Public company Boards are under intense scrutiny and pressure. Shareholders, politicians, public opinion and the media are all calling for greater accountability, and Directors face an unprecedented rate of change and complexity. This creates extraordinary demands. Public companies matter, as does the calibre and resolve of their Directors. Fidelio therefore tackles this theme head-on in our next iteration of “A Seat at the Table” for senior female executives and Directors, to be held on 6th-7th September at Leeds Castle, Kent. We are thereby making an important contribution to the resilient, high calibre Boards of tomorrow.
London,12th May 2017
Public company Board Directors face enormous pressure:
- In the UK, for example, Corporate Governance is high on the agenda with the recent publication of the Government’s Corporate Governance Reform Green Paper; BEIS Select Committee Report on Corporate Governance; and a slew of AGMs dominated by executive pay, as discussed at a recent Fidelio breakfast with Professor Bob Garratt.
- Board Directors have to navigate this heated Corporate Governance debate, while also facing profound macroeconomic and geopolitical disruption, including the rise of populism. Additionally all Boards face radical technological change, as well as opportunity.
- Moreover, volatility and change has given rise to a steep increase in shareholder activism, with Boards across Europe squarely “in the cross-hairs” of activists. Frequently Board composition is a key battle arena, and very much in the public domain.
This perfect storm of disruption, complexity and media attention means that public company Directors will increasingly require the following attributes if they and their companies are to flourish:
1. A high degree of resilience
2. A strong and demonstrable commitment to the long-term health of the company
3. A firm, and possibly professional, grasp of effective shareholder and stakeholder engagement
The female business leaders attending September’s “A Seat at the Table” programme are familiar with the public company Boardroom; some are sitting on public company Boards; others have realistic aspirations to do so. A core strand of the September programme will therefore be the critical attributes for Board Directors outlined above. Participants will be challenged to develop and demonstrate these skills in immersive sessions with recognised authorities in their fields:
- Resilience in the Boardroom and beyond will be explored with Chris Heimann, Head of Improvisation, RADA, as participants develop their presence and authority. While David Pearl, former Deputy Company Secretary, BP, tests resilience through an immersive case study of crisis and the Boardroom.
- Board-level Commitment to the long-term health of the company is developed with Ann Francke, CEO, Chartered Management Institute, tackling tough corporate issues surrounding the gender pay gap and employee representation, with a focus on Board narrative supporting the sustainability and viability of the business.
- In turn Professor Bob Garratt, Visiting Professor, Cass Business School, enables Board Directors to develop a sense of “true North”, with a return to the seven Director’s Duties. Participants will explore how Boards achieve clear corporate purpose linked to long-term values, enabling them to navigate stakeholder and shareholder expectations.
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For more information on this intensive two day Programme which brings a select group of senior female executives and Directors from a range of sectors and geographies together around a Boardroom table along with Chairmen, experienced Directors, as well as leading investors and experts in their fields, please contact Emily Baker.
Limited places for the September 2017 “A Seat at the Table” Programme are available; the final date for registration is 31st May 2017. We will shortly be announcing dates for 2018.
Notes to Editors:
The Programme – “A Seat at the Table“ is a unique two day programme around the Board table providing insight into complexity and Board effectiveness, as well as the route to the Boardroom. The goal is to increase female representation at the Top Table and develop tomorrow’s female CEOs and Chairs. 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 – including from the US, continental Europe and Africa.
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 has begun for “A Seat at the Table“ , Wednesday 6th – Thursday 7th September 2017.
The delegate enrolment fee is £7,500 plus VAT for this two day residential programme at Leeds Castle, Kent, UK. Places are limited and final registration is 31st May 2017.
About Fidelio
As a Board Development and Executive Search consultancy, Fidelio has a clear focus on building Boards and leadership teams fit for the future. We do this through Search, Development and Evaluation, underpinned by a deep understanding of what shareholders and stakeholders expect from the leadership team. Diversity is hardwired into every aspect of Fidelio’s offering. Based in London we work internationally; 50% of our Search, Development and Evaluation work is outside the UK.
For further information on how we can support your company through Search, Development or Evaluation, or of Fidelio’s ‘A Seat at the Table’ programme for senior female executives and directors please contact Emily Baker, or alternatively call + 44 (0) 20 7759 2200