A company created to support non-executive and independent directors, chairs, trustees, and the organisations around them has been launched by a group of experienced business leaders.
NEDness has been founded by Julia Warrander, who is leading the business as its chief executive officer alongside chief operating officer Nanette van Vliet, chief commercial officer Tom Noel and chief communications officer Peggy Curley.
It seeks to bring together “accessible insight, practical guidance, peer learning, and useful connections for people working in and around the boardroom”.
Ms Warrander identified a gap in accessible support following her transition from executive leadership roles into advisory and non-executive positions, noticing that there was little free guidance available to help individuals develop what she described as “nedness”; the “qualities, mindset, independent thinking, constructive challenge, and governance wisdom required to be an effective non-executive director”.
NEDness is for anyone working towards their first appointment, finding their feet on a board, managing a portfolio of roles, serving as a trustee, or looking to strengthen their organisation’s governance with non-executive expertise
NEDNESS CEO Julia Warrander
NEDness provides a free peer-learning environment, where aspiring and experienced board members can enhance their skills, build confidence, share experiences and learn from others working in and around governance and leadership.
Ms Warrander said: “NEDness is for anyone working towards their first appointment, finding their feet on a board, managing a portfolio of roles, serving as a trustee, or looking to strengthen their organisation’s governance with non-executive expertise.”
She continued: “We created it to make governance more accessible, practical, and connected, and to help people build the confidence and capability they need to contribute effectively to modern boards.
“Our ambition is to bring together what has often been a fragmented market and create a community where people can learn, share experiences, and strengthen governance together.”
The community has already attracted participants from Australia, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United States.
