What my first year as a Third Sector NED taught me

What has stood out most over this first year is the complexity of governance in small but mighty organisations. Charities often achieve outsized impact with limited resources, which means every decision carries weight. Oversight isn’t just about strategy and compliance; it’s also about supporting teams as they navigate real-world challenges, sometimes in difficult circumstances.

I’ve learned that being an effective NED requires:

• Listening deeply, especially when facing internal challenges.
• Balancing support with healthy challenge for the executive team.
• Keeping sight of long-term impact while helping to manage day-to-day realities.
• Appreciating the dedication of staff and volunteers who deliver change on the ground.

This first year has reminded me that good governance is not about sitting at a distance – it’s about engaging thoughtfully, asking the right questions, and ensuring the organisation can thrive in both calm and turbulent times.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute, to learn, and to see first-hand the difference this charity makes.

The IoD offers a broad range of Podcasts incredibly helpful to help Directors navigate the challenges of Board roles.  As I was onboarding I found the podcast “Are boards managing risks effectively?” particularly insightful and would recommend it to anyone joining a first board role.

The Director Podcast covers business trends policy, AI, economy, leadership and the Directors’ Briefing Podcast (focusing on governance, economic confidence, and specific policy impacts like the Audit & Governance reforms). These podcasts feature expert interviews with IoD policy leads, economists, and business leaders, providing insights on current UK economic landscapes, future risks, sustainable business, and key governance developments. You can find them on the IoD’s website under their podcast section and on Spotify.

I would also recommend checking out the newly published report “NEDs Reimagined: A post-Higgs review of the role and contribution of non-executive directors”, a landmark report from the IoD’s independent Commission setting out a fundamental rethink of what makes boards effective in today’s complex business environment.