
Leading the board is designed to support those who are new to leading, or aspire to lead, a governing body (or committee) of a higher education institution. This event is delivered online with a focus on many of the current challenges of leading a board, including during a time of crisis such as the current COVID 19 situation.
Delivered with the support of the CUC – the membership body for Chairs of higher education institutions - the event will provide an opportunity to discuss and examine the role of the Chair in leading the board and the importance of creating a boardroom culture which enables effective governance, enabling attendees to develop confidence, skills and knowledge.
Ready to book?
Our next Leading the Board event is taking place online:
14 April 2021
Who is the event for?
This online event is designed to support those who lead, or aspire to lead, a governing body. The Chair is responsible for the leadership of the governing body or sub-committee and ensuring it operates effectively and efficiently. Those who take on the responsibility play a central role in establishing the culture by which the governing body operates and the extent to which openness and debate at its meetings is encouraged.

Programme
The event will explore:
- The role of the chair in leading the board.
- The culture of the boardroom and how to encourage openness and debate.
- How to encourage and manage the participation of all governors.
- The importance of balancing the agenda and ensuring governors receive adequate and timely information to inform their decision-making.
- Managing relationships with the head of institution, deputy/vice-chair, committee chairs, governors and clerk or secretary.
- Recruiting a head of institution and new governors.
- Appraising governors.
- Dealing with difficult issues.
- How you know if the governing body is effective.
Agenda
09.15 Welcome and setting up the day – Aaron Porter, Associate Director Governance, Advance HE & Chair, BPP University & Governor, Goldsmiths University of London
09.30 The HE policy and finance landscape – a stock take with Q&A – Nick Hillman, Director, HEPI
10.10 Comfort break
10.30 Panel discussion: Governing well with and beyond Covid-19 – reflections on board leadership
Aaron Porter, Associate Director Governance, Advance HE
Anulika Ajufo, Chair, University of East London
Tony Strike, University Secretary, University of Sheffield
11.30 Board culture, leadership and accountability – what the theory tells us
Jan Juillerat, Associate Governance, Advance HE
12.00 Lunch Break
12:30 Understanding Governing Body Effectiveness in practice
Victoria Holbrook, Assistant Director Governance, Advance HE
Aaron Porter, Associate Director Governance, Advance HE
13.00 Breakout sessions
13.45 Final reflections and closing remarks
