Women on Boards

In this episode, we speak to Timi Oni, Managing Director at BlackRock, whose career spans strategic communications, brand and reputation management, and commercialisation strategy. Timi reflects on how curiosity has guided her professional journey from shaping bold career choices to discovering the joy and purpose of her first board role at her local theatre. She shares how staying open, asking qu...

In this episode, we speak to Monica Chadha, experienced NED, Board Advisor and creative industry leader whose career has spanned diverse roles.  Monica shares her insights on how curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to take risks have shaped her journey. She highlights the importance of staying authentic in fast-changing industries and why creative thinking remains one of the most valuable t...

In this episode, Fiona Hathorn, CEO and Co-Founder of WB Directors, and Dr Malcolm McGregor, Head of Leadership Development, share practical insights on actively managing your career. They discuss key topics such as building visibility, understanding the real value of networking, creating a clear career plan, and the importance of building influence. Whether you're looking to step into leadership...

In this episode, we speak with Sadie Daryan, a Senior Marketer and Trustee at the Single Homeless Project, who landed her first board position through our guidance and resources. Sadie discusses the significant impact of role models and mentors throughout her career. She shares insights on balancing career ambitions with the importance of giving back to the community and the role passion plays in...

Laurie Benson has had a successful career as a media executive in the US and the UK. She has leveraged her experience and expertise into an extensive NED portfolio career.  She emphasises the importance of securing that first role, the value of hands-on experience in boardrooms, and the confidence to embrace opportunities even before you feel ready.

In this episode, we speak with Myfanwy Barrett, an experienced NED and Trustee, as she shares her journey to the boardroom and the wealth of experiences that shaped her career. With a background in public finance, Myfanwy holds a diverse portfolio across the pensions, housing, and cultural sectors in both public and not-for-profit organisations. She discusses the valuable lessons learned along the...

In this episode, we look back at some of the best advice shared by our members throughout 2024 on succeeding as a non-executive director. These seasoned individuals provide valuable insights on assessing board fit, intentional networking, strategic relationship building, and much more. Speakers: Kat Shenton – " How to build a portfolio career in ethical investments ." 11 Jan Yetunde Hoffman – " El...

In this episode, we speak with Carol Hagh, an experienced portfolio NED serving on both a FTSE 250 board and a FTSE All-Share board. Carol shares insights from her extensive career and journey in the boardroom. With a wealth of experience spanning digital innovation and customer and corporate strategy across diverse global markets, Carol shares how her executive background shaped her NED journey....

In this episode Lloydette Bai-Marrow, an experienced non-executive director, anti-corrpution expert, and economic crime lawyer, discusses her extensive career and board journey.  She emphasises the importance of strategic decision-making in choosing roles, building relationships, and demonstrating the value you bring to a board.

In this episode, Tracy Watkinson, an experienced Non-Executive Director and a FTSE100 Chief Operating Officer, shares the invaluable tips gained from her remarkable career and board journey. Tracy has held various community board roles - undertaken in her private time - alongside her executive career. Our journey with Tracy began at one of our in-house workshops, and she has been a valued member o...

In this episode, Monica Collings, a seasoned portfolio Non-Executive Director and award-winning former CEO, shares her experiences, challenges, and the strategies she adopted to break barriers and succeed in the boardroom. Monica highlights the importance of self-belief, representation of marginalised voices, and self-care in board roles to foster positive organisational change.

How do you create a truly inclusive company culture? In this episode, our CEO, Fiona Hathorn, is joined by Matt Duncan, Managing Director (Business Performance Improvement Leader) at Protiviti, and Dr Zandile Ndlovu, a Board Advisor and experienced Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Drawing from the themes in the third chapter of our Hidden Truth 2024 report - S trategic Approaches to People...

Traditionally, the boardroom has been seen as the domain of accountants and lawyers, but the modern board requires non-executives with a broader range of professional expertise. In this episode, we hear from Mai Fenton and Kirsten Achtelstetter, two non-executives with marketing and tech backgrounds respectively, about their experiences securing board positions. They share insights on how they dem...

In this podcast, Marcia Cantor-Grable, an experienced portfolio Non-Executive Director, shares her inspiring journey of working in executive committee and board level roles in financial services. Throughout her career, she has held various senior global and regional roles and currently serves on four financial services boards in the UK and Europe.

In this episode, Yetunde Hofmann talks about her journey to becoming an experienced portfolio Non-Executive Director and Board Mentor. She highlights the need to be intentional with networking and recognising the value you can bring to a board, regardless of where you are in your career.

In a special episode, three senior Ukranian leaders share their unique experiences of staying resilient during a crisis and discuss the recently launched Women on Boards Ukraine Network. Olga Ustynova, Nataliya Mykolska, non-executive member of the Supervisory Board of Ukrhydroenergo and Nina Dombrowska, co-founder of Women on Boards Ukraine, provide valuable insights into the challenges they face...

In this episode, our Co-Founder and Executive Director speaks to Katrina Shenton on her unique journey to the boardroom as an ethical investments professional. Katrina highlights the importance of choosing boards that align with her values and passions and shares the lessons learned during her transition to becoming a portfolio NED.

In this episode our CEO Fiona Hathorn catches up with experienced NED and CEO, and Women on Boards member, Peju Adebajo. Peju shares her journey of becoming a portfolio NED from the starting point of arriving in the UK and having to build up a network to begin her campaign of securing a NED role using all the resources she could, including Women on Boards. 

In this podcast we hear from Sue Douthwaite, Chair of Nexa Finance and NHS Business Service Authority, and Sarah Heenan, Chair of Regents Opera - two members who stepped into Chair roles in 2022 about their experience of making the transition, and the challenges and rewards they are finding. They also share their journey to securing the positions, and what they learnt along the way.  

Episode 2 of our Bursary Programme mini-series podcast special! In this episode, Fiona Hathorn, CEO and Co-Founder at Women on Boards UK, was delighted to speak with Bami Adenipekun and Marianna Sikorowska about why they applied for the bursary, how they found it and what their plans are for the future. We hope you enjoy listening to this episode as they share their inspiring and very different ex...

Episode 1 of 2 in our Bursary Programme mini series. In this first episode, Fiona Hathorn, CEO and Co-Founder of Women on Boards UK, catches up with Rituja Rao and Nicky Neal-Smith about why they applied for the bursary, how they found it and what their plans are for the future. The Women on Boards UK Bursary Programme is designed to help women who would not otherwise be able to afford our support...

Rachel Tranter, Founder and Executive Director, Women on Boards UK, meets with Ama Ocansey, UK Head of Diversity and Inclusion for BNP Paribas. BNP Paribas are one of our corporate partners who actively encourage employees to develop non-executive experience as part of their career development. As well as sitting in a non-executive capacity on internal BNP Paribas boards, Ama is also a board membe...

Episode 10 of our Ten for Ten podcast mini series. In this Episode, Fiona Hathorn, CEO and Founder of Women on Boards UK, meets with Sally Duckworth. Sally is a CEO, Portfolio NED and Women on Boards Ambassador and Workshop Presenter. Sally is Chair of Stormagic Ltd, a Non-Executive Director of Mobeus Income and Growth 2 VCT and a Non-Executive at JP Morgan Japanese Investment Trust Ltd. More rece...

Episode 9 of our Ten for Ten podcast mini series. In this episode, Fiona Hathorn, CEO and Founder of Women on Boards UK, meets with member June Aitken. June is an experienced Portfolio Non-Executive Director and an Investor.  June currently holds NED positions with the following organisations, JP Morgan Asia Growth and Income, Greengage, CC Japan Income & Growth Trust plc and BBGI Global Infrastru...

Episode 8 of our Ten for Ten podcast mini series. In this episode, Fiona Hathorn, CEO and Founder of Women on Boards UK meets with member, Jacqui Ferguson. Jacqui is an experienced non-executive director in multiple industries and a former divisional CEO from the technology industry. Jacqui's current roles include the positions of Chair of Remco and NED at Wood plc, Senior Independent Director at...