ChairX: Launch your portfolio career

Our CEO Caroline Hayward talks about ways to launch your portfolio career as a NED/Chair and how to approach getting that elusive first role.

It’s a tough transition to make for your first Chair/NED role/s. It’s hard work and application and you will need a professional BIO and CV up to date and ready to go as well as profile consistency across platforms such as ChairX, Linked In etc.

Ideally you can become a thought leader or subject matter expert and build your personal brand to differentiate yourself. That can be facilitated via ChairX hosting.

A good NED or Chair  will need to connect and engage with new contacts and re-connect with existing ones.

80% of your business will emanate directly or indirectly from your personal network.

You could consider a course as transition to portfolio career- The IOD, INSEAD, FT etc. all offer relevant courses on improving your understanding and differences of the NED/Chair role. 

As these are typically 3-year terms, you are constantly looking for roles. This can be stressful if you need the money. It’s better to be financially secure.

Benefits are that you are independent and have flexibility to do other things.

You should always be thinking about your value to that board at that meeting, every time. A passive Board Member is of little added value. It’s important to be able to ask good questions and to be prepared to state your position clearly and with authority, even if contentious or not the “group think”.

A balanced view is important for a great Chairs or NEDs including strong emotional intelligence and listening skills and an emphasis on maintaining board relations, in and out of the Board Meetings.

Join the best International networks and groups and make an effort to engage and get involved where possible – Zoom meetings, coffees, lunches, networking events etc. It’s now part of the day job and not an optional extra.

Collaborative International  business networking such as ChairX is ideal.

You can see the video here