Non-Executive Directors Must Challenge Boards

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Byline: Anthony Evans

NON-executive directors are called upon by management teams in a number of different ways; to add an experienced independent voice to the board, to supervise the capability and performance of management, to weigh strategic goals against short-term decisions and at times simply to act as a sounding board to executive directors.

The role of a non-executive director depends on his or her experience and abilities. Critically, however, it also depends on the executive members of the board allowing the non-executive director to fulfil the role properly. Dangers can arise for non-executive directors where they do not, or are not permitted, to do this. …