A leadership peer group for existing and aspiring NEDs, trustees, board advisors and consultants at board level has swelled in size so much through 2023 that the cohorts have started 2024 in two newly formed groups, with a third on the horizon in the coming months.
Experience Bank Group, formed by Peter Neal in 2015, offers a range of core services including continuous professional development peer groups, leadership level recruitment particularly in the charitable sector and philanthropic support for SME’s/ start-ups with purpose.
Peter said: “Having been running the peer group for existing and aspiring NEDs, trustees, board advisors and consultants at board level for three years now, the group has grown to a size where the cohorts will benefit from splitting into two, with quarterly events where they come back together.
“The objective of being in the peer group is to become a better advisor, make better decisions and achieve better results. To do that full rounded conversations are needed where everyone has a voice and the smaller groups will allow and encourage that. When brought back together, real sharing of experience can be done and the group will enjoy some quality speakers together.”
The diverse mix of the interactive and challenging groups supports personal development too, as well as learning and development. The sessions will always have some element of health checking personal life with professional commitments.
The monthly meets are currently hosted at Hay and Kilner Law firm in Newcastle and Mayborn Group at Balliol Business Park. Alison Reynolds, a freelance Strategic HR and organisational development consult, is also a NED and trustee. She joined the group to gain new skills in all of her roles and is now thriving:
“I find it easier to take opinion and advice in the peer group setting and also love that I can give my advice, which cements the belief that I am great at what I do. My voice, ideas and experience are valued by the other cohorts and my confidence has been boosted, especially when brought together with the new skills I have learnt.”
As well as providing you with the business tools and resources to improve your decision-making abilities, facilitator Andrew Marsh who supports each member of the group with his knowledge, insights and experience also processes real time challenges and issues in the monthly meetings in ways that mirror a board setting. Antonia Brindle, who is a board advisor and trustee, as well as a marketing consultant working at board level, has been a member for over two years now.
She said: “Connecting with other thought provoking and knowledgable individuals brings a solid base of support when needed. The peer group enter into challenging discussions, and the broader perspectives and strategies have helped me address something in one of my roles on a number of occasions. Being part of the group is worth its weight in gold and I am not surprised at its popularity!”
As the programme expands into multiples of groups, this does open up opportunity to join Experience Bank’s peer group programme, whereas previously there has been a waiting list.
It is anticipated that the list will grow quickly again throughout 2024, so if you are interested do get in touch with peter@theexperiencebank.co.uk
More information is available at theexperiencebank.co.uk