Public scandal is rife regarding the abuse of power by those in authority. On an international basis, the importance of an effective Board has never been greater. This includes gender balance.
Indeed as Fidelio supports Chairs and CEOs globally, we see increasing recognition that diversity is critical to composition of the Board and leadership team. This is also reflected in the strong international interest in Fidelio’s “A Seat at the Table” for senior female executives and directors. To date 50% of participants in the Programme have been international, typically from leading global companies, frequently recommended by a Chair keen to develop talented women within the organisation.
The fifth iteration of the “A Seat at the Table” Programme in March 2018 will maintain this invaluable level of international diversity.
International Diversity Imperative – From DAX 30 to Fortune 500
As society becomes more fractious, business has a critical role to play in diversity and inclusion including at the Board table. Fidelio supports clients to this end in the UK and beyond:
- In the UK we look forward to the Hampton-Alexander Review’s annual update on 9th November. We have been pleased to track our own distinctive contribution to enhancing Board and Executive Diversity through Search, Evaluation and Fidelio’s ground-breaking “A Seat at the Table” Programme.
- Germany has adopted a different approach to increasing gender diversity. Follow Fidelio’s joint seminar earlier this year ““Die Frauenquote” – A Year on. An Update on Diversity in UK and German Corporates” the dial is moving in the DAX 30 at Supervisory Board level, with the Management Board presenting more of a structural challenge. We welcomed to our September 2017 “A Seat at the Table” Programme female executives with senior international roles within DAX 30 companies, and look forward to continuing this trend in 2018.
- Diversity in the US has been very much in the public eye of late, not least in Silicon Valley with gender-related crises at both Uber and Google for example. “Boards and technology” has become a strand running through “A Seat at the Table” and in September 2017 we explored the challenges of ‘bro culture’ with women who brought first-hand experience. The technology challenge and opportunity is firmly on our Board Agenda for the March 2018 Programme, extending to digital presence and the online profile.
Women in the Driving Seat of Their – International – Board Careers
Once again in March 2018 the “A Seat at the Table” Programme will focus on four critical takeaways to put women in the driving seat of their own international Board careers:
1. Direct learning from senior, experienced and respected Chairs, and what they expect from their Boards
2. How Boards effectively interact with their stakeholders and shareholders
3. Boards in action: effectiveness at the Boardroom table and handling crises
4. Your profile and how to achieve your Board ambition
Everything I took from the programme is actionable in my current role and beyond
CEO, Major Online Banking Subsidiary, Leading Global Bank
With the recent rise in anti-globalisation, it is imperative for business to remain open and international. Diversity will support this. Fidelio is accustomed to operating cross-border, cross-sector, cross-function and we are delighted to support Chairs across the globe in ensuring that diversity flourishes.
If you are interested in increasing the diversity of your Board and/or developing talented women within your organisation including through Fidelio’s “A Seat at the Table” Programme, please contact Emily Baker for further details.
The fifth iteration of the Programme will be held at Leeds Castle, Kent on 13th– 14th March 2018.