In times of economic uncertainty, diversity often ceases to be a corporate priority. And yet in 2017, despite unprecedented political and societal volatility, diversity remains high on the corporate agenda. It is no longer a bonus, but an imperative. As populism challenges business’s licence to operate, diversity emerges as an important part of the solution. As a Board Development and Search firm, Fidelio champions the business case for diversity. We are therefore delighted to host the fourth iteration of Fidelio’s “A Seat at the Table” for senior female executives and Directors, to be held on 6th-7th September at Leeds Castle, Kent.
Across Europe and the US we are seeing numerous initiatives promoting greater inclusion, as well as ensuring meaningful diversity of the leadership team. In countries including Germany, France, Italy and Norway, legally binding quotas have been introduced to ensure greater female representation within the corporate Board room. In the UK the Hampton-Alexander Review has established voluntary quotas for gender diversity, while the Parker Review focuses on ethnic diversity.
Moreover, there are multiple non-government initiatives, including FidAR in Germany, the 30% Club in the UK and Women Corporate Directors in the US. There are also myriad sector initiatives to drive greater diversity across the US and Europe. These include International Women in Mining, Women in Banking and Finance, Women in Automotive.
This drive for diversity has two root causes:
- One is social justice and leading investor Dr Hans-Christoph Hirt, Executive Director, Hermes EOS, at a recent Fidelio seminar on corporate diversity, emphasised the importance for major pension funds and socially responsible investors of properly reflecting society in the Board room. Ann Franke, CEO of the Chartered Management Institute, positioned the recently introduced gender pay gap reporting regime in the UK in the same light.
- The second is the business case. At Fidelio’s seminar on Board diversity in UK and German corporates a number of our speakers including Sir Philip Hampton, Chair, Hampton-Alexander Review and GlaxoSmithKline and John Allan, Chairman, Tesco, also emphasised the business case for greater Board and senior executive diversity.
Both McKinsey and Credit Suisse document the outperformance of companies with diverse leadership teams. This is attributed to improved decision making through drawing upon diverse perspectives. Professor Amy Edmondson, Senior Associate Dean, Harvard Business School, demonstrates powerfully the value of diverse perspective, including access to asymmetric information, as she models the ascent of Everest.
Decision making also benefits from more effective antennae. Fidelio has written previously on how Boards were wrong-footed by the Brexit Referendum and the Trump election which can be at least partially attributed to lack of diverse perspectives around the Board room table.
Put simply, Board rooms that include Directors from different backgrounds are less subject to group think and more alert to major societal and political shifts that can represent a major risk to business.
Fidelio’s “A Seat at the Table” Programme is predicated on Board effectiveness. It addresses stakeholder and shareholder expectations of the Board and leadership team, including in times of crisis. It explores presence and authority in the Board room and beyond, as well as the resilience that is increasingly required of Board Directors and those at the top table. And finally the programme takes an honest, dispassionate look at the networks that are critical in succeeding to and at the top table.
“A Seat at the Table” enables participants to successfully navigate their chosen route to the Board by providing:
- Frameworks of leadership,
- A mirror for reflection,
- A road map of critical next steps.
It is thereby a powerful contributor to Board room diversity.
“A Seat at the Table” is a two day residential Programme which attracts senior women from leading organisations globally. It is highly immersive and deeply practical, drawing upon the experience of highly regarded Chairmen and Directors, as well as leading practitioners whose expertise is of immediate relevance around the Board room table. The ongoing relationship with alumni, as well as membership of Fidelio’s global Board network, is deeply valued. Participants in “A Seat at the Table” can point to ongoing and impressive career success.
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Fidelio is currently finalising participation for the fourth “A Seat at the Table” Programme to be held on 6th and 7th September at Leeds Castle Kent. We will shortly announce dates for 2018. The participation fee is £7,500 plus VAT. For further information about the “A Seat at the Table” Programme, or any other aspect of Fidelio’s Search, Development or Evaluation capability, please contact Emily Baker.
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 is underway 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.
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.