The Independent Director : The Non-Executive Director’s Guide to Effective Board Presence

Non-executive directors play a very important role in modern business. Providing a rare emphasis on 'soft skills', culture and relationship building, this comprehensive guide offers a unique insight into what it's actually like to be a non-executive director, backed up by global case studies, research and interviews. Independent Chairmen and Directors play a crucial role in business today. This comprehensive, global guide provides a unique insight into what it's like to be an Independent Chairman and Director, the contributions made to companies, and the challenges faced in these roles. It features a large range of international case studies from different sectors, which are used to explore eight central themes critical to business today. Supported by academic research and interviews with business leaders, the book provides a rare emphasis on 'soft skills', the importance of cultural flexibility, relationship building, and the value to boards of an independent perspective. It is essential reading both for current and aspiring Independent Chairmen or Directors, as well as for companies seeking to improve their boards Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 List of Figures and Tables 10 Acknowledgments 13 About the Author 15 Chapter 1 Introduction 16 Why This Book? 17 The Importance of Independence 20 Structure of the Book 21 Chapter 2 Executive Experience 24 NFC 25 TDG and Tibbett & Britten 32 Personal Experience 33 Lessons Learned 35 Chapter 3 Case Studies 37 Datrontech plc 37 Quintiles Transnational Corporation 44 Vantec Corporation 52 Keller Group plc 61 CH Jones Ltd 71 Forth Ports plc 79 U-POL Ltd 88 Michael Gerson Ltd 97 Biocompatibles plc 104 NFT Ltd 114 NovaQuest Capital Management 122 Chapter 4 Themes 133 Boards 133 Ownership 157 Strategy 176 Globalization 194 Risk 211 Advisors 226 Executive Teams 237 Independent Directors 253 Chapter 5 Conclusion 273 Lessons Learned 275 Future Challenge 278 A Final Note 280 Chapter 6 Building a Portfolio 281 Getting Started 282 The End Game 284 Notes 287 Index 291 Front Matter....Pages i-xiv Introduction....Pages 1-8 Executive Experience....Pages 9-21 Case Studies....Pages 22-117 Themes....Pages 118-257 Conclusion....Pages 258-265 Building a Portfolio....Pages 266-271 Back Matter....Pages 272-289