Develop your career as a board member

Have you ever considered a career as a board member? Here we examine what it takes to be an effective board member, how to learn the skills required for the boardroom and why the boardroom is no longer just a place for white men of a certain age.
The first step in developing your career as a board member is to hone your skills. This means understanding the roles and responsibilities of a board member and developing the skills necessary to perform them.
Consider attending seminars and workshops to learn more about the role of a board member and the responsibilities of a board.
Networking is a key component of any successful career. Developing relationships with other board members, as well as those in the industry, can make you more visible in the eyes of those who recruit for board members.
Pay for board members is also increasing.
Non-executive directors sitting on FTSE 100 boards got paid an average of £70,000 in the UK in 2019. The average remuneration for non-executive directors on an Irish board in 2019 was €63,382.
How to develop your skills as a board member
Enrol in the Corporate Governance Institute’s Diploma in Corporate Governance and develop the mindset, the practical skills and the confidence to become an effective board director.
Enrolment is each month.
An accredited, postgraduate qualification
The Diploma in Corporate Governance is a formally accredited, postgraduate qualification for aspiring and existing non-executive directors and company directors.
This thirty-six-hour online course will provide you with an unmatched opportunity to endorse your skills as an active, confident non-executive director.
The course is delivered by experienced board directors and governance practitioners and includes videos and real-life case studies, together with the customary self-paced e-learning modules. The assessment is MCQ-based.
You will:
- Acquire a recognised formal qualification to help you secure new board roles.
- Develop the skills of a highly-effective non-executive director.
- Learn how to challenge management teams and contribute to excellent board culture.
- Learn how to promote yourself as a non-executive director.
To become a board member, you need professional guidance on your duties as a non-executive director. The Corporate Governance Institute can help. You can develop your career as a non-executive director with a globally-recognised, university-approved Diploma in Corporate Governance.
Read more: The European Union has introduced a 40% quota for women on boards across the bloc.
What makes a great board member?
A great board member and company director is someone who is able to provide strong leadership, has a clear vision for the company, is able to make tough decisions, and is able to motivate their team.
They should also be able to understand the company’s financials, be able to communicate effectively and have a good understanding of the legal and regulatory environment.
Additionally, they should be able to build relationships with stakeholders, and be able to anticipate and manage risks. Finally, they should be able to delegate tasks in a way that supports and involves their colleagues.