In this compelling episode of Notes from a NED, host Samuel Kasumu has an enlightening conversation with Alice Maynard, one of the most respected voices in governance and board leadership. Alice brings a wealth of experience from her current and past roles, including her position as a non-executive director at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), where she chairs the People Committee, and her tenure at HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Her work also extends to sitting on the board of the Government Commercial Function, where she oversees vital decisions regarding pay and benefits for key government departments. Additionally, Alice has served as the Chair of several prominent charities, where she has led critical improvements in governance, strategic planning, and operational effectiveness. These charities include Scope, the UK's leading disability charity.

In this episode, Alice reflects on her rich career journey and shares key insights into what makes governance effective and impactful. The discussion ranges from the barriers to progression that underrepresented groups face when aspiring to board membership, to the importance of transparency in governance, and the unique dynamics between board members and their chairs. Alice emphasises the need for trust and strong relationships to achieve strategic goals. She doesn’t shy away from exploring the complexities of her roles, such as navigating public appointments and implementing governance reforms.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Crucial Role of Diversity: Alice underscores how diverse representation on boards drives better decision-making, enhances governance outcomes, and contributes to a more holistic understanding of organisational challenges.
2. Building Trust is Essential: The relationship between non-executive directors and executives, especially the board chair, is built on trust. Alice explains how this trust influences effective governance and strategic alignment.
3. Transparency in Governance: Effective boards require transparency in information sharing and decision-making. Alice discusses how openness builds trust and drives organisational success.
4. Understanding Board Dynamics: Alice offers insights into the subtle dynamics of board membership, emphasising the importance of mutual respect, understanding motivations, and the power of strong stakeholder management.
5. Due Diligence and Accountability: Before joining a board, non-executive directors must conduct thorough due diligence to understand the organisation's governance and challenges. Accountability isn’t optional—it's central to responsible board leadership.

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Join us for an eye-opening episode with global activist and leader Kumi Naidoo, former International Executive Director of Greenpeace International, Secretary General of Amnesty International, and Secretary-General of CIVICUS as he unpacks over 20 years of experience fighting for social justice and equity. Kumi takes us on a journey through the transformative power of activism, exploring the role of arts and culture in mobilising communities and challenging entrenched systems. He discusses the pressing need for international NGOs to tackle structural racism and embrace diversity and inclusion, both in governance and resource allocation.

Kumi’s insights highlight the complexities of leading civil society organisations toward genuine equity and representation, emphasising that meaningful change requires a fundamental shift in organisational culture and global priorities. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone committed to making a difference and understanding the evolving landscape of activism.

Key Topics:

• The broader definition of activism and why it's crucial
• Challenges and strategies for inclusive governance
• Addressing structural racism in civil society
• The importance of equitable resource distribution, especially toward the global South
• How arts and culture can amplify activism

Listen, reflect, and be inspired to act!

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In this episode of Notes from a NED, host Samuel Kasumu delves into the multifaceted career of Meri Williams, CTO at Pleo and a trailblazer in technology leadership across diverse sectors.

Meri recounts her unconventional journey, from launching South Africa’s first satellite to leading digital transformation in the UK government. Drawing from her experiences at organisations like Procter & Gamble, MOO, Monzo, and Healx, Vodafone, M&S, Meri shares strategies for managing teams of all sizes, fostering innovation, and balancing the demands of technology with board management.

Beyond her professional achievements, Meri speaks openly about the resilience required to navigate her career alongside personal health challenges, including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. A dedicated advocate for STEM education and inclusivity, Meri also discusses her roles as a tech advisor for Kindred Capital, trustee at Stonewall, and co-founder of One Goes Up, a micro-charity aimed at empowering young women and non-binary people in STEM fields. Throughout, Meri offers insights into cultivating leadership and adaptability in high-stakes, dynamic environments, providing listeners with actionable takeaways for both personal and professional growth.

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In this episode of Notes from a NED, host Samuel Kasumu speaks with Nic Conner, political strategist, crisis communication expert, and co-founder of Parisi. Together, they dive into the world of strategic communication, particularly in high-stakes situations, drawing insights from both corporate and political spheres.

Conner shares his perspective on the parallels between political and corporate communication, underscoring the need for proactive reputation management and intentional messaging. The conversation covers essential strategies for crisis management, with real-world examples from the COVID-19 pandemic and cybersecurity incidents. Connor highlights the importance of transparent, empathetic, and well-rehearsed crisis plans that boards and leadership teams often overlook but critically need.

Key insights from this episode include:

• The critical role of proactive reputation management in shaping public perception, rather than simply reacting to crises.
• Nic’s strategies for effective crisis communication, focusing on transparency, empathy, and the importance of rehearsed plans.
• The impact of clear, streamlined messaging that resonates with audiences, a technique essential in both political and corporate settings.
• Advice for leaders to prioritise and continually refine their crisis communication strategies for better resilience and adaptability.

This episode is essential for anyone interested in mastering communication in high-pressure environments and discovering how to simplify messages for greater impact. Nic’s depth of experience and thoughtful approach to crisis management offer listeners powerful lessons on navigating today’s fast-evolving communication challenges.

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As a seasoned engineer with over 40 years of experience, Dervilla has navigated the complexities of the built environment, overcoming obstacles and driving innovation along the way. From her work on the iconic Heathrow Terminal 5 project to her role as the deputy chairman of Arup Group, the £2billion professional services firm. Dervilla's insights into the art of collaboration, problem-solving, and fostering a nurturing work environment are invaluable.

Key insights from this episode include:

• The importance of collaboration, problem-solving, and fostering inclusive work environments to drive innovation in engineering.
• Dervilla discusses the skills shortage in engineering, advocating for strategic actions by employers to retain and develop talent.
• She highlights the value of diverse perspectives on boards and in leadership roles for stronger decision-making.
• For young engineers, Dervilla advises focusing on strengths and seeking growth opportunities both within and outside their organisations.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the world of engineering, leadership, and organisational development. Dervilla's wealth of experience and her ability to navigate complex challenges make her a true inspiration, and her insights are sure to leave a lasting impact on the listeners.

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Mary O'Connor's background is anything but traditional. She started her career as a lawyer, working as a prosecutor and then transitioning to the UK legal landscape. Her experience in the public sector and her ability to navigate complex regulatory environments ultimately led her to KPMG, where she was tasked with addressing the firm's governance, controls, and cultural challenges.

Key insights from the interview include:

- The importance of building trust and psychological safety to get the best out of teams, even when you're an outsider coming into an organisation.

- Navigating the challenges of being a visible minority or non-traditional candidate in a traditionally homogeneous industry.

- The pros and cons of using non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), and the need for boards to be more thoughtful about when they are used.

- Advice for aspiring leaders on being brave, aiming high, and creating more opportunities for themselves.

This podcast episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, organisational transformation, inclusion, and the evolving landscape of the corporate world. Mary's insights and experiences offer a valuable roadmap for navigating the complexities of modern business and driving positive change.

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