The Boardroom Path

Is your board truly equipped for effective governance, or are you just checking a box?

In this insightful episode, host Ralph Grayson speaks with Erika Eliasson-Norris, Founder & CEO of Beyond Governance and author of The Secret Diary of a Company Secretary, to lift the lid on the guarded realities of boardroom life.

Erika, who also serves as the Governance Assessor to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, argues that corporate failure rarely stems from a single event; instead, it's rooted in a culture that undermines governance structures. The conversation explores the pivotal role of the Company Secretary as the quiet conscience of the company, moving beyond a simple legal function to become an editor of focus for the board. 

They also discuss emerging challenges, like AI in the boardroom, and the need for boards to bridge the 'Agility Gap'—the tendency to be structured for caution over adaptability. 

• (00:00) - Welcome to The Boardroom Path

Erika Eliasson-Norris: Founder and CEO of Beyond Governance, a consultancy that helps organisations use governance as a strategic advantage. She is the youngest-ever governance executive appointed to a FTSE 250 company, a recognised 'Governance Professional of the Year', and serves as the sole Governance Assessor for the Post Office Horizon IT Public Inquiry. She is also the author of The Secret Diary of a Company Secretary.

Ralph Grayson: Ralph Grayson is a Partner in the Board Practice at Sainty Hird & Partners, bringing extensive experience in board-level recruitment, assessment, and advisory services. With a deep understanding of the corporate governance landscape, Ralph specialises in guiding senior executives as they transition into impactful boardroom careers. His thoughtful approach, combined with a passion for developing effective leaders, enables him to facilitate insightful conversations that equip aspiring and newly appointed Non-Executive Directors with the tools they need to succeed. Through The Boardroom Path, Ralph leverages his extensive professional network and expertise to empower listeners on their journey into the boardroom.

Episode Insights:

• Governance has evolved from a box-ticking exercise to encompass culture, behaviours, ESG integration, and a focus on cognitive diversity.
• The root cause of any corporate scandal or collapse can typically be traced back to the organisation's corporate governance.
• A Company Secretary's value is in being an "editor of focus," ensuring papers link data to strategy and risk, rather than simply being a scribe of the meeting.
• The danger of the 'Agility Gap': many boards are structured for caution, but what they truly need is the adaptability to make timely, informed decisions.
• AI presents an opportunity for faster data analysis, but boards must mitigate the risks of embedded bias and over-reliance that could undermine independent human judgment.

Action Points:

1. Reframe the Company Secretary Role: Stop viewing the Company Secretary solely as a legal or compliance function. Recognise them as an essential strategic advisor with a broad, objective view across the entire organisation, positioned to ask the hard questions and hold the 'red lines'. Engage with them proactively for advice on board dynamics and reporting focus, not just process.
2. Audit Your Board Pack for Focus: Assess your board meeting papers to ensure they focus on impact and link data directly to strategy and risk, not just operational detail. Work with your governance professional to cut noise and consolidate information so directors focus on key decisions, risk, and opportunities lost.
3. Challenge Groupthink and Complacency: Actively foster a board culture where individuals feel comfortable speaking "truth to power" and raising problems without fear. Understand that corporate failure is often the result of small, unchecked oversights and poor decisions left unchallenged, which demands vigilance and cognitive diversity.
4. Address the 'Agility Gap': Review your governance frameworks to ensure they support timely, informed decision-making, rather than creating unnecessary bureaucracy structured only for caution. Erika suggests scenario planning to work out what to do before things go wrong, allowing for faster, more confident action when they do.
5. Understand the AI Risk Balance: Recognise AI's potential for efficiency and faster insights, but define a clear set of principles around its use to ensure transparency and accountability. Guard against over-reliance, which can lead to a decline in independent judgment and introduce embedded bias into key decisions.

The Boardroom Path is the essential podcast for aspiring and newly appointed Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) navigating the journey from executive leadership to the boardroom. Hosted by Ralph Grayson, partner at Sainty Hird & Partners, each episode offers insightful conversations with industry leaders, seasoned board directors, and governance experts. Our guests share practical strategies, valuable perspectives, and actionable advice on how to effectively transition into board roles, maximise your impact, and build a rewarding NED career. 

Subscribe now, and take your first confident step along The Boardroom Path.

Learn more about Sainty Hird & Partners at saintyhird.com.

The Boardroom Path is produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford, UK. 

Is the UK public market truly a dinosaur, or is it on the cusp of a major renewal?

In this essential episode for aspiring and newly appointed Non-Executive Directors, host Ralph Grayson is joined by Charles Hall, Head of Research at Peel Hunt. Charles, a leading voice in the market reform debate, delivers a candid and incisive analysis of the forces shaping UK capital markets, critiquing the "erosion of public listings" and the over-reliance on private capital.

He argues passionately that public markets are a "public good" that pay more tax and offer "permanent capital". They dissect structural challenges like the growth of passive investment and explore the crucial policy changes needed in pension fund allocation to keep successful, high-growth UK companies listing at home. Despite a recent "shift in sentiment" and strengthening IPO pipeline for 2026, Charles warns the UK cannot be complacent in the fight to retain its leading businesses, noting the "fundamental flaw" that sees the UK export over £1 billion every year in pension capital overseas.

This is a must-listen for board members seeking strategic insights on investor engagement, valuations, and the UK’s global competitive position.

• (00:00) - Welcome to The Boardroom Path

Charles Hall: Head of Research and an experienced Consumer sector analyst at Peel Hunt, one of the UK's leading investment banks. He leads an operation covering over 400 UK small and mid-cap stocks and is a widely recognised advocate for the revitalisation of UK capital markets and pension reform. He was the top-ranked analyst in the UK Mid & Small cap market overall in the 2021 Institutional Investor (Extel) Survey for the fifth consecutive year.

Ralph Grayson: Ralph Grayson is a Partner in the Board Practice at Sainty Hird & Partners, bringing extensive experience in board-level recruitment, assessment, and advisory services. With a deep understanding of the corporate governance landscape, Ralph specialises in guiding senior executives as they transition into impactful boardroom careers. His thoughtful approach, combined with a passion for developing effective leaders, enables him to facilitate insightful conversations that equip aspiring and newly appointed Non-Executive Directors with the tools they need to succeed. Through The Boardroom Path, Ralph leverages his extensive professional network and expertise to empower listeners on their journey into the boardroom.

Episode Insights:

• Analysts possess a deep, privileged pool of knowledge on strategy, competitors, and disruptive technology that boards should tap into, going beyond mere share price maximisation.
• Public markets are fundamentally beneficial for the UK economy because listed companies pay more tax (corporation tax, dividends, stamp duty) and are held to a high degree of honesty and accountability.
• A major structural problem is the extensive export of domestic capital via DC pension schemes, which invest predominantly in global, often US-listed, equities, starving growing UK companies of scale-up capital.
• Listing in the US is "definitively not nirvana"; for most UK companies, they would be "minnows" and would not automatically gain a higher valuation or access to passive fund flows.
• Public listing provides "permanent capital" that never has to be refinanced or repaid, enabling companies to take a long-term view unmatched by the cyclical nature of private markets.

Action Points:

1. Re-evaluate Investor Engagement Strategy: Boards should view their analysts and investors as critical partners who provide robust challenge and market-wide strategic insights, not just capital sources. Schedule formal sessions to tap into analyst knowledge on sector trends and competitor strategy beyond quarterly results.
2. Advocate for Domestic Capital: Engage with policymakers on the urgent need for pension reform that incentivises UK pension funds to allocate more capital domestically, as currently DC schemes allocate less than 5% to UK equities. Highlight why investing in UK growth companies is a "win-win-win" for pensioners, funds, and the UK economy.
3. Scrutinise Private Takeover Offers: When faced with an offer, look beyond the immediate valuation to the underlying cause: poor capital flows and market sentiment. Understand that reversing capital outflows would quickly improve domestic valuations and reduce the perceived "bargain" available to overseas acquirers.
4. Embrace Transparency for Trust: Recognise that the constant scrutiny and glare of publicity from analysts and journalists is a key strength of public markets, creating a "high degree of honesty". View this transparency as a vital governance strength that prevents systemic issues seen in less-scrutinised private entities, such as Thames Water.
5. Foster Entrepreneurial Culture: Work to create a culture where entrepreneurs feel it is a "privilege to be listed in the UK". Actively encourage successful founders to reinvest their wealth domestically in the next generation of UK growth companies, fostering a 'go again' mindset.

The Boardroom Path is the essential podcast for aspiring and newly appointed Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) navigating the journey from executive leadership to the boardroom. Hosted by Ralph Grayson, partner at Sainty Hird & Partners, each episode offers insightful conversations with industry leaders, seasoned board directors, and governance experts. Our guests share practical strategies, valuable perspectives, and actionable advice on how to effectively transition into board roles, maximise your impact, and build a rewarding NED career. 

Subscribe now, and take your first confident step along The Boardroom Path.

Learn more about Sainty Hird & Partners at saintyhird.com.

The Boardroom Path is produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford, UK. 

Is the UK truly "rubbish" at scaling up its most promising companies?

Host Ralph Grayson welcomes financial markets trailblazer Alasdair Haynes, founder and now President of Aquis Exchange, for an honest discussion on building and scaling a disruptive business. Alasdair shares his 48-year journey, from City trading floors to successfully exiting Aquis to SIX Group, and provides a firsthand account of the founder-to-President transition.

The conversation dissects the critical importance of board evolution and founder succession planning, emphasising that it must be for the "common good" of the company, not a mere "tick box exercise". They dive deep into the urgency of reforming the equity markets to make the IPO process more straightforward, cheaper, and faster for small, growth companies.

This push for public market revival is especially relevant as global IPO proceeds surged 89% year-over-year in Q3 2025, demonstrating renewed investor confidence worldwide. Alasdair introduces his "three stages of company growth" model and passionately argues for a governance structure that is proportionate, allowing entrepreneurs to focus 90% of their time on building the business.

• (00:00) - Introduction to The Boardroom Path

Ralph Grayson: Ralph Grayson is a Partner in the Board Practice at Sainty Hird & Partners, bringing extensive experience in board-level recruitment, assessment, and advisory services. With a deep understanding of the corporate governance landscape, Ralph specialises in guiding senior executives as they transition into impactful boardroom careers. His thoughtful approach, combined with a passion for developing effective leaders, enables him to facilitate insightful conversations that equip aspiring and newly appointed Non-Executive Directors with the tools they need to succeed. Through The Boardroom Path, Ralph leverages his extensive professional network and expertise to empower listeners on their journey into the boardroom.

Episode Insights:

• The essential differences between the board needed for a startup, an IPO, a scale-up, and an acquisition.
• Why founder-CEO succession is never a tick-box exercise and the two critical reasons a plan is always necessary.
• How to use psychometric analysis (EQ/IQ) and communication methods to build a stronger board-to-executive relationship.
• Alasdair Haynes’ 'three school' model for companies and how it applies to the proportionality of governance for different growth stages.
• The core challenges of the UK’s scale-up capital market and the need for radical change to make IPOs easier and cheaper.

Action Points:

1. Evaluate Your Board's Stage-Fit: Review your current board's composition against your company's immediate strategic phase (e.g., startup, scale-up, exit). If your board hasn't evolved with the business, plan a change to ensure you have directors with the necessary expertise, such as acquisition experience for an exit.
2. Implement Proportionate Governance: Challenge the idea that one size fits all for governance. If you are a small company, ensure your governance structure is proportionate to your size and allows management to focus most of their time on the core business rather than excessive compliance reporting.
3. Prioritise the CEO-Chair Relationship: As a founder or CEO, dedicate time to fostering a relationship of deep respect and support with your Chair. This relationship is critical to the company's success; if it breaks down, the company will face significant issues.

The Boardroom Path is the essential podcast for aspiring and newly appointed Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) navigating the journey from executive leadership to the boardroom. Hosted by Ralph Grayson, partner at Sainty Hird & Partners, each episode offers insightful conversations with industry leaders, seasoned board directors, and governance experts. Our guests share practical strategies, valuable perspectives, and actionable advice on how to effectively transition into board roles, maximise your impact, and build a rewarding NED career. 

Subscribe now, and take your first confident step along The Boardroom Path.

Learn more about Sainty Hird & Partners at saintyhird.com.

The Boardroom Path is produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford, UK. 

Do you struggle to articulate your value in the boardroom, or feel trapped in the 'executive doer' mindset? Host Ralph Grayson is joined by Fiona Hathorn, CEO of WB Directors (now part of Nurole) and an expert in Governance and Talent Management, to dissect the challenges and strategies for building a thriving Non-Executive Director (NED) career. Fiona shares her personal journey and the mission behind WB Directors, emphasising that you are "never too young, never too old, and never too male" to be on a board.

The discussion provides tactical advice, from using the 'seven reasons' to be on a board to understanding the core NED functions of conformance and performance. Critically, Fiona highlights the current board landscape undergoing significant transformation, driven by technology and geopolitical risk. For instance, a recent NACD survey reports that 67% of boards are now actively seeking individuals with specific domain expertise, such as AI or data ethics, rather than just a generalist background. 

Learn how to elevate your pitch beyond your executive CV, master the art of constructive challenge, and build the right network to secure your seat at the table.

• (00:00) - Introduction to The Boardroom Path

Fiona Hathorn: Fiona is the CEO of WB Directors (formerly Women on Boards UK), now part of Nurole, a purpose-led business dedicated to increasing diversity in executive and non-executive leadership. An expert in Governance, Regulation, and Talent Management, she brings over a decade of experience from senior roles in asset management, having run global equities and emerging markets desks. She is also an advisor to Peel Hunt, Chair of the Nominations Committee at Hanx, and serves on the Advisory Board for the Global Institute for Women's Leadership at King's College London.

Ralph Grayson: Ralph Grayson is a Partner in the Board Practice at Sainty Hird & Partners, bringing extensive experience in board-level recruitment, assessment, and advisory services. With a deep understanding of the corporate governance landscape, Ralph specialises in guiding senior executives as they transition into impactful boardroom careers. His thoughtful approach, combined with a passion for developing effective leaders, enables him to facilitate insightful conversations that equip aspiring and newly appointed Non-Executive Directors with the tools they need to succeed. Through The Boardroom Path, Ralph leverages his extensive professional network and expertise to empower listeners on their journey into the boardroom.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The seven essential reasons a non-executive directorship is crucial for career development, viewing it as a mini-MBA.
• The critical mindset shift from being an executive ‘doer’ to an effective board ‘overseer’ who can scrutinise, challenge, support, and advise.
• How to build a board value proposition that goes beyond your executive CV by focusing on 'the so what'—the business benefit and outcome of your experience.
• Current boardroom priorities, including navigating the complexities of AI, geopolitical risk, and the leadership skill required to manage a diverse team in a VUCA environment.
• Tactical networking strategies, including the importance of developing a clear, third-person pitch, to access the 95% of board roles that are not transparently advertised.

Action Points:

1. Define Your Board Value Add: Stop describing your past job titles. Instead, unpack your executive career to identify specific stories where you added value to strategy, risk, or M&A situations. This process helps you create an intentional, compelling narrative that demonstrates your board value beyond operational execution.
2. Master the Helicopter View: The role of a non-executive director is to oversee and not to 'do'—the helicopter should not land. Practice viewing challenges from a strategic, high-level perspective. Focus your contributions on the four core non-executive functions: scrutinise, challenge, support, and advise.
3. Develop a Networking Strategy: Understand that 95% of board roles are not advertised and do not use headhunters. Create a spreadsheet of all former colleagues and connections and develop a proactive strategy to reconnect with them. This consistent, deliberate process is key to building visibility.
4. Focus on Deep Technical Skill and Breadth: While deep technical skill (your 'T') is the reason a board may hire you, your 'breadth and depth' allows you to contribute to problem-solving and ensures you know when to speak—and when not to. Know the difference and articulate both clearly in your pitch.
5. Conduct Thorough Due Diligence: Never be grateful for or accept the first board role that comes along. Conduct extremely thorough due diligence, as joining the wrong board that later fails can seriously damage your reputation. Ensure the board’s culture and strategy align with your values and expertise.

The Boardroom Path is the essential podcast for aspiring and newly appointed Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) navigating the journey from executive leadership to the boardroom. Hosted by Ralph Grayson, partner at Sainty Hird & Partners, each episode offers insightful conversations with industry leaders, seasoned board directors, and governance experts. Our guests share practical strategies, valuable perspectives, and actionable advice on how to effectively transition into board roles, maximise your impact, and build a rewarding NED career. 

Subscribe now, and take your first confident step along The Boardroom Path.

Learn more about Sainty Hird & Partners at saintyhird.com.

The Boardroom Path is produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford, UK. 

Is the UK market finally ready for an IPO resurgence, and what must growth company boards do to prepare? 

Host Ralph Grayson welcomes James Ashton, Chief Executive of the Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA), a leading advocacy group for small and mid-sized quoted companies in the UK. James draws on his background in financial journalism and as a FTSE 250 Non-Executive Director to discuss the critical role of public equity in driving economic growth across the UK. 

They dive into the QCA’s mission to amplify members’ voices to regulators and government, their comprehensive governance guidance, and the new QCA Director Growth Programme, designed to equip directors with the skills needed to thrive in a fast-changing environment. 

With recent reports showing that businesses embedding AI into their operations are twice as likely to see value, James and Ralph also touch on emerging boardroom risks like AI, as well as the push for greater investment in UK equities through policy reform. This episode is essential listening for any current or aspiring board member operating in the UK growth company ecosystem.

• (00:00) - Welcome to The Boardroom Path

James Ashton: Chief Executive of the Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA), the organisation that champions the interests of the UK’s small and mid-sized publicly traded businesses and their advisors. James is a seasoned professional who was formerly the City Editor of the Sunday Times and Evening Standard and currently serves as a Non-Executive Director for the FTSE 250 investment trust, Finsbury Growth & Income. His expertise lies in advocating for market reform, boosting liquidity, and promoting the value of a public quote for growth.

Ralph Grayson: Ralph Grayson is a Partner in the Board Practice at Sainty Hird & Partners, bringing extensive experience in board-level recruitment, assessment, and advisory services. With a deep understanding of the corporate governance landscape, Ralph specialises in guiding senior executives as they transition into impactful boardroom careers. His thoughtful approach, combined with a passion for developing effective leaders, enables him to facilitate insightful conversations that equip aspiring and newly appointed Non-Executive Directors with the tools they need to succeed. Through The Boardroom Path, Ralph leverages his extensive professional network and expertise to empower listeners on their journey into the boardroom.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why the Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA) is crucial for amplifying the voice of small and mid-cap public companies to regulators and government.
• The key components of the new QCA Director Growth Programme, including governance, legal responsibilities, and boardroom dynamics for high-growth firms.
• Current IPO sentiment in the City and what it would take to "light the IPO touch paper" this autumn.
• The fundamental difference between a FTSE 100 Non-Executive Director role and one at a small-cap growth company, where "sleeves are rolled up".
• QCA's legislative asks for the upcoming Budget, including the impact of stamp duty and ISA reform on UK equity markets.

Action Points:

1. Evaluate Your Code of Governance: Don't assume your company is a QCA member just because you follow the QCA Code. Review the latest version of the QCA Corporate Governance Code (refreshed in 2023) and consider incorporating its guidance for audit, remuneration, and nominations committees. This structured approach helps manage the "growing pains" associated with scaling a founder-led public company.
2. Reassess Your Role as a Growth NED: Understand that a small-company board role requires "adaptability" and a willingness to be pulled into operational matters. If the company lacks a dedicated marketing director, for example, your marketing experience may be co-opted for projects. Reflect on your willingness to operate closer to "ground level" rather than purely at "35,000 feet".
3. Amplify Your Company's Story: Recognise that a company's story, told through the perspective of its directors, is more credible with politicians and regulators. Translate abstract issues like low liquidity or poor valuations into real-world impacts, such as a factory not built or people not hired. Use your voice to directly support the QCA’s policy and lobbying efforts.
4. Factor in Geopolitical Risk: Acknowledge that small and mid-cap companies are not immune to global issues, even if their main quotes are in London. Ensure that geoeconomics and tariff impacts are explicitly high on your board’s risk register, as international trading is common, even for smaller firms. Use QCA contacts to benchmark and discuss these pressures with peers.
5. Invest in Boardroom Education: Consider joining a focused training course like the QCA Director Growth Programme to gain a comprehensive "toolkit for success". This course is designed specifically for the unique challenges of small and mid-cap boards on AIM, Aquis, and the Main Market. Investing in continuous professional development (CPD) is essential for effective constructive challenge and support.

The Boardroom Path is the essential podcast for aspiring and newly appointed Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) navigating the journey from executive leadership to the boardroom. Hosted by Ralph Grayson, partner at Sainty Hird & Partners, each episode offers insightful conversations with industry leaders, seasoned board directors, and governance experts. Our guests share practical strategies, valuable perspectives, and actionable advice on how to effectively transition into board roles, maximise your impact, and build a rewarding NED career. 

Subscribe now, and take your first confident step along The Boardroom Path.

Learn more about Sainty Hird & Partners at saintyhird.com.

The Boardroom Path is produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford, UK. 

How can board directors move beyond being overwhelmed by thousands of pages of materials and start genuinely driving performance? 

This episode features Raffaela Rein, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and multi-board director, who argues that the current state of governance is unsustainable. She draws on her journey from BlackRock and launching companies for Rocket Internet to her roles on boards, including Porsche and IU, to highlight the critical gap in director support.

Raffaela details the board effectiveness crisis, noting that, according to a recent PwC survey, over half of directors believe a colleague should be replaced, signalling board underperformance is at a breaking point. To solve this, she unveils BoardLens, her new AI-driven tool designed to act as a "personal Goldman Sachs analyst" for directors and investors. 

She explains how AI can synthesise complex board packs, flag narrative changes and discrepancies, and provide strategic memory across an entire investment portfolio, shifting the focus from mere compliance to performance-driven value creation. Discover why leading with an entrepreneurial mindset is the key to navigating the accelerating AI and sustainability transformations in the boardroom.

• (00:00) - Welcome to The Boardroom Path

Raffaela Rein: A renowned tech entrepreneur and board director who has built a career at the intersection of innovation and emerging technologies. She is the Founder of BoardLens, an AI tool created to enhance board effectiveness and drive performance. She also founded CareerFoundry and WildWildVentures and currently serves on multiple boards, including the Porsche Sustainability Board, Private Equity Mutares, and the tech unicorn IU. She has also been recognised by Forbes as a Top Woman in Tech.

Ralph Grayson: Ralph Grayson is a Partner in the Board Practice at Sainty Hird & Partners, bringing extensive experience in board-level recruitment, assessment, and advisory services. With a deep understanding of the corporate governance landscape, Ralph specialises in guiding senior executives as they transition into impactful boardroom careers. His thoughtful approach, combined with a passion for developing effective leaders, enables him to facilitate insightful conversations that equip aspiring and newly appointed Non-Executive Directors with the tools they need to succeed. Through The Boardroom Path, Ralph leverages his extensive professional network and expertise to empower listeners on their journey into the boardroom.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why the sheer volume of board preparation material (up to 2,000 pages) makes effective director oversight almost impossible.
• The fundamental difference between the Anglo-Saxon and German dual governance system, and how this affects CEO control and board oversight.
• How Raffaela’s new AI-powered solution, BoardLens, functions as a strategic analyst to flag risks and inconsistencies across board data.
• Why investors (PE/VC) serving on multiple boards are the primary clients for AI governance tools due to the complexity of portfolio oversight.
• The critical debate around AI replacing NEDs: the issues of liability, the need for human judgment, and the potential for greater diversity of thought.

Action Points:

1. Audit Your Board’s Effectiveness: Take an honest look at your current board’s composition, performance, and contribution to strategy. Start an internal discussion about the high percentage of directors who feel colleagues should be replaced and identify where your board lacks expertise to meet current business needs. Focus on encouraging candid feedback loops to improve individual and collective performance.
2. Lead the AI Transformation from the Top: Recognise that AI adoption must be driven by example, starting with the executive team and board. Actively use enterprise-secure AI tools in your workflow and identify internal “champions” who are excited about testing and implementing AI to drive effectiveness and innovation. Use this leadership to set the cultural tone for responsible AI use.
3. Prioritise Performance Over Compliance: Re-evaluate your board's agenda to ensure the majority of time is spent on solving high-value, hard strategic questions rather than just regulatory compliance. Use AI tools to automate the time-consuming preparation and compliance work, freeing up human directors to apply their judgment and experience to complex problems.
4. Establish a Strategic Memory System: For investment funds and companies with high board turnover, implement a systematic method (like an AI platform) to store and track knowledge from past board discussions. This allows the firm to leverage collective experience on recurring challenges like incentivisation or growth phases, avoiding the recurring cost and delay of external consultants.
5. Address the Knowledge Gap: Given that two-thirds of executives and directors report limited AI knowledge, proactively seek external upskilling opportunities or consider adding board members with deeper AI expertise. An improved “AI IQ” is necessary for directors to ask the informed, strategic questions needed to effectively oversee AI’s impact on strategy, risk, and talent.

The Boardroom Path is the essential podcast for aspiring and newly appointed Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) navigating the journey from executive leadership to the boardroom. Hosted by Ralph Grayson, partner at Sainty Hird & Partners, each episode offers insightful conversations with industry leaders, seasoned board directors, and governance experts. Our guests share practical strategies, valuable perspectives, and actionable advice on how to effectively transition into board roles, maximise your impact, and build a rewarding NED career. 

Subscribe now, and take your first confident step along The Boardroom Path.

Learn more about Sainty Hird & Partners at saintyhird.com.

The Boardroom Path is produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford, UK. 

Are you struggling to bridge the gap between an executive role and securing your first Non-Executive Director position?

In this episode, host Ralph Grayson welcomes Susanne Chishti, Founder and Chair of FINTECH Circle and a seasoned board member on both private and FTSE 250 boards, to explore how high-calibre professionals can leverage their expertise for the benefit of early-stage companies. Susanne details the contrasting, yet complementary, demands of board service, from the hands-on, problem-solving required by a start-up founder to the governance-focused oversight of a public company.

The discussion provides vital counsel for aspiring NEDs, highlighting the crucial skills founders need, such as B2B sales, enterprise technology, and investment network access. They also delve into the strategic and ethical challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence, particularly its ESG impact. For example, a recent report from Deloitte shows that the power demand from AI data centres in the US could grow more than thirtyfold by 2035, underscoring the board's immediate responsibility to understand and manage technology's footprint.

Susanne also stresses the non-technical skills required in the boardroom: emotional intelligence, a lack of ego, and a commitment to being a supportive team player. This episode is essential for anyone looking to make an effective, value-driven transition into a board career.

• (00:00) - Introduction to The Boardroom Path

Susanne Chishti: Founder and Chair of FINTECH Circle, Europe's number one investor network for FinTech investment and innovation. She is an award-winning entrepreneur, investor, and FTSE board member, serving as a Non-Executive Director at Crown Agents Bank and CMC Markets PLC. Recognised among the Top 100 Women in FinTech Globally for 2024, Susanne chairs the ESG Sub-Committee at Crown Agents Bank and is the co-editor of the bestselling FINTECH Book Series. She brings deep expertise in technology, scaling businesses, and investment to the boardroom.

Ralph Grayson: Ralph Grayson is a Partner in the Board Practice at Sainty Hird & Partners, bringing extensive experience in board-level recruitment, assessment, and advisory services. With a deep understanding of the corporate governance landscape, Ralph specialises in guiding senior executives as they transition into impactful boardroom careers. His thoughtful approach, combined with a passion for developing effective leaders, enables him to facilitate insightful conversations that equip aspiring and newly appointed Non-Executive Directors with the tools they need to succeed. Through The Boardroom Path, Ralph leverages his extensive professional network and expertise to empower listeners on their journey into the boardroom.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The fundamental difference in responsibility and required skills between private scale-up boards and public company boards.
• How aspiring NEDs can gain essential ‘scar tissue’ experience by working with incubators or accelerators.
• The three non-negotiable areas of expertise (sales, technology, and fundraising) that FinTech founders urgently need from board advisors.
• The importance of 'emotional intelligence' and a 'growth mindset' for successful collaboration between founders and board members.
• Why a board's AI strategy must include an assessment of its ethical and environmental (ESG) consequences.

Action Points:

1. Evaluate Your Value-Add: Start by identifying your deep domain expertise—B2B sales, CTO-level tech skills, or investor network access—as these are the most valuable to early-stage founders. Frame your board path around how you will open doors for customers, investors, or help scale their technology platform. 
2. Cultivate Pattern Recognition: Seek out opportunities to work with early-stage companies, perhaps through an accelerator, to witness common startup challenges (e.g., cashflow crises, co-founder disputes) and how experienced advisors navigate them. This exposure builds the crucial 'pattern recognition' that helps you offer proactive, timely advice in the future. 
3. Master Boardroom Behaviour: Recognise that the boardroom requires a shift from overt executive leadership to influence, collective decision-making, and emotional intelligence. Focus on asking the right, sometimes basic, questions and communicating complex topics (like quantum computing or AI) in a simple, non-threatening way. 
4. Develop an AI/ESG Mindset: Make it mandatory to learn, play around with, and understand AI, as investors are now demanding a clear AI strategy from companies. Critically, ensure you understand the environmental cost of AI (e.g., data centre power demand) to challenge leadership teams on their ethical and ESG accountability. 
5. Prepare for the Chief Everything Officer (CEO) Role: If you are a founder, be honest about your ceiling of capability and enjoyment across the growth stages (0-1M ARR vs. 1-10M ARR). Be self-aware enough to bring in an external CEO to scale the business when required, transitioning yourself to a board member role to maximise shareholder wealth.

The Boardroom Path is the essential podcast for aspiring and newly appointed Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) navigating the journey from executive leadership to the boardroom. Hosted by Ralph Grayson, partner at Sainty Hird & Partners, each episode offers insightful conversations with industry leaders, seasoned board directors, and governance experts. Our guests share practical strategies, valuable perspectives, and actionable advice on how to effectively transition into board roles, maximise your impact, and build a rewarding NED career. 

Subscribe now, and take your first confident step along The Boardroom Path.

Learn more about Sainty Hird & Partners at saintyhird.com.

The Boardroom Path is produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford, UK. 

Are boards truly prepared for today's hyper-volatile geopolitical landscape? 

In this episode of The Boardroom Path, host Ralph Grayson speaks with Charles Myers, Chairman and Founder of Signum Global Advisors, a distinguished geopolitical strategist. They delve into the complexities of a Trump 2.0 presidency, the fragmentation of global alliances, and the need for boards to treat geopolitical risk with the same seriousness as financial or cyber risk. 

This comes as the US and UK have recently announced a historic £150 billion investment package, signalling a renewed "special relationship" between the two nations, even as the Trump administration is reported to be waging a "culture war" on Europe. 

Charles offers actionable advice for UK and European boards on how to engage with the US administration and Democratic leadership, while also dissecting the political dynamics in the UK, from the rise of Reform UK to the challenges facing the current government. This conversation challenges conventional thinking and provides a strategic roadmap for boards and executives to lead effectively in an era of unprecedented global uncertainty.

• (00:00) - Welcome to The Boardroom Path

Charles Myers: The Chairman and Founder of Signum Global Advisors, a distinguished geopolitical strategist who bridges the worlds of global finance and high-stakes politics. Formerly the Vice Chairman of Evercore ISI and Global Head of Equities at Fox-Pitt Kelton, he provides strategic foresight to boards of major global companies.

Ralph Grayson: Ralph Grayson is a Partner in the Board Practice at Sainty Hird & Partners, bringing extensive experience in board-level recruitment, assessment, and advisory services. With a deep understanding of the corporate governance landscape, Ralph specialises in guiding senior executives as they transition into impactful boardroom careers. His thoughtful approach, combined with a passion for developing effective leaders, enables him to facilitate insightful conversations that equip aspiring and newly appointed Non-Executive Directors with the tools they need to succeed. Through The Boardroom Path, Ralph leverages his extensive professional network and expertise to empower listeners on their journey into the boardroom.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why the US-EU relationship is at a 20-year low and how this affects trade and defence policies.
• How UK boards can leverage their unique post-Brexit position to engage with both the US and the EU for strategic advantage.
• The essential steps for corporate C-suites and boards to effectively market their value and navigate a US administration that values personal loyalty and investment.
• The Trump administration is reportedly waging a "culture war" on Europe, promoting its political allies and humiliating the EU on the world stage.
• The surprising reason why Charles Myers is praying for President Trump to live, and what a JD Vance presidency could mean for global affairs.

Action Points:

1. Plan for a Multipolar World: Boards should proactively recognise and plan for the new global order, characterised by two main trading blocks. Accept that structural changes are here to stay, as evidenced by US industrial policy and protectionist tariffs, which will likely persist even with a new administration. Focus on securing supply chains and diversifying operations to build resilience against geopolitical fragmentation.
2. Prioritise Geopolitical Expertise on the Board: Treat geopolitical risk as a standing board agenda item, similar to cyber risk. Consider strengthening your board's expertise by appointing members with backgrounds in national security, energy, or logistics. This will help your organisation with scenario planning and avoiding groupthink based on old models of globalisation.
3. Engage with Political Stakeholders: UK boards should be more politically engaged than ever, even if it's not a strong tradition. This means engaging with the leaders of all major political parties, including Labour, the Conservatives, and Reform UK. Engaging now is a critical step for preparing for potential future shifts in government and policy. This is especially true as Reform UK continues to gain momentum with a platform that has worked well in the US.

The Boardroom Path is the essential podcast for aspiring and newly appointed Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) navigating the journey from executive leadership to the boardroom. Hosted by Ralph Grayson, partner at Sainty Hird & Partners, each episode offers insightful conversations with industry leaders, seasoned board directors, and governance experts. Our guests share practical strategies, valuable perspectives, and actionable advice on how to effectively transition into board roles, maximise your impact, and build a rewarding NED career. 

Subscribe now, and take your first confident step along The Boardroom Path.

Learn more about Sainty Hird & Partners at saintyhird.com.

The Boardroom Path is produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford, UK. 

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a truly effective board director in today’s rapidly changing world? In this episode of The Boardroom Path, host Ralph Grayson sits down with Dr. Scarlett Brown, Director of the Think Tank at Board Intelligence. They dive into the critical shifts happening in corporate governance, from the rise of AI to the need for boards to drive more value.

Scarlett shares her unique journey from feminist sociologist to "corporate governance nerd" and explains why she believes board effectiveness is a science, not an art. The conversation uncovers sobering statistics from the Board Value Index, revealing why many directors feel they aren't adding enough value.

You’ll hear actionable insights on how to unblock barriers to effectiveness, including making board information more consistent and using technology to drive better conversations. They also explore the importance of building trust, embracing innovation, and encouraging a new generation of diverse, T-shaped directors.

• (00:00) - Welcome to The Boardroom Path

Dr. Scarlett Brown: Director of the Think Tank at Board Intelligence, Europe's largest board technology and advisory firm. She specialises in corporate governance, board effectiveness, and the impact of technology on boards. Dr. Brown is a recognised expert and author of Gender and Corporate Boards: The Route to a Seat at the Table.

Ralph Grayson: Ralph Grayson is a Partner in the Board Practice at Sainty Hird & Partners, bringing extensive experience in board-level recruitment, assessment, and advisory services. With a deep understanding of the corporate governance landscape, Ralph specialises in guiding senior executives as they transition into impactful boardroom careers. His thoughtful approach, combined with a passion for developing effective leaders, enables him to facilitate insightful conversations that equip aspiring and newly appointed Non-Executive Directors with the tools they need to succeed. Through The Boardroom Path, Ralph leverages his extensive professional network and expertise to empower listeners on their journey into the boardroom.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why board effectiveness is increasingly seen as a science and not an art.
• The surprising statistics from the Board Value Index on why board members feel they are not adding enough value.
• How to improve board information and processes to move beyond backward-looking conversations.
• The two key areas where AI is impacting corporate governance and how to use it to your advantage.
• Practical ways boards can foster psychological safety and encourage innovation.

Action Points:

1. Improve Board Information: Make sure all board information is provided a full week before the meeting. Standardise reports with executive summaries and cover sheets to ensure consistency and clarity. This practice helps board members focus on strategic discussions rather than wading through lengthy, unstructured documents.
2. Foster a Culture of Dialogue: Encourage a question-and-answer format for all board information and save board meeting time for dialogue and debate. This approach shifts the dynamic from a one-way approval process to an engaging, collaborative conversation. It is essential for building trust and a healthier relationship between executives and non-executives.
3. Engage Directly with the Organisation: Board members should regularly visit the organisation they serve, listening to front-line employees and engaging with stakeholders. Dr. Brown describes this as avoiding a “Charles and Diana visit” to build trust and break down the barrier between the board and the rest of the business. This hands-on approach helps directors stay connected and make better decisions.

The Boardroom Path is the essential podcast for aspiring and newly appointed Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) navigating the journey from executive leadership to the boardroom. Hosted by Ralph Grayson, partner at Sainty Hird & Partners, each episode offers insightful conversations with industry leaders, seasoned board directors, and governance experts. Our guests share practical strategies, valuable perspectives, and actionable advice on how to effectively transition into board roles, maximise your impact, and build a rewarding NED career. 

Subscribe now, and take your first confident step along The Boardroom Path.

Learn more about Sainty Hird & Partners at saintyhird.com.

The Boardroom Path is produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford, UK. 

Have you ever wondered how to land your first non-executive director  role? 

In this episode of The Boardroom Path, host Ralph Grayson is joined by Sarah Pierman, the CEO of Dynamic Boards. A NED herself since the age of 29, Sarah shares her fascinating journey from a career in finance to disrupting the board recruitment industry. She explains how the traditional NED market is "broken" by nepotism and expensive, exclusive platforms, and reveals her vision for making UK boards the most dynamic in the world.

Sarah breaks down the different types of board roles—from public companies to startups and charities—and offers practical advice on how aspiring NEDs can find their ideal fit. She provides key insights on demonstrating "board readiness" and how to craft a value proposition that goes beyond a standard executive CV. 

Listen in to discover how to navigate the NED landscape and become a thoughtful, effective, and empowered board member.

• (00:00) - Welcome to The Boardroom Path

Sarah Pierman: Sarah is the CEO of Dynamic Boards, a data-led advertising platform she launched in 2020 to make it easy and free for people to find and apply for NED roles. She became a non-executive director at 29 and has served on the boards of a specialist bank, a home care franchise, and a banking software provider.

Ralph Grayson: Ralph Grayson is a Partner in the Board Practice at Sainty Hird & Partners, bringing extensive experience in board-level recruitment, assessment, and advisory services. With a deep understanding of the corporate governance landscape, Ralph specialises in guiding senior executives as they transition into impactful boardroom careers. His thoughtful approach, combined with a passion for developing effective leaders, enables him to facilitate insightful conversations that equip aspiring and newly appointed Non-Executive Directors with the tools they need to succeed. Through The Boardroom Path, Ralph leverages his extensive professional network and expertise to empower listeners on their journey into the boardroom.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why the traditional non-executive director (NED) market is "broken" and how Dynamic Boards is fixing it by offering free, open access to board vacancies.
• The difference between working with a search firm and an advertising platform like Dynamic Boards and how they help organisations find new talent pools.
• How to determine if you are "board ready" by understanding the key traits of an effective non-executive director, like being able to stand back and see the bigger picture.
• The crucial importance of getting a mix of diverse skills, ages, and backgrounds on a board to drive business growth and innovation.
• Practical tips for aspiring NEDs on how to think about their board value proposition and what to look for when choosing a board to join.

Action Points:

1. Assess Your Board Readiness: Before you start applying for NED roles, take time to evaluate your skills and experience. Ask yourself if you can stand back and see the bigger picture and if you are comfortable with high-level strategic decisions. Your value proposition isn't just about your executive career; it's about demonstrating integrity, wisdom, and the ability to work hard for the board.
2. Don't Be Afraid to Challenge: When you're in a board meeting, don't be afraid to ask questions, even if you think they might seem "dumb". Sarah Pierman notes that if you are thinking it, it's likely others are too. This shows that you are an engaged and thoughtful non-executive director.
3. Build Your Board-Ready CV: Your executive CV is not a non-executive CV. Make sure you curate your experience to highlight your exposure to top-level decision-making and strategic thinking. Include any advisory or steering group experience to demonstrate your comfort in a boardroom setting.
4. Look Beyond the Job Spec: When you're searching for roles, don't take the job advert as "gospel". Do your own research on the board's existing members and look for where you can add value or fill a skill gap. This proactive approach shows you have the critical-thinking skills needed for a board role.
5. Network and Learn: Connect with other non-executive directors in your network and learn from their experiences. Sarah Pierman also recommends using resources like podcasts and videos from communities like Dynamic Boards to understand the role and decide if it's the right fit for you.

The Boardroom Path is the essential podcast for aspiring and newly appointed Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) navigating the journey from executive leadership to the boardroom. Hosted by Ralph Grayson, partner at Sainty Hird & Partners, each episode offers insightful conversations with industry leaders, seasoned board directors, and governance experts. Our guests share practical strategies, valuable perspectives, and actionable advice on how to effectively transition into board roles, maximise your impact, and build a rewarding NED career. 

Subscribe now, and take your first confident step along The Boardroom Path.

Learn more about Sainty Hird & Partners at saintyhird.com.

The Boardroom Path is produced by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford, UK.