Board & Executive · NED
Non-Executive Director and Committee Chair search.
Retained NED, SID and committee chair search aligned with the UK Corporate Governance Code.
What the role is
A short definition.
A Non-Executive Director brings independent judgement, sector or functional expertise, and governance oversight to a board. The best NEDs are not observers — they actively challenge, add specific skills the board matrix has identified as under-represented, and take on Committee Chair responsibilities where their expertise fits (Audit, Risk, Remuneration, ESG, Nomination).
Core responsibilities
What we assess candidates against.
- Independent challenge and support to the Chair and executive team
- Committee membership and, where appropriate, Committee Chair responsibilities
- Specific expertise addition to the board matrix (financial, sector, regulatory, ESG, cyber, AI)
- Governance oversight aligned with the UK Corporate Governance Code
- Succession planning support to the Chair, including for the CEO
When to run this search
Typical triggers.
On a scheduled NED retirement; on a change of Chair; on a listing, transaction or change of ownership; when a board matrix review identifies a specific skills gap; when an existing Committee Chair rotates.
How we search for this role
The specific approach we take.
The four skills currently most under-supplied in the UK NED market are substantive ESG competence, AI governance, cyber and information-security fluency, and sector-specific regulatory expertise. Every search we run maps against these skills alongside the specific brief. Independence pre-checks are run before first interview. Diversity of shortlist is measured against FTSE Women Leaders and Parker Review targets before any list is shared with the Nomination Committee.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How is a NED search different from an executive search?
The commercial model is the same — retained, senior-partner-led — but the process is more structured. The board matrix drives the brief; independence checks are formal and run early; the Nomination Committee interviews multiple candidates rather than a single preferred appointee.
Do you handle Chair and Senior Independent Director searches?
Yes. Chair and SID search is our Board & Chair practice. Every search is Code-aligned and typically takes 16–20 weeks brief to appointment.
How do you meet diversity commitments?
Every longlist and shortlist we present is measured for diversity of background, experience and perspective before it is shared with a Nomination Committee. We work actively to identify candidates from historically under-represented groups at senior level and structure the process to reduce bias.
Do you support committee chair appointments (Audit, Risk, ESG)?
Yes. Where a board matrix review identifies the need for a new Committee Chair, we run the search against the specific competency profile — Audit Chair candidates typically have prior CFO or Big Four audit partnership experience; Risk Chair candidates draw from CRO or senior regulator backgrounds; ESG Chair candidates increasingly come from a mix of sustainability leadership and prior board experience.
How is NED compensation set?
By the Remuneration Committee, with reference to comparable listed companies. The Chair and SID roles command a premium; Committee Chair roles carry an additional fee. We advise on market benchmarks during the appointment process.
Related practice