Non-Executive Directorship

Rigorous governance, empathy with organisational aims, support to the board as a team, ideas and connections, ambassadorship.

Current Portfolio:

  • Chair of In2scienceUK
  • Non-Exec Chair of dxw
  • Independent Chair of the Audit Committee at St Albans City and District Council
  • Independent Non-Executive Member, Joint Audit Committee for Hertfordshire Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

Professional Development:

  • Taking IoD Certificate in Company Direction as a step towards Chartered Director
  • Member of the Association of Chairs
  • Institute of Directors Public Sector Ambassador for Hertfordshire in Eastern Region.

Outline Credentials/Experience:

  • Successful experience of being a non-exec since 1998
    • Chair of Society Works ltd (significant growth of trading company) and Trustee of its parent charity mySociety
    • Independent Chair of the Improvement Board for Local Councils, coordinating the activities of multiple stakeholders in the sector
    • A large commercially innovative college (CityLit) for which I chaired the Audit Committee, and then the Finance and Commercial Committee.
    • A BBSRC Research Institute (Rothamsted Research) for which I chaired the Audit Committee
    • A high growth community charity
    • A turnaround job on a small arts charity as Treasurer then Chair
  • Understand commercial disciplines (Senior roles in NatWest, Veredus and Capita)
  • Experience: OD, HR, Search, Finance, Audit & Risk
  • Know how the public sector works, especially local public services
  • Deeply “get” the difference between non-exec and exec roles, the importance and the tools of board governance.

Areas of interest:

  • Commercial organisations engaging with public sector/local government
  • Social enterprises or public-sector spin outs who need someone who can bring commercial rigour but “get” the public sector history
  • Public sector organisations that require professional non-exec input (eg NHS Trusts, Housing Associations, NDPBs, Agencies) especially where the unusual breadth of my experiences is useful.
  • Programme boards, audit committees or other governance boards that would benefit from independent external perspective.