If you or your organisation want to offer aspiring Non-Executive Directors from under-represented groups first-hand experience of taking a role on a NHS Trust board or on a Housing Association board, GatenbySanderson’s Insight Programme offers just that.
Across the public and not-for-profit sectors, the lack of diversity at Non-Executive Director level remains in the spotlight. Candidates who lack previous Non-Executive experience are often seen as higher risk appointments, and this lack of experience has become something of a barrier to aspiring Non-Executive Directors, with the impact being felt more keenly amongst Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, women, disabled and LGBTQ+ candidates. GatenbySanderson understand that diversity is essential to ensure that organisations reflect the communities they serve and we launched the Insight Programme in 2018 as part of our response to building greater representation across public services.
What does the programme involve?
The programme arranges for participants to be attached to one or two boards for a total of around nine months. In each organisation, participants will ‘buddy’ with an existing Non-Executive Director and attend board and subcommittee meetings, as well as have access to the organisation under local arrangements. Participants will also receive mentoring from the Board Chair.
There is no fee to be involved as either a participant or a sponsoring organisation.
There is also lots of free helpful advice on the Insight Programme website to help anyone applying for a role as a Non-Executive Director in the public and not-for-profit sectors, including what organisations are looking for and how to determine whether you have the right skills.
Getting involved
This cohort is focused on the following regions:
- Yorkshire
- The North West of England
- The South West of England
- South Wales
If you are interested in applying, visit here. The closing date for participants is 31st July 2023.
If you represent a NHS Trust or Housing Association interested in becoming a sponsoring organisation, please email chantelle.harris@gatenbysanderson.com before 30th June 2023, or visit here for more information.