Women on Boards
by WB Directors
Our podcast features inspirational success stories from our members on securing board roles and thriving as a non-executive at any career stage. Discover new pathways for professional and personal growth through the success stories of various non-executive female directors as they share their experiences in achieving their boardroom aspirations. WB Directors is a purpose-led business working to increase diversity in executive and non-executive leadership. As the home of the Women on Boards Community, we're the UK's most impactful NED network. Find out more about all our services at: www.wbdirectors.co.uk
Episodes
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How Curiosity Opens Doors to the Boardroom
In this episode, we speak to Timi Oni, Managing Director at BlackRock, whose career spans strategic communications, brand and reputation management, and commercialisation strategy. Timi reflects on how curiosity has guided her professional journey from shaping bold career choices to discovering…
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Leading with Purpose, Confidence and Creativity
In this episode, we speak to Monica Chadha, experienced NED, Board Advisor and creative industry leader whose career has spanned diverse roles. Monica shares her insights on how curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to take risks have shaped her journey. She highlights the importance of...
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How to Actively Manage Your Career
In this episode, Fiona Hathorn, CEO and Co-Founder of WB Directors, and Dr Malcolm McGregor, Head of Leadership Development, share practical insights on actively managing your career. They discuss key topics such as building visibility, understanding the real value of networking, creating a clear...
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Finding Balance: Career and Community
In this episode, we speak with Sadie Daryan, a Senior Marketer and Trustee at the Single Homeless Project, who landed her first board position through our guidance and resources. Sadie discusses the significant impact of role models and mentors throughout her career. She shares insights on...
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How to Step into Board Roles with Confidence
Laurie Benson has had a successful career as a media executive in the US and the UK. She has leveraged her experience and expertise into an extensive NED portfolio career. She emphasises the importance of securing that first role, the value of hands-on experience in boardrooms, and the confidence...
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The Importance of Passion in Your NED Portfolio
In this episode, we speak with Myfanwy Barrett, an experienced NED and Trustee, as she shares her journey to the boardroom and the wealth of experiences that shaped her career. With a background in public finance, Myfanwy holds a diverse portfolio across the pensions, housing, and cultural…
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The Experts' Guide to Board Success
In this episode, we look back at some of the best advice shared by our members throughout 2024 on succeeding as a non-executive director. These seasoned individuals provide valuable insights on assessing board fit, intentional networking, strategic relationship building, and much more. Speakers:...
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Building Your NED Portfolio in Insurance
In this episode, we speak with Carol Hagh, an experienced portfolio NED serving on both a FTSE 250 board and a FTSE All-Share board. Carol shares insights from her extensive career and journey in the boardroom. With a wealth of experience spanning digital innovation and customer and corporate...
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Embracing Strategic Decision-Making for Boardroom Success
In this episode Lloydette Bai-Marrow, an experienced non-executive director, anti-corrpution expert, and economic crime lawyer, discusses her extensive career and board journey. She emphasises the importance of strategic decision-making in choosing roles, building relationships, and demonstrating...
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How to Balance a NED Portfolio Alongside Your Day Job
In this episode, Tracy Watkinson, an experienced Non-Executive Director and a FTSE100 Chief Operating Officer, shares the invaluable tips gained from her remarkable career and board journey. Tracy has held various community board roles - undertaken in her private time - alongside her executive...
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Breaking Barriers in the Boardroom
In this episode, Monica Collings, a seasoned portfolio Non-Executive Director and award-winning former CEO, shares her experiences, challenges, and the strategies she adopted to break barriers and succeed in the boardroom. Monica highlights the importance of self-belief, representation of...
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Strategic Approaches to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
How do you create a truly inclusive company culture? In this episode, our CEO, Fiona Hathorn, is joined by Matt Duncan, Managing Director (Business Performance Improvement Leader) at Protiviti, and Dr Zandile Ndlovu, a Board Advisor and experienced Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Drawing...
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How to secure a board role with 'non-traditional' skill sets
Traditionally, the boardroom has been seen as the domain of accountants and lawyers, but the modern board requires non-executives with a broader range of professional expertise. In this episode, we hear from Mai Fenton and Kirsten Achtelstetter, two non-executives with marketing and tech...
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Building a NED career in financial services
In this podcast, Marcia Cantor-Grable, an experienced portfolio Non-Executive Director, shares her inspiring journey of working in executive committee and board level roles in financial services. Throughout her career, she has held various senior global and regional roles and currently serves on...
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Elevating HR to the boardroom
In this episode, Yetunde Hofmann talks about her journey to becoming an experienced portfolio Non-Executive Director and Board Mentor. She highlights the need to be intentional with networking and recognising the value you can bring to a board, regardless of where you are in your career.
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How to Stay Resilient with Women on Boards Ukraine
In a special episode, three senior Ukranian leaders share their unique experiences of staying resilient during a crisis and discuss the recently launched Women on Boards Ukraine Network. Olga Ustynova, Nataliya Mykolska, non-executive member of the Supervisory Board of Ukrhydroenergo and Nina...
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How to build a portfolio career in ethical investments
In this episode, our Co-Founder and Executive Director speaks to Katrina Shenton on her unique journey to the boardroom as an ethical investments professional. Katrina highlights the importance of choosing boards that align with her values and passions and shares the lessons learned during her...
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Peju Adebajo - Success Story
In this episode our CEO Fiona Hathorn catches up with experienced NED and CEO, and Women on Boards member, Peju Adebajo. Peju shares her journey of becoming a portfolio NED from the starting point of arriving in the UK and having to build up a network to begin her campaign of securing a NED role...
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Stepping up to Chair - what's really involved in becoming a Board Chair?
In this podcast we hear from Sue Douthwaite, Chair of Nexa Finance and NHS Business Service Authority, and Sarah Heenan, Chair of Regents Opera - two members who stepped into Chair roles in 2022 about their experience of making the transition, and the challenges and rewards they are finding. They...
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Bursary Podcast Series, Episode 2, March 2023
Episode 2 of our Bursary Programme mini-series podcast special! In this episode, Fiona Hathorn, CEO and Co-Founder at Women on Boards UK, was delighted to speak with Bami Adenipekun and Marianna Sikorowska about why they applied for the bursary, how they found it and what their plans are for the...
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Bursary Podcast Series, Episode 1, March 2023
Episode 1 of 2 in our Bursary Programme mini series. In this first episode, Fiona Hathorn, CEO and Co-Founder of Women on Boards UK, catches up with Rituja Rao and Nicky Neal-Smith about why they applied for the bursary, how they found it and what their plans are for the future. The Women on…
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Ama Ocansey - Success Story
Rachel Tranter, Founder and Executive Director, Women on Boards UK, meets with Ama Ocansey, UK Head of Diversity and Inclusion for BNP Paribas. BNP Paribas are one of our corporate partners who actively encourage employees to develop non-executive experience as part of their career development.…
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Ten for Ten Podcast Series, Episode 10, Sally Duckworth
Episode 10 of our Ten for Ten podcast mini series. In this Episode, Fiona Hathorn, CEO and Founder of Women on Boards UK, meets with Sally Duckworth. Sally is a CEO, Portfolio NED and Women on Boards Ambassador and Workshop Presenter. Sally is Chair of Stormagic Ltd, a Non-Executive Director of...
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Ten for Ten Podcast Series, Episode 9, June Aitken
Episode 9 of our Ten for Ten podcast mini series. In this episode, Fiona Hathorn, CEO and Founder of Women on Boards UK, meets with member June Aitken. June is an experienced Portfolio Non-Executive Director and an Investor. June currently holds NED positions with the following organisations, JP...
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Ten for Ten Podcast Series, Episode 8 - Jacqui Ferguson
Episode 8 of our Ten for Ten podcast mini series. In this episode, Fiona Hathorn, CEO and Founder of Women on Boards UK meets with member, Jacqui Ferguson. Jacqui is an experienced non-executive director in multiple industries and a former divisional CEO from the technology industry. Jacqui's...
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Ten for Ten Podcast Series, Episode 7 - Nia Roberts
Episode 7 of our Ten for Ten poscast mini series. In this episode, Fiona Hathorn, CEO and Founder of Women on Boards UK meets with member, Nia Roberts. Nia is an experienced trustee, chair and committee member with a portfolio of roles. Her appointments include being a Member of the Engineering…
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Ten for Ten Podcast Series, Episode 6 - Karen Finlayson
Episode 6 of our Ten for Ten podcast mini series. In this episode Fiona Hathorn, CEO and Founder of Women on Boards UK meets with Karen Finlayson, a Partner at PwC, and a Board Member on PwC's UK Supervisory Board. PwC are a longstanding corporate partner of Women on Boards. Karen's prior non...
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Ten for Ten Podcast Series, Episode 5 - Alex Tamlyn
Episode 5 of our Ten for Ten Podcast Mini Series. In this episode, Fiona Hathorn, CEO and Founder of Women on boards UK meets with Alex Tamlyn, an experienced lawyer and governance expert, who shares his thoughts on developments in corporate governance over the past 30 years , Alex Tamlyn is...
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Ten for Ten Podcast Series, Episode 4 - Lesley Lloyd
In this 10 for 10 podcast mini-series, ten of our members share the twists and turns they've experienced building their very different board careers, and generously share what they wish they'd known before. In this episode, Fiona Hathorn, CEO and Founder, Women on Boards UK meets with Lesley…
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Ten for Ten Podcast Series, Episode 3 - Alison Thorne
In this 10 for 10 podcast mini-series, ten of our membes share the twists and turns they've experienced building their very different board careers, and generously share what they wish they'd known before. I this episode, Fiona Hathorn, CEO and Founder, Women on Boards UK meets with Alison…
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Ten for Ten Podcast Series, Episode 2 - Tazeem Abbas
In this 10 for 10 podcast mini-series, ten of our members share the twists and turns they've experienced building their very different board careers, and generously share what they wish they'd known before. In this episode, Fiona Hathorn, CEO and Founder, Women on Boards UK meets with Tazeem…
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Ten for Ten Podcast Series, Episode 1 - Shefaly Yogendra
In this 10 for 10 podcast mini-series, ten of our members share the twists and turns they've experienced building their very different board careers, and generously share what they wish they'd known before. In this episode Fiona Hathorn, CEO and Founder, Women on Boards UK meets with Portfolio…
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Carlotta Zorzi - Success Story
In this episode Rachel Tranter, Founder and Executive Director of Women On Boards UK is joined by Carlotta Zorzi, who shares her experience of balancing her successful executive career alongside not one but two, non-executive roles. Carlotta is an award-winning tech professional, currently at…
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Bespoke Search - Taking a Different Approach
This podcast is all about recruiting diverse board members and detailing how and what we do in the UK to help Chairs and Nominations Committees source new and interesting candidates by tapping into our deep fault lines of new emerging NED talent and/or accessing our existing pocket of experienced...
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'Life in the Boardroom' with Paul Norris, CEO of MM&K
In this episode, Fiona Hathorn, CEO of Women on Boards UK is joined by Paul Norris, CEO of MM&K. Paul talks Fiona through MM&K's recent report on 'Life in the Boardroom'. It is a data rich report that covers many things including what directors get paid per sector. It is a fascinating report on...
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Modernising Risk Management - a discussion with Bryan Foss
Risk is a core issue for all boards, but thinking on the best way to manage risk has moved on considerably in recent years. In this episode, Fiona Hathorn, Founder and CEO of Women on Boards UK is joined by Bryan Foss, Portfolio NED and founding member of the Risk Coalition to discuss how boards...
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Unette Spencer - Success Story
In this episode Fiona Hathorn, CEO of Women on Boards UK, is joined by Unette Spencer, Chief of Staff to Ann Cairns, Mastercard's Executive Vice Chair; trustee for the Inspiring Leadership Trust; and a member of Affinity Waters Customer Challenge Board. Find out what's involved in two very...
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Pandemic Appointments - Non-Executive experiences of a hybrid world.
In this episode Rebecca Ganz, Women on Boards' lead in the North West is joined by Carol Ann Whitehead, Helen Gilder and Erica Morriss, all of whom have landed a NED role during the pandemic. They explore how they've accelerated having an impact on their Board despite being virtual or hybrid…
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Mind the pay gap!
Debunking common misconceptions around the pay gaps - Key errors many companies (listed & not) make in their statutory gender pay gap reporting and how boards can ensure they are fully compliant - Anthony Horrigan, CEO of Spktral (the pay gap experts) shares his expertise.
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Interested in start-up boards?
Have you considered supporting an early-stage company either as an adviser, mentor or non-executive? In this episode we meet founder of Connectd.co, Sam Luckett, to find out more about the opportunities available in this space.
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Top tips from a leading non-executive headhunter
In this session we talk to Helene Usherwood, Partner at leading search firm, Anderson Quigley about how to best approach your board campaign. Helene shares her top tips on how to succeed in your board aspirations from considering your board value add to how to tackle your supporting statement to...
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Seven Reasons why Joining a Board is Good for your Career
Listen to this session when Women on Boards CEO and Founder, Fiona Hathorn takes you through some of the top reasons why taking on a non-executive or trustee role can really differentiate you in the world of work, but also be hugely rewarding and stimulating.
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Brigid Whoriskey - Success Story
In this session Fiona Hathorn is joined by Brigid Whoriskey who having had an executive career in research and innovation in the financial sector has started to build a busy portfolio non-executive career to run alongside her executive coaching business. She shares her top tips on how to achieve...
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Malado Kaba - Success Story
For this episode we meet the former (and first!) female Finance Minister for the Republic of Guinea, Malado Kaba as she shares her journey to the boardroom. Bringing her solid economic background and expertise she now sits on the boards of a government agency, a bank and a charity. Her story is...
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Karen Morton - Success Story
For this Success Story podcast Fiona Hathorn is joined by Karen Morton, an experienced board member with Non-Executive Director experience across commercial public sector, private and not for profit organisations. Karen is currently on the board of DAA, Irish Chamber Orchestra and Water Safety...
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The benefits of taking on a non-executive role alongside your day job
Sarah Perris, Women on Board's presenter and representative for The North of England explores the career benefits of taking on one or more board roles alongside your executive career. Sarah is joined by Amber Hill, Lisa Maynard-Atem and Katy Read - all busy executives who have developed board...
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In Conversation with Charlotte Valeur
Former Danish investment banker, Charlotte Valeur, is an internationally renowned and highly experienced Non-Executive Director and Chair who is committed to increasing levels of good governance globally through value-based leadership. Always destined to live and work abroad she admits, at the…
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Karen Furlong - Success Story
Join this episode of our Success Story podcasts when Rachel Tranter talks to portfolio NED, Karen Furlong, on how she has built her numerous non-executive positions in the finance and insurance sectors. Karen reflects on how important alignment with her own personal values are when deciding on...
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Susan Hooper - Success Story
For this Boardroom Insight podcast Susan Hooper joins Fiona Hathorn as they discuss her journey to the boardroom and some of the themes and trends she is seeing as the Covid crisis continues to impact the economy and society on all levels. Susan definitely falls into the category of having a...
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Bronagh Kennedy - Success Story
For this success story podcast we are joined by experienced board member and remuneration Chair, Bronagh Kennedy. Bronagh juggles a busy executive career as Group Company Secretary and General Counsel at Severn Trent Water Plc alongside being on the board of specialist retailer Wolseley UK, where...
About this show
Our podcast features inspirational success stories from our members on securing board roles and thriving as a non-executive at any career stage. Discover new pathways for professional and personal growth through the success stories of various non-executive female directors as they share their experiences in achieving their boardroom aspirations. WB Directors is a purpose-led business working to increase diversity in executive and non-executive leadership. As the home of the Women on Boards Community, we're the UK's most impactful NED network. Find out more about all our services at: www.wbdirectors.co.uk
Hosted by
WB Directors