London, 10th June 2016 – Fidelio’s “A Seat at the Table” programme for Senior Female Executives focuses on succeeding to the top table and at the top table. It deals with effectiveness in the Boardroom and at the Executive Committee; it challenges artificial distinctions and Board mystification. “A Seat at the Table” next takes place on 13th – 14th September at Leeds Castle. This update sets out why the Programme is distinct and why it is effective in building the pipeline of tomorrow’s female CEOs and Chairmen.
1) Define the Top Table – Board or Executive Committee? “A Seat at the Table” explicitly promotes effectiveness at Board and Executive Committee level. Yes, the Board is the legal entity with statutory and fiduciary responsibility but most companies have governance structures that extend into the organisation with collective responsibility and committee structures. The skills that make a successful Board Director are absolutely relevant for Executive Committee members. “A Seat at the Table” is the opportunity to rehearse skills critical to Boardroom and Executive Committee success including:
-
-
- A firm grasp of governance, including formal and informal power structures
- Presence and authority
- The art of influence
2) Executive vs Non-Executive – the career choice? “A Seat at the Table” addresses a very specific career phase. Participants are women in senior executive roles operating at Board / Executive Committee level with significant exposure to the Group Board. External Board roles are on their radar screens. As such the Programme is also relevant for Non-Executives who are building out a Corporate Board portfolio. This is a career phase with significant complexity and many decisions. It is not linear and requires masterful time management. This phase is the foundation for a successful career as a Corporate Director and as such critical to get right.
3) How to demystify the Board? The UK Companies Act 2006 does not distinguish between an Executive or Non-Executive Director. A Director is a Director and therefore tasked with the seven Directors’ duties. “A Seat at the Table” brings this duty of care to our thinking on Board roles and expects similar commitment for the Executive Committee. Movement from Non-Executive roles to Executive is not uncommon. Depleting the ranks of Senior Female Executives to meet Non-Executive targets is to be discouraged. Given this overlap and two-way traffic, there can be too much mystification of the Board. “A Seat at the Table” contributes to the pipeline of highly effective female Directors and eases their pathway to the Boardroom table.
-
For further details about Fidelio’s “A Seat at the Table” Programme on 13th – 14th September 2016 or in March 2017, please contact Luke Main or call +44 (0) 207 759 2200.
Notes to Editors:
The Programme – “A Seat at the Table” is a unique two day programme around the Board table providing insight into the complexity of Board responsibility, as well as the route to the Boardroom. The goal is to develop tomorrow’s female CEOs and Chairmen. Participants are Senior Female Executives and Directors with extensive leadership experience along with the ambition and potential to become highly effective Board Directors. To date we have welcomed women from leading FTSE 100 and international companies – from the US, the UK and continental Europe.
Participants in “A Seat at the Table” 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.
“A Seat at the Table” – the feedback:
- “very rich in content, a great blend of technical aspects, softer skills and confidence building … An excellent Board readiness programme” – CEO, Major Subsidiary, Global Financial Services Company
- “practically narrowed the gap between my current position and the Board […] demystifying being on the Board” – Head of Leadership and Learning, Multinational Industrial Company
- “the best concentrated injection of development and learning that I have ever had … It hits the mark perfectly” – FTSE 100 Group HR Executive
Enrolment continues for a limited number of places for the Tuesday 13th – Wednesday 14th September 2016 “A Seat at the Table” Programme; enrolment will start shortly for the 2017 “A Seat at the Table” Programme to be held on Tuesday 14th – Wednesday 15th March 2017.
The delegate enrolment fee is £7,500 plus VAT for this two day residential programme.
About Fidelio
Fidelio Partners is an international Board Development and Executive Search consultancy. We have a deep understanding of what shareholders and stakeholders require from the Board and Executive team and through Search and Development we build leadership teams that are well placed to:
- Sustain corporate reputation and maintain the licence to operate
- Secure on-going access to capital
- And thereby increase the value of the business
Diversity is hardwired into every aspect of Fidelio’s approach to building and developing leadership teams. Fidelio is recognised for its fresh thinking and providing practical solutions for Chairmen and CEOs in meeting this vital challenge.
Our highly qualified, in-house research capability is based in London and delivers Search and Development internationally.
Fidelio is committed to building diverse and highly effective Boards and Executive teams. For further information please visit our website Fidelio Partners Board Development and Executive Search or contactinfo@fideliopartners.com.