The Company of Human Resource Professionals aims to run an annual Board Effectiveness Programme aimed at those working at senior level either within the HR Profession or other trades and professions.
Introduction and Objectives
Our primary objective is to help create a good understanding of what constitutes an effective board and how it operates. This is fundamental to aspiring, new and experienced board members for them to contribute value and to make a difference in the Boardroom.
Executive directors, non-executive directors (NEDs), trustees and governors all need to keep up to date both technically and with the further development of some of the softer personal skills and board member competencies to remain boardroom ‘match-fit’ in a constantly evolving world.
This practical and interactive course is designed to provide board members with the knowledge and skills required for them to carry out their roles more effectively. Moreover, a unique feature is that it helps individuals to prepare for such positions through mindset, approach, documentation and experiential insights from those who have successfully made the transition.
The Programme Details
The programme is divided into Four Parts.
PART ONE: Becoming an effective board member
4th November - In person event in the City of London
14th November - Remote
- Being a board member or trustee today
- Corporate governance
- The director's role, responsibilities and duties
- Director competencies, behaviours and attributes
- The committees - remuneration, audit and risk, nominations
- What does good look like?
- Board performance evaluation
- Strategy, risk, finance and ESG updates. Focus on culture and EDI
PART TWO: Preparing for board level opportunities
21st November - Remote - 1.5 hours
- Presenting the skills and experience required to be an effective board member/NED or trustee - both as a CV and as part of "your elevator story"
- How to identify potential opportunities whilst understanding the board and wider stakeholder requirements using a bespoke career planning document as part of a self-assessment tool
- Plot your own path
PART THREE: Mentoring (to be determined with delegate and mentor)
- Opportunity to embed the learning from the one-day Board Effectiveness Programme
- Test personal career plans and documentation
- Rehearse your "board transition" elevator story with a professional who operates as this level
- Finalise your Board or Trustee CV showing different strengths to your professional background (ie HR or other)
PART FOUR: OPTIONAL
- A multiple choice, open-book test which can be taken at any time within 12 months of the course
- Questions are drawn from an extensive question bank based on the course text which should therefore be studied in advance of taking the test
- Six months' complimentary NEDA membership including The Non-Executive Directors' Handbook to support course learning and act as a reference guide during your career as a Board Director, NED, Trustee, leader and board committee member.
There is a very small extra charge for the certification process of £50 + VAT (invoiced with the programme cost if required). This is supplemented by continued updates during the programme.
About our Partners
This Board Effectiveness Programme is being delivered by the Company of Human Resource Professionals, the Non-Executive Directors’ Association and supported by the CIPD and Evelyn Partners. This recognises the importance that the profession places on people leaders contributing to the board agenda.
The Company of Human Resource Professionals (HR Company) was formed in 2015 and is progressing through the livery world and it aims to provide the opportunity for senior leaders to ‘give back’ to the profession. Its objectives are to provide education, charitable and pro bono services and to thereby support HR people, its charity partners and the wider City. This is predominantly the Lord Mayor, other liveries and the City of London Corporation. Supporting this programme are Andrea Eccles, Caroline Sheridan and Keri Garrod.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is the professional body for experts in people at work. Their purpose is to champion better work and working lives by setting professional standards for HR and people development, as well as driving positive change in the world of work. Supporting this programme at the CIPD is Peter Cheese CEO who will be providing technical insights and introductory videos for the Board Effectiveness Programme.
The Non-Executive Directors’ Association (NEDA) is the professional association that develops and supports NEDs from diverse backgrounds with the right skills, knowledge and mindset to ensure they have a positive impact in the boardroom and beyond. Supporting this programme is CEO, Nick Blackwell.
Evelyn Partners - One of the UK’s leading wealth management organisations, Evelyn have been experts in wealth and business advisory services since 1836. Evelyn offers the full range of financial services including, financial advisory, investment management and corporate employee benefit structures working with a range of clients, to design bespoke joined-up solutions that target their needs. Through strategic alliances, the firm is also able to support businesses internationally – ensuring global coverage. Supporting this programme at Evelyn is Steve Cave.
The Programme Faculty
Andrea Eccles
Programme Co-Leader
Former CEO, past PLC Board Director, Past Master, NED and Co-Founder of the Company of Human Resource Professionals
- Andrea has held board and senior leadership roles for over 25 years. She is currently a Senior Advisor and on the board of the City HR Association Limited, having been their CEO for 16 years until 2023. She is the Past Master of the Company of Human Resource Professionals, which she co-founded in 2014, and is also the Past Chair of their separate Charitable Trust.
- Prior to this she was on the board of Fairplace PLC post the acquisition of her HCM services company. She commenced her career in HR where she spent 11 happy years in two leading Investment Banks.
- She has a Masters Degree in HR Management and is a Fellow of the CIPD.
Stephen Sidebottom
Head of Education
Master, International CHRO and NED
- Stephen has held global HR leadership roles including at Standard Chartered and Nomura International, and has led on major organisation change, OD, culture and performance, and complex people solutions.
- He is Chair of the Institute of Risk Management (IRM) and Kent Savers Credit Union
- He has an MBA from London Business School, an MA from Oxford and is a Fellow of the CIPD and a Court Member of the HR Guild.
Nick Blackwell
Programme Co-Leader
CEO of NEDA
Keri Garrod
Mentor Lead
Annette Andrews
Non-Executive Director
Past Master, Former CPO Lloyd’s of London
- Executive Coach and Consultant to HRDs and Business Leaders.
- Former CHRO at Lloyd’s of London where she led on the Global HR Talent Strategy.
- Annette is a Certified Coach and Mediator with an MBA and is a Fellow of the CIPD.
- Now a Chairman of the Board, RemCo Chair and Non-Executive Director in both the Private and Charity Sector. Using all of her prior knowledge and experience to add values in these roles, whilst continuing to learn about new businesses and sectors.
Valerie Gordon-Walker
Non-Executive Director
UK & International NED
- Named by Cranfield’s 2017 FTSE Board Report as one of the 100 Senior Women to watch, Valerie is a highly experienced independent non-executive director and chair. Her Executive career as a MD, Executive Committee Member and Group Head of People spanned banking, insurance, retail and energy and, since 2009, a strong non-executive portfolio career.
- Valerie is a UK & International NED within the aviation industry and at one of the leading Lloyd’s Managing Agents, chairing both Remuneration and Nominations Committees. She has also been a Board member and Chair of Remuneration for DWP Digital and an Independent Senior Board Advisor to the FCA and the PRA at the Bank of England.
- Valerie is a graduate of University College Dublin and a Founder member of the Guild of HR Professionals.
Meena Anand
Non-Executive Director
Portfolio NED, CEO and Founder, The Careers Company, CEO City HR Association
- Meena is an experienced Human Resources professional. She was latterly the Managing Director and Chief HR Officer for the 30,000 strong Global Business Services arm of Standard Charted Bank.
- She currently serves as a Non-executive Director at both CNWL NHS Foundation Trust and Origin Housing. She is also Trustee for Community Schools Trust, Multi Academy Trust and a Board Advisor for an HR publication based in Asia. Meena is also the CEO of the City HR Association.
- Meena is on the Inspire List (Trustees Unlimited) and has been recognised as one of the 100 Women to watch to be a FTSE 350 NED by Cranfield in 2021. In addition to her Board work, Meena recently founded The Careers Company and has particular interest in working with under-represented groups in the world of work.
Programme Fees
The fee for attending the Board Effectiveness Programme is:-
- In person: £1300.00 plus VAT (City location and inclusive of all refreshments)
- Remote: £1300.00 plus VAT (for those unable to travel)
The fee is inclusive of Parts 1 to 3 of the programme and all course materials including the NEDA NED Handbook, available through the NEDA portal. There is an additional fee of £50 for the optional on-line NEDA Certification Test and Certificate.
Delegates do not need to be members of the HR Company to participate in the programme but a reduced Company of HR Professionals membership fee of £225.00 incl. VAT (first year introductory offer) is available for any individual who subsequently join.
Please complete the registration form below to register your interest in 2025 programme
Board Effectiveness Programme Registration Form
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