Notes from a non-executive director

A series of articles looking at practical issues and problems that arise on boards.

1. Becoming a non-executive director
   1. What you need to know for your first NED interview
   2. How to choose your first NED role
   3. How to assess your NED Offer Letter
   4. Using the annual report for your due diligence (the Carillion example)
2.  Learning to be a non-executive director
   1. Your first 100 days as an NED
   2. “Marking our homework” – why execs resent non-execs
   3. What if you have no financial experience?
   4. What’s all the fuss about cash?
   5. What’s your favourite part of being a non-executive?
3. Things it’s worth knowing as a non-executive director
   1. What are pre-emption right and why do they matter?
   2. What are dividends?
   3. To buy or not to buy – share buybacks or dividends?
   4. Escape from the Rock. Lessons from the Northern Rock failure.
   5. The collapse of Carillion. Lessons to be learned.
4. What to do if your company gets bid for
   1. What if you get an unsolicited approach for the company?
   2. Let battle commence. The unsolicited approach
   3. Just say ‘No’ – Assessing an offer for the company
5. Difficult issues that board sometimes face
   1. Is management telling the whole story?
   2. Is someone getting emotional?