Enter the Boardroom with Nurole

As Founder and CEO of finnCap, an end-to-end financial services firm for high-growth companies, Sam Smith hit a roadblock at 17m annual revenues. But then a chance conversation sparked a mental gear change that broke the stasis. Tune in to discover how non-execs, mentors and business culture drove this extraordinary entrepreneurial success story forwards.  Specifically: Where did Sam find support in the early stages of finnCap (1:11)? What behaviours did Sam need to change to unlock growth (8:31)? How can leaders carve out time to think about strategy (11:21)? How did Sam’s Chair help her in the growth journey (14:18)? What are the commercial benefits of  inclusive cultures (18:49)? How can boards measure inclusivity (21:32)? Where do organisations most commonly go wrong with their culture (25:28)? How do you onboard in a way that allows board members to add value quickly (28:01)? Host: Oliver Cummings Producer: Will Felton Editor: Alex Fish Music: Kate Mac Audio: Nick Kolt Email: podcast@nurole.com Web: https://www.nurole.com/nurole-podcast-enter-the-boardroom

Digital disruption shook the education industry to its core. As CEO of Pearson, a global education publisher, John Fallon was at the heart of this upheaval. John joins Nurole CEO Oliver Cummings to discuss the board's pivotal role during Pearson's transformation. Dive into discussions on how boards help: reshape established cultures (1:03), marry disruption with alignment (5:35), build trust with top executives (11:21), gauge team alignment (14:03), leverage data to manage change (17:01), ensure oversight without stifling leadership (20:09), craft robust go-to-market strategies (23:03), manage the repercussions of profit warnings (27:41), and navigate the risks associated with focus (30:03). Tune in for a masterclass in board leadership and change management.   Host: Oliver Cummings Producer: Will Felton Editor: Alex Fish Music: Kate Mac Audio: Nick Kolt Email: podcast@nurole.com Web: https://www.nurole.com/nurole-podcast-enter-the-boardroom

As former Lumos Nigeria CEO and current NED at Wolseley UK and Ibstock plc, Peju Adebajo has navigated the CEO-board dynamic from both sides of the fence. Peju started her first board role in 2021. So her reflections on finding one’s non-executive voice and how boards can be more inclusive are rooted in recent lived experience. Join Peju and Nurole CEO Oliver Cummings in a discussion which covers: how Chairs build trust with CEOs (1:02); what CEOs need from board members (9:02); how boards can become more inclusive (16:37), and what new board members can do to find their voice quickly (27:08). Host: Oliver Cummings Producer: Will Felton Editor: Alex Fish Music: Kate Mac Audio: Nick Kolt Email: podcast@nurole.com Web: https://www.nurole.com/nurole-podcast-enter-the-boardroom

“Cyber is not a technical matter. It is a business matter. It is something that should be actively managed by the board. If you don’t ask the questions, you are going to miss something.” Join Dimitri Chichlo, non-executive Vice-Chairman and Chair of the Operations & Digital Committee at Ukreximbank (Ukraine’s third largest bank) in a discussion about cybersecurity. Drawing on his experiences in the War in Ukraine, Dimitri covers: where cyber disasters have taken businesses under (1:16); different cyber risks and their respective motivations (4:27);  the most common points of cyber failure (10:47); key questions boards need to ask to understand their cyber resilience and risks (14:54); what non-technical boards can do to get up to speed re risks and resilience (18:43) ; how boards can counter risks (19:56); the importance of recovery over defence (24:18); the risks posed by board members themselves (28:16), and three things board members can do to help their organisations with cyber security today (31:17). Host: Oliver Cummings Producer: Will Felton Editor: Alex Fish Music: Kate Mac Audio: Nick Kolt Email: podcast@nurole.com Web: https://www.nurole.com/nurole-podcast-enter-the-boardroom

As Founding CRO of Hubspot, Mark increased annualised revenue from $0-100 million through to IPO and grew his team from 1 to 450 employees. Join Mark and Nurole CEO, Oliver Cummings, as they discuss how board can use science-based thinking to make better decisions. Specifically: how Mark applies science-based growth lessons from Hubspot in his role as a board member (1:54); how to determine how fast your company can scale (6:52); how boards can break companies by mandating irresponsible growth (12:34); how board members can plan effectively (and why they don’t) (16:19); the pros and cons of remote and in-person board meetings (18:09); what boards need to understand about pricing (24:49), and how organisations can get the most advisory value from their boards (31:02).Host: Oliver Cummings Producer: Will Felton Editor: Alex Fish Music: Kate Mac Audio: Nick Kolt Email: podcast@nurole.com Web: https://www.nurole.com/nurole-podcast-enter-the-boardroom

How do Chairs build and run high-impact Scale-up boards? Drawing on decades of experience creating and operating boards in the scale-up space, Frog Capital Founder Mike Reid discusses his 5 part framework for thinking about the role of the Chair. Join Mike and Nurole CEO Oliver Cummings in a discussion which covers how high-value boards: approach strategy; balance executive support and challenge; apportion time to different stakeholders; manage investor directors, and avoid boardroom dysfunction. Host: Oliver Cummings Producer: Will Felton Editor: Alex Fish Music: Kate Mac Audio: Nick Kolt Email: podcast@nurole.com Web: https://www.nurole.com/nurole-podcast-enter-the-boardroom

How do education boards go about measuring success? And in one of the world's most complex and idiosyncratic education systems, how do you begin to know where to build a career? As Trustee of the Reach Academy Trust and Deputy Chief Executive at the Chartered College of Teaching, Jen Baxter offers wisdom from a lifetime on education boards. Join Jen and Nurole CEO Oli Cummings in a discussion which covers: how to measure success; MAT and Governor roles - the similarities and differences; hiring best practice - the best questions (and answers), and how to balance passion projects with family life. Host: Oliver Cummings Producer: Will Felton Editor: Alex Fish Music: Kate Mac Audio: Nick Kolt Email: podcast@nurole.com Web: https://www.nurole.com/nurole-podcast-enter-the-boardroom

Forty percent of executives last less than 18 months at a company, at a cost of 10-30x the executive's salary. The price tag is higher when it comes to the most senior executive - the CEO. What can boards to do about this? Transition coach Navid Nazemian offers answers in a discussion which covers: the top 3 reasons for C-suite transition failure; people, politics and culture - how boards need to help; why boards should focus on the last 90 days of incumbents; CEO onboarding best practice, and how boards can master their own transitions. Host: Oliver Cummings Producer: Will Felton Editor: Alex Fish Music: Kate Mac Audio: Nick Kolt Email: podcast@nurole.com Web: https://www.nurole.com/nurole-podcast-enter-the-boardroom

What's needed to Chair a board in FTSE's high-growth market? With 15+ years' non-executive experience, latterly as Chair of AIM quoted TomCo Energy and Harland & Wolff, Malcolm offers a hard-earned perspective on what it takes to succeed at the helm of high-growth firms. Amongst other things, he considers: the particular qualities AIM boards look for in NEDs; evaluating risk, return and success; building strong relationships with CEOs; getting the most out of non-execs (and weeding out the egotists); managing investors, and how to become Chair of a high-growth company. Essential listening for current or aspiring NEDs operating in the AIM market.  Host: Oliver Cummings Producer: Will Felton Editor: Alex Fish Music: Kate Mac Audio: Nick Kolt Email: podcast@nurole.com Web: https://www.nurole.com/nurole-podcast-enter-the-boardroom

Most organisations face extreme pressure to create and pursue meaningful ESG strategies. But in a sea of acronyms, greenwashing and generalities, it can be hard to know where to begin. In this episode, Nina Spencer, CEO of Addidat, an ESG data and analytics company focused on the AIM market, offers an ESG booster shot for boards. Amongst other things, she considers: the meaning of ESG; where firms go wrong with strategy; how to assess the potential ROI of different schemes; quick wins; the redundancy of diversity without inclusion, and mental health and cybersecurity best practice. Essential listening for anyone interested in understanding, contextualising and benchmarking their organisation's ESG performance. Host: Oliver Cummings Producer: Will Felton Editor: Alex Fish Music: Kate Mac Audio: Nick Kolt Email: podcast@nurole.com Web: https://www.nurole.com/nurole-podcast-enter-the-boardroom