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 those who aspire to be a NonExecutive Director, Trustee, consultant working at board level or Board Advisor need to have.
“Becoming a board level operator is something that many leaders in the region aspire to be. And whilst most of these have great knowledge and experience in running businesses in a whole range of industries, the truth is that moving to operate at board level needs specific skills they may not have fine-tuned throughout their career to date.
“Moving from an executive desk to the board table is a definite shift, and to be strategic and focused rather than operational, can be a mind shift struggle.
“These roles are in practice basically sat outside the business and should bring a detached perspective along with insight that is objective. This distance allows them to have 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 to be expected 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, 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.
“It is at this point that executives can hesitate to progress their career journey, often thinking wouldn’t it be great if there was somewhere I could go to get a full understanding, learn the role and practice scenarios boards are often faced with. To build knowledge, to build confidence and to know how to find the next best roles that they are perfectly suited to.
“Well, there is! Our NED Peer Group Programme is a community of existing and aspiring leaders, 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 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 nonexecutive talent.