today's fast-moving business and social impact landscape, the role of Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) and trustees has never been more complex or more critical.
Expectations are high: boards are tasked with providing strategic insight, robust governance, and independent oversight, all while navigating uncertain economic conditions, digital transformation, and growing demands around sustainability and stakeholder accountability.
Many people take on the role with the best intentions, a whole host of skills, experience and knowledge to share – but then feel out of their depth and struggle with the responsibility. For individuals holding these positions feeling like this, it can often be a lonely place – responsibility is heavy, outlets for confidential discussion and development are few.
This is precisely why the Experience Bank peer groups facilitated, managed and mentored by Andrew Marsh are such a valuable resource. The three groups provide NEDs and trustees with a safe, structured, and insightful environment in which to share challenges, explore solutions, and strengthen their contribution at board level.
Andrew said: “Serving as a NED or trustee can feel like stepping into the unknown. Issues such as cyber risk, ESG reporting, cultural change, or stakeholder engagement are constantly evolving. Organisations and companies with boards should look for NEDs and Trustees who invest in their own development in the role, as it shows they are keen to add value in the right way. Through open exchange, participants in this level of ‘training’ develop confidence in their judgement and resilience in the face of complexity. This strengthens their ability to ask the right questions, hold executives to account, and provide the independent oversight that organisations depend on.”
A Safe Space for Honest Conversations
One of the greatest challenges faced by NEDs and trustees is finding a peer-to-peer sounding board. Executive leaders can lean on colleagues and management teams, but non-executives are often isolated in their roles. They are expected to be both supportive and challenging, strategic yet detached, and the line is not always easy to walk.
Experience Bank Group’s peer sessions, create a safe and confidential space where these pressures can be explored openly. Here, NEDs and Trustees discuss the dilemmas they face without fear of judgement, reputational risk, or conflict of interest. That freedom fosters honesty, and only with honesty comes real learning.
Experienced Facilitation That Unlocks Value
Andrew Marsh brings deep experience, as someone who has worked extensively with boards and leadership teams across many sectors. His approach balances structure with flexibility: discussions are guided to remain purposeful, yet members are free to explore issues most pressing to them.
He said: “I always aim to ensure that the sessions don’t become abstract debates or mere networking opportunities. Instead, they’re dynamic, practical, focused on helping members translate insights into action. Participants leave with fresh perspectives and tangible tools to apply to their boardroom.”
Another strength of the Experience Bank Group lies in the member’s diversity. Trustees and NEDs come from different sectors-corporate, charitable, public, and private-bringing varied professional and personal experiences. This breadth of perspective enriches conversation. And as a collective we focus on how NEDs and Trustees can create economic, sustainable value.
A trustee in the charity sector might, for example, gain new approaches to digital fundraising from a NED in a technology company. A corporate NED might learn from the governance rigour typical of not-for-profits. These cross-pollinations spark creativity and innovation, helping members to avoid insular thinking. Sharing thoughts, knowledge, experience and fears is extremely bonding meaning the conversations often carry on between individuals outside of the set sessions.
Expanding Networks with Purpose
Networking is often transactional. These peer groups reframe it as relational. Because members meet regularly, trust develops and relationships deepen. The result is not just a larger contact list, but a network of peers who genuinely support and champion one another. Opportunities flow naturally-whether that’s introductions to future board roles, collaborations between organisations, or informal mentoring.
A Commitment to Continuous Growth
Ultimately, joining Experience Bank Group is about professional growth and impact. For NEDs and trustees who recognise their role isn’t static and the boardroom environment continues to evolve, these peer groups provide an ongoing commitment to learning. One member shared: “Members sharpen their skills, broaden their horizons, and enhance contribution. The benefit is twofold: I’ve grown personally, and my boards has become stronger, more effective, and better equipped for the future. It gave me confidence to take on my first Trustee role, knowing I had in-depth support in my role, strategy, governance, finance, risk appetite and decision making.”
Conclusion
Being a NED or trustee is a privilege and a profound responsibility. Those who take the role seriously understand that they must invest in their own development as much as they do in the organisations they serve. Antonia Brindle, who has been a cohort member for three years supporting her NED and Trustee activity, said: “These peer groups offer the rare combination of confidentiality, expertise, and peer support that makes development in my roles enjoyable. For any NED or Trustee seeking to strengthen their impact, this is not just an opportunity worth considering – it is one you shouldn’t miss out on.”
There is a limited amount of cohort spaces currently available so if this sounds like something you personally should be involved in, or that you want your NEDs/Trustees to be part of, contact Andrew on andrew@marshbusinesstransformations.co.uk