Non Executive Director
-
Upload
davidlever -
Category
Documents
-
view
2.810 -
download
0
description
Transcript of Non Executive Director
The Non Executive Director
The role of a Non Executive Director in a SME
David Lever11th April 2008
Presentation will cover ……
Boards, directors, NEDs Roles & responsibilities Skills, attributes, requirements & expectations Liabilities and penalties Best practice
Becoming a NED
What is a director
Shareholders own limited companies and Directors run them
Limited companies – minimum one, PLCs - two Roles & responsibilities
case law Companies Act 2006 “act in a way which is most likely to promote the
success of the business”
Who is a director?
Director in law Executive directors Non Executive Directors Nominee directors Alternate directors
Director by conduct Shadow director
Director by Name Associate Director
Appointment of directors
Shareholders appoint who they want Rules in Articles of Association
How many How long to serve What happens at end of term
Candidates must NOT be disqualified Undischarged bankrupt Under 16 (Scotland)
Directors' powers, duties and liabilities
Powers Memorandum & articles Companies Act 2006
Duties Exercise a degree of skill and care Act in good faith - interests of company as a whole Obey the law Continuance
Liabilities
Retirement of directors
Rules in Articles of Association May retire after set term Offer for re-election at AGM
Directors' powers, duties & liabilities
Promote the success of the company Equal consideration to all shareholders No private profits & approval of personal deals Declare conflict of interest Declare any shareholdings contracts of employment Pursue the objectives Exhibit degree of skill Exercise degree of care
Purpose of Board
“Seek to ensure the company’s prosperity by collectively directing the company’s affairs whilst meeting the appropriate interests of its shareholders and relevant stakeholders”(IoD 2001 Standards for the Board)
Power & responsibility
Shareholders
Board of Directors
Management
Role of Board ……
Provide entrepreneurial leadership of the company within a framework of prudent and effective controls, which enable risk to be assessed and managed
Set company’s strategic aims, ensure that financial and human resources in place for the company to meet its objectives & review management performance.
Set company’s values and standards and ensure that its obligations to its shareholders and others are understood and met.
Governance & management
Board - Governance Establishing & maintaining the vision Formulating and owning corporate strategy Acquiring and allocating overall resources Settling & maintaining policies Focus on the longer term – Strategy
Executive Directors & managers - management Achieving strategic objectives Running the business – day in, day out Operational problem solving Profit generation Focus on the here and now – tactics
Board roles ……
Foresight
Farsight
Oversight
Hindsight
Establish vision, mission & values
Set strategies & structure
Delegate to management & review
Exercise accountability to shareholders and be responsible to relevant stakeholders
Respective roles
Board Collectively directs company’s affairs
Chairman Leads the board & manages its business
Managing Director / Chief Executive Executes strategies, plans & policies agreed by the
Board Leads the management and employees Manages the business activities day to day
Board fundamentals
Board fundamentals Company’s mind and will Joint & several responsibility Council of equals Chairman is first amongst equals MD has no boardroom seniority NEDs - director role only; executive directors also
managers.
What is a Non Executive Director
Non-Executive Director / Non Exec / NED NED = part time, non executive role (not executive roles
such as Managing Director, Sales Director etc) All Directors are equal Company Law does not differentiate between Executive
and Non Executive Directors NEDs not involved in day-to-day management No reporting lines within a company to a NED
What is a Non Executive Director
PLCs & quoted companies - regulation and corporate governance issues are crucial
Owner managed business - resource not ordinarily able to afford, cheaper & more committed than a professional advisor or Consultant.
Different from retained professional advisor, Interim Manager or Consultant - Advisors are paid to advise and Directors are paid to decide
NEDs = “Corporate policeman or watchdog" with adherence to good practise, adherence to Boardroom disciplines, corporate governance and corporate responsibilities
What is a Non Executive Director
Executive Full time Day-to-day, hands-on Employed Contract of employment Not Independent Line responsibility Portfolio responsibility Executive responsibility Executing strategy Micro/internal knowledge
NED Part time Hands-off Self Employed Letter of appointment Independent No line responsibility Without portfolio No executive responsibility Consider & review strategy Macro/external knowledge
Contribution of NED …….
Key areas: Strategy Performance Risk People
A Non-Executive Director should bring ……
Attributes of NED ……
Experience Commonsense Courage Diplomacy
Intellect Tenacity Wisdom Vision
Credibility, experience and stature Business, commercial and technical knowledge,
skills and experience “soft” skills - communication, influencing,
mentoring etc.
How a NED should act ……
integrity & probity corporate governance Support whilst monitoring executives Well prepared and informed Attend board meetings regularly Understand company & business Travel and participate at events Question intelligently, debate constructively,
challenge rigorously, decide dispassionately
How a NED should act ……
Probe information provided and assumptions Resolute in maintaining views Follow up Gain trust and respect Continually refresh knowledge and skills Communicate Allow Executives get on with their jobs. Independent advisor - challenge & support.
Why NED?
Why companies want NEDs Reasons for becoming a NED Time commitment for a NED Payment for NED
Legislation & code of conduct
US approach – legislation; UK - "Code of Conduct" Enron collapse - 2002 legislation Sarbanes-Oxley Prevent corporate fraud and protect investors. Stringent responsibilities - Executives / Directors Draconian measures damaged Corporate America Hampel, Cadbury and Higgs - Jan 2003 Non-Executives – “custodians of Governance process” Combined Code on Corporate Governance
standards of good practice in relation to issues such as board composition and development, remuneration, accountability and audit and relations with shareholders
Listed companies only Good practices for all companies
Effective Board ……
Entrepreneurial / prudent control. Know workings of company - answerable for actions Stand back - objective long term view Sensitive to short term issues / informed about long term Focus on commercial needs of business & responsibility
towards employees, business partners, society etc At least one NED Performance objectives and review achievement Input to the company strategy and its development. Risk management. Balance of skills and knowledge
Effective Board ……
Good internal & external communications Regulatory legislation & market activity Respond constructively & quickly to problems & crises. Appropriate subjects on the board agenda. Effective board committees Feedback to management on requirements. Regular, well informed & constructive board meetings. Well led by effective Chairman Good, well managed shareholder relations Good relations within the board. Can raise issues and concerns
Role of Chairman ……
Lead the Board Accurate and timely information Communicate effectively to the shareholders Views of the major investors Maximise contribution of NEDs Set the agenda Ensure sufficient time for issues Referee Development needs of new Directors. Annual assessment of board's performance Good dialogue between Executives and NEDs Succession planning of board members Effective implementation of board decisions
Types of Board
Properly functioning Board
Minimalist Board Disfunctional Board Subsidiary Board
Disfunctional Board
Dominance of shareholder / Chairman / MD Not acting as a council of equals Inadequate skills, knowledge & ability Lack of right blend of skills and experience Unable to differentiate - Board vs management Unable to differentiate - director vs shareholder Day to day rather than Board issues Unable to establish vision and formulating
strategy
Disfunctional Board
Inadequate Chairman Form over substance Lack of communication, conflict or interpersonal
issues Information withheld from Board / NEDs Focused on short-term rather than longer term
strategic Board unable / unwilling to provide governance Board does not have confidence of shareholders NEDs not seen as providing any benefit
Board Committees
Remuneration committee Audit committee Nomination committee
NEDs with shareholdings
NEDs should not be shareholders in listed companies
In SMEs - OK
Holding of shares by NEDs may compromise independence indicates commitment; helps to protect IPR aligns interests of the NED with the long-term
interests of shareholders. Shareholding should not be large proportion of NED's
financial wealth.
Penalties ……
Responsible for management of company - act in a way to promote success of business & benefit shareholders. Responsibilities to employees, trading partners, & state.
Wide powers to promote the company but serious penalties if abuse powers, or use irresponsibly.
Legal duties include: Employment Health & safety Tax Company law
Penalties ……
Personal liability Joint & several liability Unlimited liability
Disqualification Criminal convictions
Directors' & Officers insurance
Directors face increasing risks Companies to provide cover Some peace of mind Only 50% companies - D & O insurance
Pre-appointment due diligence Nature and extent of business activities Financial position & track record Key dependencies (regulatory approvals, licences) Corporate governance record Current executive directors & NEDs Company ownership Attitude to and relationship with shareholders Litigation Insurance cover Internal regulation sound Size, structure and make up of the Board Conflict of interest Qualities, knowledge , skills and experience required Suitability for role Not performing well – potential to turn it around
NED appointments – SME’s
Direct by company Venture capitalist / bank
Development & registers } List Public appointments }
To become a NED you need to have been a NED!
CV What do you have to offer?
Other points ……
Letter of NED appointment Reading list