To achieve effective governance, Chris Sayers highlights the importance of a governing body’s emotional intelligence. This includes having the ‘right’ governors. In anticipating the future landscape of higher education, Sayers draws on his experience of the privatisation of British Telecom. He notes the need to match the capabilities of a governing body with the operating environment. A changed operating environment requires different skills. If a governing body is to operate effectively it is important to establish a culture of trust and loyalty. When interviewing new independent governors the focus is primarily on determining if the individual is likely to fit the culture and philosophy of the governing body. Finally, the sport of rowing is used to highlight differences between the roles and responsibilities of members of the governing body and the executive.
