On Tuesday 15th October we put on our fifth NEDSchool with 18 people present. As a reminder – this is the Per Ardua initiative to help increase the gene pool with quality NEDs and Chairmen in the Financial Services sector. 50% of those attending were women. We had a very high standard of presentation and subsequent debate – and all our “students” reported that they had learnt a great deal.

Special thanks go to Alan Dickinson LBG, speaking on “My time as a FTSE equivalent Chairman – some tips and advice”; Alastair Barbour, Phoenix, on “what makes a good SID”; Martin Stewart ex BofE and now on the Coventry BS board on “the Regulators view on what good looks like”. We finished off with John Kiely, CEO of Smithfield talking on “dealing with crises” and some subsequent quick fire role plays to keep people on their toes! Next year we hope to begin with a TechNEDSchool in the first quarter.

Simon Hearn and Jamie Risso-Gill. Board Practice