A Seat at the Table – Programme for Senior Female Executives and Directors, 4 – 5 September 2018
“The ‘A Seat at the Table’ programme has accelerated my transition towards a portfolio career – the networking and governance aspects were outstanding; and importantly the programme has given me a valuable longer-term supportive relationship with Fidelio”
Non-Executive Director, major government and public sector bodies; CEO, leading impact charity
“I continue to refer to the ‘A Seat at the Table’ material when preparing to take up new Board positions – it serves as a practical and powerful framework”
Senior Independent Director, FTSE 250
The “A Seat at the Table” Programme: Tuesday 4th – Wednesday 5th September 2018
Originally established in response to the clarion call from the UK Davies Report to ensure that more women succeed to the top table, Fidelio’s “A Seat at the Table” Programme continues to fulfil its original purpose and retains a strong public company focus. Above and beyond this, the Programme also enables talented women to be firmly in the driving seat of their own Boardroom careers.
To date “A Seat at the Table” has attracted female Directors and Senior Executives from the US, the UK, continental Europe and Africa. Leading global corporates have been represented across a range of sectors and geographies. This fast-learning and immersive Programme is designed to enable talented women to assume direction and purpose in their Boardroom career, including balancing a major Executive role with external Board seats. Over 50% of past participants have strengthened their Board portfolio and/or moved to more senior Executive roles within 24 months of attending, the majority within 12 months.
As a Board Development and Executive Search consultancy, Fidelio has a clear perspective on who succeeds to the Top Table and at the Top Table. We bring these insights to the“A Seat at the Table” Programme, as well as a clear goal to develop tomorrow’s female CEOs and Chairmen. In September 2018 the Programme will once again focus on putting senior women firmly in the driving seat of their own Board careers. The two-day, immersive Programme held around the Boardroom table is predicated upon five attributes of leadership which are critical to charting a successful Boardroom career:
1. Understanding the complexity of shareholder and stakeholder expectations for the leadership team
2. A firm grasp of governance, including formal and informal power structures
3. Presence and authority; personal impact; the ability to influence
4. Reinforcing networks; networks of support and networks of reciprocity
5. Resilience under extreme pressure
Effectiveness at the Board/Executive Committee table is the focal point of this highly practical two day programme and participants leave with practical tools to help them succeed, including:
- a framework for understanding leadership structures and styles;
- a mirror for personal presence including within a group dynamic; and
- a road map of critical networks and milestones, in order to achieve their professional and personal objectives.
We were delighted to be joined by the following speakers at the March 2018 Programme:
- Sarah Bates, Chair, St James’s Place plc – one of only six female FTSE100 Chairs, Sarah will draw on her Board-level experience and a 35 year career in investment and investment management to provide Chair and investor insight into effectiveness at the Boardroom table.
- David Tyler, Chairman, J Sainsbury plc; Hammerson plc and Domestic and General plc – a highly experienced FTSE100 Chairman, David shed light on what makes an effective Board across a range of sectors.
- Susan Hooper, Non-Executive Director, Department for Exiting the EU; Wizz Air plc; the Rank Group plc; Affinity Water – an experienced plural Non-Executive Director with extensive international and commercial expertise across corporate and governmental organisations, Susan led the discussion on building a diverse Non-Executive portfolio and adding value across a range of sectors.
- Denise Wilson, CEO, Hampton-Alexander Review – Denise provided an update on diversity and a call to action for the future; empowering women to define their Board careers.
- Julie Etchingham, News Presenter and Journalist, ITV – a prominent and well-regarded journalist and reporter who has interviewed some of the most powerful women in the world, Julie focused on the theme of putting one’s head above the parapet – as scrutiny of public Boards continues.
- Chris Heimann, Head of Improvisation, Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) – drawing on extensive, and award-winning, artistic experience as a performer, director and coach, Chris explored presence and authority at the Boardroom table and beyond.
- Professor Bob Garratt, Visiting Professor, Cass Business School & Senior Fidelio Consultant – drawing on decades of experience sitting on Boards and advising public and private companies internationally, Bob tackled global corporate governance; power dynamics at the Boardroom table; and the interplay between regulators, governments, shareholders and Boards.
In addition to the rich experience of the Fidelio team and external speakers, participants benefit from the opportunity to develop a network with this group of ca. 10 senior female executives from a range of sectors and geographies, all of whom are in leadership roles within their respective organisations. The delegate enrolment fee is £7,500 plus VAT for this two day residential Programme at Leeds Castle, Kent, UK.
Fidelio’s purpose as a Search firm is to build Boards and leadership teams fit for the future, a key component of which is diversity. Our goal is to enable senior female executives and directors to succeed to the top table and at the top table.
If you are interested in participating in, or finding out more information about, “A Seat at the Table”, please contact Emily Baker at ebaker@fideliopartners.com or +44 (0) 20 7759 2200.