I believe that a correctly functioning Board is absolutely key to a successful organisation that will endure. I therefore position myself to help Boards be more effective. The lack of an effective Board is more sharply seen in fast growing companies run by entrepreneurs as well in start ups where Boards are usually populated by functional specialists and representatives of Investors. Boards of Organisations that have grown by acquisition also sometimes struggle with effectiveness.

On a voluntary basis I try and help by serving as an interviewer on the IOD Chartered Director programme. A Chartered Director myself I found the development programme to be first class and the interview process really tested whether I actually had covered all the responsibilities as a Director

With a colleague I also run a one day programme on the Roles and Responsibilities of a Director. The programme is tailored to the needs of each board and is really a seminar on effective board practice as most Directors will admit they need help with understanding the law but few will admit they need help to be a Board member.

I also Chair Baylis Brands plc www.baylisbrands.com and serve on the Strategic Board of the Communications Management Association CMA www.thecma.com

During the last decade the balance of power between shareholders and management has, in general, shifted too far towards management .

For this reason I believe the independent director is best sponsored or proposed by the investors be they private equity or institutional. The Chairman need to ensure that the proposed director is a good fit with the rest of the board and that the management is consulted but have no veto.