Course designed to get more women on boards produces 40th graduate
A course designed to get more women on boards has just produced its 40th graduate. Last week Community Housing Cymru’s Governance Conference hosted the third graduation ceremony for Women Lead the Board, a programme designed to help achieve Welsh Government’s and the Welsh housing sector’s target of gender balanced boards.
Since 2014 this landmark programme has been providing an in depth grounding in theory and practice, and delivering results for its participants and their housing associations. Graduates have made valuable strategic contributions to organisations in the not for profit sector, in particular in housing, bringing increased knowledge, improved skillsets, and greater confidence in the boardroom. They have been snapped up for board roles, appointed as Chairs and moved on to public appointments.
Women Lead the Board is part of a suite of Effective Board Member programmes from The Governance Forum and delivered by Central Consultancy & Training. Expertly facilitated, it includes inspirational speakers from inside and outside housing, and provides a range of high quality learning materials to suit the diverse groups of women it attracts. Similar programmes provide routes to Board membership for young professionals and sportspeople.
Helen White, Chair of the Regulatory Board for Wales said “Having been a Board member for a number of years I know it is both a rewarding and challenging role. This programme has proved to be a brilliant way of helping to build the confidence and skills of potential women board members”.
Stuart Ropke, Chief Executive of CHC who presented the successful graduates with their well earned certificates said: “56% of housing association CEOs in Wales are female and we are striving for gender balance in the board room too. Initiatives such as ‘Women lead the board’ are really important to give delegates the confidence and capability to get their first board position or step up to more senior roles.”
One graduate said:
“This was one of the most inspirational courses that I have had the pleasure to attend. I’ve realised the difference I can make. It provided real clarity about what good governance looks like. It has inspired me to crack on and make changes to both my non-executive and executive careers. The facilitators are so knowledgeable and engaging about their field, but the course’s value was really strengthened by the quality of the other women attending and of the guest speakers. I have never been on a women only course before, and it was really helpful to discuss experiences with the other delegates. It has given me confidence to challenge more in a Board room setting and to speak up more and find my voice. I will be using the tools and techniques I’ve learned for a long time to come. Thank you.”
The next Women Lead the Board programme takes place in Cardiff on 5th and 6th October 2018, and 18th and 19th January 2019.
Additional Information
Course info: http://www.centralconsultancy.co.uk/women-lead-the-board.html and http://www.effectiveboardmember.co.uk/
For further information please contact:
Kate Goodall, Business Manager
Central Consultancy and Training
Tel: 0121 285 6161
Mobile: 07759 491910
Web: www.centralconsultancy.co.uk
Email: kate.goodall@centralconsultancy.co.uk