Many Boards are failing to understand the dynamics that lead them into rough water and so ultimately to miss the point of their existence.

Banks and Hospitals tend to hit the headlines most loudly. In April 2013, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) joins the Financial Services Authority (FSA) as a fellow regulatory body to the Finance industry. There are increased risks and opportunities inherent in this new arrangement: greater oversight and scrutiny on the one hand; and things falling between the two regulatory bodies on the other. The need to focus on dynamics in the Boardroom is now vital.

In November 2009 Dr Mannie Sher of the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations (TIHR) co-wrote an appendix to the Walker Report “A review of corporate governance in UK Banks and other financial industry entities” where he called for a focus on the dynamics within the Boardroom as an effective barometer of potential success and failures within a given industry. Three years on, the need to focus on dynamics in the boardroom is as pressing as it was at the time of the Walker Review.

It is not just the financial sector in need. Boards in Education, Health, Fire and Police authorities (the latter having newly elected Commissioners from November 2012) will be evaluating their performance. Supporting those professionals offering and working with board evaluation, the TIHR has devised a unique training programme. The Certificate in Dynamics at Board Level focuses on the skills necessary to equip those working with Boards to skilfully engage with the tensions in Board evaluation and development.

The programme starts in May 2013 and will offer an opportunity to those coaching, consulting or conducting board evaluations to reflect on and deepen their practice at navigating the dynamics in the boardroom. The new FCA CEO-designate, Martin Wheatley’s resources and weight must be focused toward board-level dynamics to prevent the types of failure that have been seen in boardrooms in all sectors, but most strikingly, in Financial Services.

For further information about the programme or a brochure, please contact Rachel Kelly, Professional Development Coordinator:
e: r.kelly@tavinstitute.org
t: +44 20 7457 3927