Fiftyfaces Focus Podcast - The Next Chapter

In this last episode in this collection we go primarily to the US and Middle East, where we meet with some seasoned as well as newer directors to hear their thoughts on the evolution of the role and the power of diversity. We also hear from two guests, Dr. Rania Azmi and Kim Smith, who will feature in the first series of our 2022 Fiftyfaces Podcast.  First we hear from Jan Nicholson, who is president of two private family foundations, the Nicholson Foundation in New Jersey, and the Grable Foundation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  She has held board positions at Rubbermaid bowl Corporation and Radian Group, Inc, from 1990 to 2015. I asked her about how her investment experience fed in to her Board roles, and how even without specific industry experience it is really possible to add value by leveraging her own expertise – e.g. on the Audit Committee of a board.  Staying in the US we then hear from legal legend, former Michigan Supreme Court Judge and Mayor of Detroit, Dennis Archer.  Dennis has committed his life to lifting up people behind him on the ladder, and he reflects on the levels of diversity within Board level roles and why diversity has such value. We hear then from Gerald Chen-Young, who was formerly CIO of the United Negro College Fund as well as holding numerous board roles and now running his own consultancy.  He is candid about his reflections on his time in the executive role and how he wishes he had done even more to promote inclusion.  Moving then to our 2022 guest, we hear from Kuwait-based Dr. Rania Azmi about her Board Roles and how she has seen value in thinking outside the box to add value.   The outstanding Kimberly Smith rounds out this podcast and the entire series by distinguishing between having a seat at the table and having a voice, and the importance of ground rules to establish Board norms.  Setting the tone, starting as we mean to continue.  I hope that you found these insights useful across the Next Chapter Series. I hope you found some food for thought here in this episode of FIftyfaces focus – The Next Chapter.

This podcast series was made possible by the kind support of Darwin Alternatives.

Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited offers innovative, alpha-driven investment solutions that are uncorrelated with traditional asset classes and feature business areas which have not previously been considered by investment funds. The firm aims to create new opportunities for investors to further diversify their portfolios and achieve stable absolute returns.

In Series 3 of this FiftyFaces Focus Series focusing on the Next Chapter – and specifically portfolio careers and what makes an effective Board Member and Chari we meet with Alexandra Noble, Daniele Beasley, Susan Martin and Henry Tapper.  We hear from a group of leaders committed to training the next generation of leaders, coaching through change and ensuring that all pensioners get to retire with dignity and informed choices.  First we hear from Alexandra Noble, who's an independent strategic adviser to financial institutions and charities and has a particular interest in mentoring the next generation of investment leaders. She shares what it means to be a good leader, the importance of listening and key it is to allow all meeting participants to have a voice. We cross over to California then to hear from a financial advisor, Daniele Beasley about her own Board Roles and her views on diversity initiatives from her vantage point. She has built a career of service focused on giving, and encourages us to do the same. Susan Martin is also a “giver” and as a change consultant is frequently called up to bring institutions through periods of transformational change. She describes the role of a Non-Executive Director as akin to a coach or a mentor, something that is more essential than ever now given the volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) circumstances that we are living with today.   Our final guest Henry Tapper, dives into a subject that has been a lifelong passion for him – pensions transparency and equity.  Given that many Board and Trustee roles cover pensions we wanted to provide some insight into the themes of this area, such as the levels of choice available, the pensions gap between women and men and the future evolution of this area.  Her portfolio career includes a consulting role for pensions for purpose, coaching and strategic advice to firms, a chair role of future fit limited and roles as a charity trustee and director. It is clear that there is massive change ahead in the world of pensions – an area that will be relevant to all of us, but equally where many directors and trustees will find themselves in fiduciary positions.  I hope you found some food for thought here in this episode of FIftyfaces focus – The Next Chapter. Follow us on Linked In, Twitter, apple podcasts, spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

This podcast series was made possible by the kind support of Darwin Alternatives.

Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited offers innovative, alpha-driven investment solutions that are uncorrelated with traditional asset classes and feature business areas which have not previously been considered by investment funds. The firm aims to create new opportunities for investors to further diversify their portfolios and achieve stable absolute returns.

In our second podcast of our Fiftyfaces Focus Next Chapter Series we hear from four more seasoned voices who are all pursuing a rich and diverse set of roles.  First we meet with Margaret Casely Hayford, CBE, Chancellor of Coventry University, Special Trustee at Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity and Chair at Shakespeare’s Globe, among other board roles.  She talks about the steep learning curve in gaining familiarity with the mission and purpose of each organization as well as the importance of learning to listen and for a Board to be a supportive Board.  We speak also about the current levels of Board Diversity and the pace of change. William Bourne is an independent adviser to a number of LGPS pension funds and also chairs pension boards as well as being the founder of his own firm Linchpin, which provides advice on investments and governance to institutional investors. He shares his views on the importance of bringing about better decision making as a board member, as well as the role of a Chair to ensure that all voices are heard and that meetings stay on course.  We then cross the Atlantic to meet with Sandra Urie, Chairman Emeritus of Cambridge Associates, and the holder of a range of investment committee and Board roles.  She shares her views on the ideal size of an investment committee, and the importance of instilling an institutional quality process. We speak about the importance of good governance, sticking with the appropriate time horizon and about how the role changes through good and bad market environments.  Finally we hear from Julian Tregoning.  Julian, like William, is another familiar face in the City of London, and he has throughout his career held many board roles in positions that sit “outside the envelope” of his City career.  This is the ideal place to cut one’s teeth in his view.  So following your passion and interests, learning to think like a fiduciary, build a process and listening deeply, some tips from our seasoned board and committee members on this episode.  Thank you for listening to the Fiftyfaces focus Next Chapter podcast.  I hope you have enjoyed listening to these tips for the next chapter. Follow us on Linked In, Twitter, apple podcasts, spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

This podcast series was made possible by the kind support of Darwin Alternatives.

Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited offers innovative, alpha-driven investment solutions that are uncorrelated with traditional asset classes and feature business areas which have not previously been considered by investment funds. The firm aims to create new opportunities for investors to further diversify their portfolios and achieve stable absolute returns.

In this inaugural "next chapter" podcast episode, we hear from four extraordinary leaders in investment management circles - each pathbreakers in their own right, and each of whom is dedicating this current chapter of their career to a portfolio of Board and other roles.

Many executives enter a portfolio or "plural" career once they finish up a traditional executive role, but there is a distinct lack of guidance as to what it is that makes a good director or investment committee member, and particular a good chair.  We hear from these experts about the benefit of perspective, the mantra of "eyes on, hands off", the role of providing counsel to executives and to contributing to the efficacy of a Board. 

We hear what it is to coach and nurture the next generation of leaders, and why helping to shape diversity on Boards is an important way of bringing about lasting change.  We hear about the importance of an organization's mission, how a good chair will draw out the optimal contributions of everyone around a table, keep time and bring about effective decision-making.

This podcast series was made possible by the kind support of Darwin Alternatives.

Darwin Alternative Investment Management Limited offers innovative, alpha-driven investment solutions that are uncorrelated with traditional asset classes and feature business areas which have not previously been considered by investment funds. The firm aims to create new opportunities for investors to further diversify their portfolios and achieve stable absolute returns.