Being an Effective Non-Executive Director

“I liked the examples; they really helped to illustrate the trainer’s points.”

Cabinet Office

Non-Executive Directors are expected to scrutinise the work of the Executives, be independent in character and judgement, and not allow relationships or circumstances to affect their decisions. In reality, the practical application of the skills required of a Non-Executive Director can often be challenging and it can be easy for NEDs to fall into the trap of adopting the same mindset as the Executive Directors. There are also some differences between being a NED in the public sector and a NED in the private sector.

This course is also suitable for established non-executive directors who would like to strengthen their skills, deliver greater efficiency, help contribute to an effective board and to achieve their organisation's strategic objectives.

Being an Effective Non-Executive Director is an exceptionally popular training course within our Accountability & Governance series led by Catharine Seddon who brings 13 years of NED experience with national regulators in four different government departments.

At the Civil Service College, we tailor our courses to each attendee’s role and organisation, ensuring that each participant gets the most out of the training. Our courses and trainers are continuously updated and evaluated to ensure that we are always delivering the best service possible.

 

Key Training Features

Who Can Attend

Learning Outcome

 


Key Training Features:

  • How to research potential new posts to ensure they fit your skills and motivation
  • Necessary and valued skills in public sector bodies
  • Valued Behaviours
  • Behaviours to avoid
  • Enhancing knowledge and performance as a NED

Who Can Attend:

This course is designed for both new Non-Executive Directors and board members who would like an introduction to the duties and responsibilities of their new positions as well as established NEDs who wish to further enhance their skills.


Learning Outcomes:

  • Non-Executive Directors will have a better understanding in how they can contribute their knowledge and experience to deliver greater efficiency and achieving the organisation's strategic objectives
  • Participants will also gain an understanding of good and bad behaviours when acting as a NED, which skills are necessary and valued in public sector bodies, as well as an understanding of how to enhance their knowledge and performance as a NED.

Recommendations:

The Public Sector: Managing the Unmanageable by Alexander Stevenson
The Public-Private Partnership Handbook by Malcom Morley


 

Summary

Duration

10:00 - 13:00

Price

£650 + VAT

Location

Civil Service College, Westminster, London

Dates

Face to Face 5 February 2025 Book5

Virtual 8 May 2025 Book8

Face to Face 3 September 2025 Book8

Lead Trainer

Catharine Seddon

Catharine Seddon

Catharine has 13 years of NED experience with UK regulators in four different government departments. Her interests include; strategy, governance and risk management.

Read Bio
Catharine Seddon

Catharine Seddon

Catharine brings 13 years of NED experience with national regulators in four different government departments. Her particular interests include strategy, governance, risk management and regulatory decision-making. 

After twenty years as an award-winning documentary film maker for  the BBC and running her own production company,  Catharine took up her first NED post  with the Human Tissue Authority She  subsequently became its Audit and Risk Assurance Chair and its Senior Independent Director (SID). She is currently the SID for the Gambling Commission and, as a Commissioner,  sits on the Commission’s Remuneration Committee, its fourth National Lottery Committee and its change programme, RESET. She is a member of the Legal Services Board where she chairs  its Audit and Risk Assurance Committee. She is a member and chair-designate of the Audit and Governance Committee of the HFEA  and  a member of the Determinations Panel of the Pensions Regulator. She sits on tribunals in mental health and employment and as a lay assessor on  civil cases in the county courts and she is a presiding magistrate. She has recently been appointed to the Health Service Products Appeal Tribunal. She is also a trustee for CPotential, a special needs charity. 

"Great course, expert presentation on the topic. It has made me reflect on what I can bring to my organisation"

HMPPS

"Very well executed session and extremely helpful."

Home Office

Tailored in-house training

Civil Service College can deliver In-House training within your organisation that is exactly tailored to meet your individual training requirements.

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