Each time I have worked with IBE they have tailored their approach to specific circumstances and added real value with honest feedback, helpful provocation, and practical recommendations. I view the team as expert thought partners in our quest for ever more effective governance.
Ffion’s low key but thorough, firm but fair, unconfrontational approach turned Board opinion from marginally fragmented to wholly supportive. As a result, the review has generated an important and quantifiable contribution to the process of building a Board that is better equipped to do justice to shareholders expectations.
Board evaluations are sometimes viewed sceptically by those participating in them. Our experience turned this perspective on its head. Lisa’s engagement was seen to be genuinely focussed on performance - she delivered as a professional partner rather than a passing assessor. Her knowledge of the personalities on the board makes her a wise counsel and a great mentor for the chair. Her opinions matter to other board members.
IBE is simply outstanding at running an insightful interview process involving Board members and those who interact with them to identify the issues, producing a report to the Board, crafted with finesse, which members accept, and making recommendations for improvement which are actionable.
No Board is perfect, there is always room for improvement. Ffion Hague has the great ability to encourage Boards to examine how they perform in a clear and positive way and to build a plan to get better without any unnecessary fear of creating unrest or dysfunctionality between directors.
Lisa leads a clear and focused session at the Board. I received so much positive feedback from the Board on both the findings and approach. The session struck such a positive tone, but the continuous improvement suggested really resonated with the Board and led to a high-quality discussion at the non-executive breakfast the following morning.
We were delighted with the help and advice which we obtained from IBE. The report was clear, inciteful, commercial, practical and of great assistance. In addition, all those who participated found the exercise of great use. We believe that the performance of our Board will be enhanced as a result.
As a true global partnership, the effectiveness of our board is critical to our future success. Working with Ffion, with her extensive board experience, and Lisa, with her knowledge of partnership culture, was a valuable and enjoyable experience, and delivered an outcome tailored to our needs that provided some real insight.