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Tips for success

Everybody’s pathway to Board membership is different. There’s no right way, and no wrong way either.

Pathway to Board membership

You’re unlikely to join the Board of a large organisation without some governance experience. That’s why it helps to plan your pathway.

A volunteer governance role in an unincorporated organisation, such as a local sports club or interest group, is valuable experience for a role in a limited company, public organisation or charity.

  1. 1 Unincorporated organisations

    Start small and local

    Look for small local organisations working on topics you find interesting. They often welcome volunteers to help manage their work. They aren’t bound by the same rules as registered businesses, charities and public bodies, and rarely handle large budgets, so the stakes are lower while you learn.

  2. 2 Schools

    Become a school governor

    If you’re interested in young people or education, consider becoming a governor at a local school. Training is available, and you often don’t need governance experience.

  3. 3 Third sector organisations

    Join a third sector Board

    Third sector organisations vary hugely in size and complexity, and are often extremely valuable places to gain experience.

  4. 4 Committees

    Sit on a committee

    Large organisations often have committees that welcome community members with specialist skills such as HR, finance or tech.

  5. 5 Regulated public Boards

    Apply to regulated Boards

    Regulated public Boards, and companies seeking non-executive Directors, usually expect knowledge and experience of governance.

Little or no experience neededGovernance experience expected

Finding a mentor

A mentor can share insight from their experience, and may use their network to help you find the right Board position.

  • Choose someone you admire

    Pick someone in your industry, or one you’d like to join. It doesn’t have to be someone you know.

  • Study their path

    Read their professional profile and note their career path. Write down what you admire about them, and why.

  • Expect to be challenged

    Good mentors guide you but give you space to carve your own path, rather than telling you what to do. If a mentor no longer challenges you, it may be time to move on.