A hugely inspiring evening at our annual ‘Women on Boards’ networking event!
On Tuesday evening, we had the privilege of hosting our annual ‘Women on Boards’ networking event for over 100 incredible female board members at the Hotel Café Royal in London. It was testament to the amazing women in the room who created a hugely dynamic and yet relaxed atmosphere where everyone enjoyed networking with old contacts and making new ones.
Throughout the evening, we had the privilege of listening to five wonderful speakers (Angela Seymour-Jackson, Kate Swann, Charlotta Ginman, Olivia Streatfeild and Franziska Kayser) who shared their invaluable insights from being on many boards as Chairs, NEDs and CEOs. A few themes were discussed around the importance of choosing your Board seats wisely; about ensuring you are both a cultural fit with the Board and business, as well as having real value to add; and around being on a Board which is truly collegiate and supportive so that in good times and in bad, it comes together in the right way to support the business.
A few of our favourite quotes from the speakers included…
“A board role is your career, and you should own it!”
“Be comfortable in your role to say something, or not say something. You don’t have to contribute to everything”.
“Remember the things you didn’t like about NEDs and Chairs in your executive roles, and use this as learning”.
“You don’t need to know everything, but you do need to know people who do know everything!”
“Own your role. You don’t have to be the best in the room to put your hand up.”
“Choose a board role where you can really add value. Think about the areas you can help in, and who you’re able to support.”
It is always so humbling and inspiring to witness so many brilliantly talented women in one room come together and share very personal stories about their board and executive experiences, and be so keen to help each other, and to build new connections with the intention of really helping each other going forward.
Thank you massively to those wonderful women who joined us, and we look forward to seeing them and many others at the next ‘Women on Boards’ meet-up.