NED Transition

You might be a great leader, but that doesn't mean you'll be an effective NED. We help you bridge the gap.

The skills that make a great executive often work against you in the boardroom. The instinct to decide becomes governance overreach. The drive to lead becomes interference with management. And the NED market is complex; roles are rarely advertised, the materials are completely different and nomination committees assess you against criteria most executives have never been measured against. We know exactly what it takes to make the transition successfully.

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Why NED roles need a different approach

Board resumes and CVs follow entirely different conventions to executive materials; shorter, governance-focused and assessed against different criteria
NED LinkedIn profiles need to signal board-readiness in ways your executive profile probably doesn't
Nomination committees evaluate candidates on different capabilities; governance, influencing, collaboration, oversight, risk analysis
The hidden market is even more pronounced; the vast majority of NED roles are never advertised
Portfolio positioning requires careful sequencing of sectors, skills and experience in boards, committees, industry bodies, charities and other relevant organizations
The transition from executive instinct to governance mindset is a skill that can be learned

The process

Step 1: NED strategy & positioning

We start with a career strategy conversation which evaluates your board ambitions, your current profile and the gap between the two. What sectors are you targeting? What skills and experience do you bring to a board? How do you position a decades-long executive career for a governance role? We establish objectives before anything is written.

Step 2: Written materials

Together we'll create a compelling, precisely targeted board resume / CV, perfectly calibrated for the NED market. This will be concise, governance-focused and structured around the contribution you bring to a board rather than your leadership responsibilities. We'll also create an engaging NED LinkedIn profile, cover letter and any supporting statements or biographies required.

Step 3: Interviews & presentations

Board-level interviews and presentations are a different beast. We prepare you for the specific questions nomination committees ask, how to present the competencies they want to hear, the dynamics of a board interview and how to show up as a peer rather than a candidate.

Step 4: Review, refine and support

As many iterations as the work needs until you're happy, plus ongoing support as your search develops.

Benefits

Specialist knowledge of the NED job market

Most career coaches have never recruited at board level or worked with nomination committees. We have, and can give you the tools, the clarity and the confidence to optimize your presentation to the market.

Targeted, relevant presentation materials

A board resume or CV that follows the right conventions. A LinkedIn profile that signals board-readiness. Cover letters, bios and other supporting materials that speak the language of nomination committees and search firms.

Credible board interview strategy

The difference between candidates who get appointed and those who don't is often how they present in the room. Is cultural fit right? Can you influence, persuade, collaborate without holding executive authority? We make sure you arrive prepared, confident and ready to perform.

A clear path to your next NED role

Whether you're targeting your first NED position or building a portfolio career, we give you a clear understanding of the market, the right materials to compete and the positioning to win the appointments you want.