Irish based international board consultancy practice Board Excellence has launched a new arm to the business with an Non-Executive Director Search Service.
Board Excellence said that one of the biggest challenges for boards of all sizes is the increasing focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) issues.
It said that as the spotlight focuses much more keenly on board governance, all organisations - public, private and non-profit - are looking much more strategically when selecting non-executive directors and board chairs.
"Gone are the days of jobs for the boys or girls - today's board members are strategically chosen based on specific areas of expertise, leadership and management experiences, integrity and a deep commitment to do the right thing for the organisation," the company said.
Board Excellence is providing the new personalised service whether the company already has an established board and wants to recruit a new director or chair, or whether it is an SME or family business appointing their first independent director.
Kieran Moynihan, Managing Partner at Board Excellence, said that many companies are aware of the benefits of having independent board directors, but the process of finding directors can seem intimidating.
"Our new service provides a cost-effective solution, supporting companies at every stage of the process, from understanding what the company is looking for in a director, identifying high-calibre candidates, managing the interview/shortlisting process, right through to preparing the offer package," he said.
Anne-Marie Taylor, who was recently appointed partner at the company, will be leading the Search service.
She said that too often companies do not know how to go about finding a director and end up relying on suggestions from colleagues and advisors.
"This 'tap on the shoulder' approach means that companies are often limiting their options. If companies just appoint directors from within their own network, they can miss out on rich sources of talent which can bring innovation and fresh thinking to the business," Ms Taylor said.
"Diversity - age, gender, nationality, experience - is proven to contribute significantly to improved decision-making and company performance. Board Excellence has an extensive network of potential directors with a wide range of backgrounds and experience," she added.
Athleisure brand Gym Plus Coffee recently partnered with Board Excellence to successfully appoint a board chair and a non-executive director with deep industry experience.
