The Better Boards Podcast Series

Send us a textWe are all clear that we want to create effective and high-performing boards. A whole industry has developed around board evaluations. Some are cynical about this. Academics and consultants propose different models and solutions. In my view, there is no right or wrong. Different approaches work in a different context. We find that the most crucial part is that board have data, gain insights and act. Welcome to the Better Boards podcast series. In this episode, I am delighted to talk with Ralph Schubert about creating a high-performance culture in the boardroom. As our loyal listeners know, our aim is to inspire, share good practice and give you ideas about how you can create more effective and high-performing boards. Ralph comes to this subject from a different angle than governance professionals. He has worked for many years with winning teams in Formula 1 and applies now his insights and learnings in boardrooms across Europe.  I am Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards. We make the boards of the most ambitious organisations more effective. Our mission at Better Boards is to contribute to creating better boards. We do this by providing clients with an evidence-based approach for board evaluations and board development programmes. We make the boards of the most ambitious organisations more effective. We do this by providing clients with an evidence-based approach for board evaluations and board development programmes. To fulfil our mission, we give a voice to all who are care about creating better boards.Ralph Schubert is a Senior Partner at Coverdale Team Management in Germany. For years he worked with the most successful Formula 1 and DTM racing teams. His intimate understanding of winning teams leads to the development of his thinking and approach to peak performance and culture. Today he applies the learning from Formula 1 in his work with boards of German DAX organisations. Ralph studied Computer Science and started his career as a System Analyst. How can we help you and your board to become more effective? We at Better Boards are always delighted to hear from you. Get in touch. You can best reach us at info@better-boards.com. The Better Boards Podcast has been selected as one of the Top 10 Corporate Governance Podcasts by Feedspot.    Remember to subscribe and never miss an episode of the Better Boards Podcast Series. It’s available on Apple, Spotify, or Google. To find out how you can participate in the Better Boards Podcast Series or for more information on Better Boards’ solutions, please email us at info@better-boards.com.

Send us a textMuch has been written about the roles of executives and non-executives on boards and mostly from a pure governance perspective. What is often missing is the clarity and the practical relevance. Alignment comes before effectiveness.Welcome to the Better Boards podcast series. In this episode, I am delighted to talk with Jim Haudan about “Going beyond governance – The art of talking about what really matters”. I am Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards. We make the boards of the most ambitious organisations more effective. We do this by providing clients with an evidence-based approach for board evaluations and board development programmes.To fulfil our mission, we give a voice to all who care about creating better boards Jim Haudan is Co-founder, and Chief Executive Officer of Root Learning and has more than 20 years of experience helping organisations and individuals unleash hidden potential by fully engaging people in the critical changes of their business. He has worked with thousands of leaders around the globe and many Fortune 500 boards.How can we help you and your board to become more effective? We at Better Boards are always delighted to hear from you. Get in touch. You can best reach us at info@better-boards.com. The Better Boards Podcast has been selected as one of the Top 10 Corporate Governance Podcasts by Feedspot.        Remember to subscribe and never miss an episode of the Better Boards Podcast Series. It’s available on Apple, Spotify, or Google. To find out how you can participate in the Better Boards Podcast Series or for more information on Better Boards’ solutions, please email us at info@better-boards.com.

Send us a textMuch has been written about the roles of executives and non-executives on boards and mostly from a pure governance perspective. What is often missing is the clarity and the practical relevance. Alignment comes before effectiveness.Welcome to the Better Boards podcast series. In this episode, I am delighted to talk with Ken Schuetz about "The Alignment of Executives and Non-Executives in the Boardroom".I am Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards. We make the boards of the most ambitious organisations more effective. We do this by providing clients with an evidence-based approach for board evaluations and board development programmes.To fulfil our mission, we give a voice to all who care about creating better boards. Ken Schuetz is the creator of the Aligned Influence model. He invested the first 25 years of his career as an executive at the University of Colorado, and where he currently is a member of the teaching faculty of the Leeds School of Business. Ken has served on the boards of schools, churches, and non-profits as well as the chairman of the Substantial Services Taskforce for the National Education Broadband Service Association and the International Development Committee for St. Vrain Valley Habitat for Humanity.How can we help you and your board to become more effective? We at Better Boards are always delighted to hear from you. Get in touch. You can best reach us at info@better-boards.com. The Better Boards Podcast has been selected as one of the Top 10 Corporate Governance Podcasts by Feedspot.       Remember to subscribe and never miss an episode of the Better Boards Podcast Series. It’s available on Apple, Spotify, or Google. To find out how you can participate in the Better Boards Podcast Series or for more information on Better Boards’ solutions, please email us at info@better-boards.com.

Send us a textDuring the pandemic, we all got used to working virtually. The business of Zoom has exploded and it is such a common feature in our lives that it has become a verb. We are all zooming. As restrictions are eased, the discussion is heating up about what the “new normal” looks like. The CEO of Zoom expects sales to rise more than 40% this year. Some organisations order there employees back into the office while others announce that their employees are free to work from anywhere. The future of work has arrived. What do boards need to think about? What does it mean for the controls of the business?Welcome to the Better Boards podcast series. In this episode, I am delighted to talk with John Mongelard about Hybrid working and controls – What should boards think about?I am Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards. We make the boards of the most ambitious organisations more effective. We do this by providing clients with an evidence-based approach for board evaluations and board development programmes.To fulfil our mission, we give a voice to all who care about creating better boards.John Mongelard leads ICAEW’s programme on financial services issues that have a risk or regulation theme. In his role, he looks at how financial services issues such as misconduct, crypto-currencies, corporate governance and IFRS 9 are influencing financial services firms, their regulators and lending to the real economy. John joined ICAEW from the Prudential Regulation Authority. John worked in various supervision roles and looked at the large UK banks, international banks and insurance companies. He has undertaken risk assessment work on bank capital, business models, risk management frameworks and corporate governance. How can we help you and your board to become more effective? We at Better Boards are always delighted to hear from you. Get in touch. You can best reach us at info@better-boards.com. The Better Boards Podcast has been selected as one of the Top 10 Corporate Governance Podcasts by Feedspot.      Remember to subscribe and never miss an episode of the Better Boards Podcast Series. It’s available on Apple, Spotify, or Google. To find out how you can participate in the Better Boards Podcast Series or for more information on Better Boards’ solutions, please email us at info@better-boards.com.

Send us a textThe revised UK Corporate Governance Code places a great emphasis on the importance of culture within a business and is seen as a blueprint for corporate governance around the world.Welcome to the Better Boards podcast series. In this episode, I am delighted to talk with Mike Gahir, Chair of the Board of Trustee at Steps to Work about "Culture, it all starts in the boardroom" Mike was a winner at this year’s Non-Executive Director Awards in the UK as the ‘NED to watch’. He was praised by the judges for overhauling the leadership and transparency at Steps to Work.Mike stresses the importance he himself places on culture in the work he has achieved so far.I am Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards. We make the boards of the most ambitious organisations more effective. We do this by providing clients with an evidence-based approach for board evaluations and board development programmes.To fulfil our mission, we give a voice to all who care about creating better boards.How can we help you and your board to become more effective? We at Better Boards are always delighted to hear from you. Get in touch. You can best reach us at info@better-boards.com. The Better Boards Podcast has been selected as one of the Top 10 Corporate Governance Podcasts by Feedspot.     Remember to subscribe and never miss an episode of the Better Boards Podcast Series. It’s available on Apple, Spotify, or Google. To find out how you can participate in the Better Boards Podcast Series or for more information on Better Boards’ solutions, please email us at info@better-boards.com.

Send us a textThere is a rising tide of investors, communities and talent caring about ESG issues. No longer is it surprising to see ESG feature more prominently on the agendas in boardrooms.It is no longer acceptable to invest in a business for profits alone when those with poor practices can have such a profoundly negative impact on the world around us. Welcome to the Better Boards podcast series. In this episode, I am delighted to talk with Margot Slattery, Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at ISS A/S about "Putting the 'S' in ESG"Born in Ireland, Margot was one of the key contributors to the country’s Same-sex Marriage Act, particularly in the business sphere. Before her current role with ISS, she was Global Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Sodexo.I am Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards. We make the boards of the most ambitious organisations more effective. We do this by providing clients with an evidence-based approach for board evaluations and board development programmes.To fulfil our mission, we give a voice to all who care about creating better boards.How can we help you and your board to become more effective? We at Better Boards are always delighted to hear from you. Get in touch. You can best reach us at info@better-boards.com. The Better Boards Podcast has been selected as one of the Top 10 Corporate Governance Podcasts by Feedspot.    Remember to subscribe and never miss an episode of the Better Boards Podcast Series. It’s available on Apple, Spotify, or Google. To find out how you can participate in the Better Boards Podcast Series or for more information on Better Boards’ solutions, please email us at info@better-boards.com.

Send us a textM&A and transactions are no longer considered an add-on, but a pivotal part of a company's value creation process.Welcome to the Better Boards podcast series. In this episode, I am delighted to talk with Nickesha Graham-Burrell, Head of Company Secretariat at OSB Group Plc about "The role of the Company Secretary in major transactions".I am Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards. We make the boards of the most ambitious organisations more effective. We do this by providing clients with an evidence-based approach for board evaluations and board development programmes.To fulfil our mission, we give a voice to all who care about creating better boards.Nickesha is an experienced Company Secretary, who has previously worked within HSBC and Songbird Estates. This year she was a winner within the ‘Deal Maker’ category of the DMJ Recruitment Governance Hot 100 awards. How can we help you and your board to become more effective? We at Better Boards are always delighted to hear from you. Get in touch. You can best reach us at info@better-boards.com. The Better Boards Podcast has been selected as one of the Top 15 Corporate Governance Podcasts by Feedspot.  Remember to subscribe and never miss an episode of the Better Boards Podcast Series. It’s available on Apple, Spotify, or Google. To find out how you can participate in the Better Boards Podcast Series or for more information on Better Boards’ solutions, please email us at info@better-boards.com.

Send us a textThe role of the Company Secretary is evolving and is not clearly defined. Company Secretaries who are proactive and take the initiative can shape the role so that it really suits them, and help improve the board as a whole.Welcome to the Better Boards podcast series. In this episode, I am delighted to talk with John Mills, Company Secretary of Smiths Group plc about 'The role of the Company Secretary in increasing the effectiveness of Non-Executive Directors'.I am Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards. We make the boards of the most ambitious organisations more effective. We do this by providing clients with an evidence-based approach for board evaluations and board development programmes.To fulfil our mission, we give a voice to all who care about creating better boards. John joined Smiths Group in 2018 and has previously held senior roles in a variety of sectors, including at Anglo American plc, RSA Insurance Group plc and Cadbury plc.This year, John was named a DMJ Recruitment Governance Hot 100 awards winner in the category of Board Influencer. This category is for individuals that influence strategic decision making at the most senior level and are particularly adept at forging relationships with key stakeholders.How can we help you and your board to become more effective? We at Better Boards are always delighted to hear from you. Get in touch. You can best reach us at info@better-boards.com. The Better Boards Podcast has been selected as one of the Top 15 Corporate Governance Podcasts by Feedspot. Remember to subscribe and never miss an episode of the Better Boards Podcast Series. It’s available on Apple, Spotify, or Google. To find out how you can participate in the Better Boards Podcast Series or for more information on Better Boards’ solutions, please email us at info@better-boards.com.

Send us a textGood reporting is crucial for any high performing and effective board. But how can you ensure your reporting process is delivering for your board?Welcome to the Better Boards podcast series. In this episode, I am delighted to talk with David Whincup, Deputy Company Secretary at Provident Financial Group, about 'Board Reporting; the indispensable part of effective Boards'I am Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards. We make the boards of the most ambitious organisations more effective. We do this by providing clients with an evidence-based approach for board evaluations and board development programmes.To fulfil our mission, we give a voice to all who care about creating better boards. Before his role with Provident Financial Group, David previously held roles with the National Grid and Reckitt Benckiser. This year, David was named in the DMJ Recruitment Governance Hot 100 awards as a winner in the ‘Governance Trailblazers’ category. This category recognised forward-thinkers who went beyond expectations to raise the standard of Corporate Governance.How can we help you and your board to become more effective? We at Better Boards are always delighted to hear from you. Get in touch. You can best reach us at info@better-boards.com. The Better Boards Podcast has been selected as one of the Top 15 Corporate Governance Podcasts by Feedspot. Remember to subscribe and never miss an episode of the Better Boards Podcast Series. It’s available on Apple, Spotify, or Google. To find out how you can participate in the Better Boards Podcast Series or for more information on Better Boards’ solutions, please email us at info@better-boards.com.

Send us a textBoards today face technological, geopolitical, demographic, and environmental changes at an incredibly rapid pace. How can Company Secretaries help ensure boards are ‘Future-fit’ to be able to tackle these changes effectively?Welcome to the Better Boards podcast series. In this episode, I am delighted to talk with Loren Wulfsohn, Global Head of Policy and Stakeholder Engagement, Corporate Governance & Secretariat at HSBC about ‘The role of the Company Secretary in creating future-fit boards’.I am Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards. We make the boards of the most ambitious organisations more effective. We do this by providing clients with an evidence-based approach for board evaluations and board development programmes. To fulfil our mission, we give a voice to all who care about creating better boards.Before her current role, Loren was Company Secretary of HSBC Bank plc and Regional Company Secretary for Europe. She has previously been Head of Shareholder Services at HSBC and was formerly Group Secretary and Head of Governance at Standard Bank Group for 10 years. Loren moved to Australia in 2012, where she consulted on strategic governance and board practice to a range of both financial and not-for-profit entities in Australia, the US and across Africa, prior to her move to the UK.  This year, Loren was also voted one of the Hot 100 for innovation by the DMJ Recruitment Governance Hot 100 awards.  Loren draws upon her experience from her governance career across HSBC and Standard Bank Group to provide real, practical advice for how Company Secretaries can ensure a board is ‘future-fit'. This includes insights into the behaviours and skills Company Secretaries should be prioritising to be at their most effective. How can we help you and your board to become more effective? We at Better Boards are always delighted to hear from you. Get in touch. You can best reach us at info@better-boards.com. The Better Boards Podcast has been selected as one of the Top 15 Corporate Governance Podcasts by Feedspot. Remember to subscribe and never miss an episode of the Better Boards Podcast Series. It’s available on Apple, Spotify, or Google. To find out how you can participate in the Better Boards Podcast Series or for more information on Better Boards’ solutions, please email us at info@better-boards.com.