Pathway to the Boardroom

Course overview

An engaging one-day program designed to support aspiring non-executive directors to identify and secure an appropriate board role. You’ll learn what it takes to to be a great director, how to identify and secure an ideal role, what you should be paid and how to develop a career as a non-executive director. This workshop is created and led by Derwent Executive, one of Australia’s leading board search and advisory firms. Derwent are passionate about identifying and developing the next generation of Australian Directors and use first-hand experience and case studies to bring this content to life.

Course outcomes:

Know what you’re getting into: the role, responsibilities of a director in ASX, private, government and for purpose sectors.
Learn the key attributes of a great director and how these attributes differ between settings.
Understand your unique value proposition; how to position yourself as an attractive candidate.
Develop a plan to find an appropriate role: build a network, identify key decision makers and understand the appointment process.
Secure a role: how to undertake due diligence and understand appropriate renumeration.

This course is suitable for:

Senior executives considering an external board appointment as a key element of professional development.
Senior executives, consultants and entrepreneurs looking to build a portfolio career.

About the experts:

Ben Derwent is the Founder and Managing Director of Derwent, leading the strategy and management of the company. With a hands on approach Ben guides client acquisition, relationship management and search outcomes across the business. His primary focus is on private equity relationships and the board practice.

Ben is an entrepreneur who has always thrived in high risk competitive environments. Decades of extreme sporting endeavours have influenced how he has shaped the firm’s ‘spirit to challenge’ culture and philosophy. It is through Ben’s vision, and inspirational leadership that Derwent has been able to impact careers and businesses for over 20 years.

Michelle Gardiner is Partner at Derwent Executive and has extensive experience recruiting and building high performing boards and executive teams. Michelle works across all industries and locations within Australia and is a champion of diversity. Derwent Executive has a thriving board practice focused on early stage, high growth and mid-sized enterprise across ASX, private, government and for purpose settings. The team are committed to developing the next generation of Australian company directors.

Mentorship curriculum

Module 1: What type of directorship is right for you

Different types of board settings
Roles and responsibilities of a director Case Study
Q&A

Module 2: How a High Performing Board Operates

The key attributes of a successful director
The role of diversity in the boardroom
Key characteristics of high performing boards - Insights from the front line
Q&A

Module 3: Securing a board position

Understand what your ‘value add’ proposition is to a board
Develop your personal brand
How to engage with the right networks
Professional development
Understand the board appointment process
How to interview for a board position
Case Study
Q&A

Module 4: Risks and considerations

What due diligence must you undertake before considering a board role
Understand how should you be remunerated
How to build a portfolio career
Q&A

Mentorship logistics

This is a one day workshop enabling Ben and Michelle to focus on your objectives, answer questions and give personal feedback. Ben and Michelle deliver the course in person and draw on their experience placing hundreds of executives on company boards. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions particular to their business objective by email in the week leading up to the workshop. At the end of the course you will walk away having developed a personal plan to accelerate your pathway to the boardroom. This workshop is held in an awesome boardroom, in the Sydney CBD and runs from 9am– 5pm with short breaks. Lunch and morning tea is provided.