The Independent Director

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiv

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Gerry Brown

   Pages 1-8

3. Executive Experience

   • Gerry Brown

   Pages 9-21

4. Case Studies

   • Gerry Brown

   Pages 22-117

5. Themes

   • Gerry Brown

   Pages 118-257

6. Conclusion

   • Gerry Brown

   Pages 258-265

7. Building a Portfolio

   • Gerry Brown

   Pages 266-271

8. Back Matter

   Pages 272-289

   PDF

Non-executive directors play a very important role in modern business. Providing a rare emphasis on 'soft skills', culture and relationship building, this comprehensive guide offers a unique insight into what it's actually like to be a non-executive director, backed up by global case studies, research and interviews.

• independent director
• non-executive director
• business
• globalization
• Portfolio
• strategy

“The Independent Director is hugely timely, and contains a wealth of guidance and case studies built on decades of real market experience. Written by a practitioner, with the help of 30 experienced industrialists. The Independent Director provides a fascinating and honest account of the opportunities and pitfalls of the life as an Independent Director. A must read for the corporate world.” (Credit Control, January-February, 2017)

“‘The purpose of this book is to explain what independent directors do, how they do it, and why. … It goes on to explore key themes that are critical issues for boards. The book is aimed at people who are interested in becoming independent directors themselves one day, or who simply want to know more about the role and what it entails. It is my hope also that some serving independent directors will also find it useful.’” (David Marx, David Marx Book Reviews, davidmarxbookreviews.wordpress.com, August, 2016)

'Gerry Brown has delivered a timely and excellent resource that should be essential reading for all existing and aspiring Independent Directors, and for all those involved in executive business education. The text articulately builds compelling, practical and comprehensive guidance to improve the quality of board performance, at a time when responsible business leadership is becoming ever more crucial. Through the case studies and detailed accounts, drawn from deep personal experience, Gerry draws out the lessons and themes in a uniquely accessible and educational way. The text strikes a measured balance of both the challenges but also the positive strategic influence that the Independent Director can, and should, bring to a wide range of organisations. Gerry's book is set to ignite debate and contribute significantly to better practice in board directorship in the coming years, and should be compulsory reading in all Business Schools.'

- Malcolm Kirkup, Professorial Director MBA Programmes and Director of Educational Innovation, University of Edinburgh Business School

'Mr Brown is an experienced director who has sat on or chaired many boards, and his book draws on his varied experience to offer advice to aspiring board directors Several of the book's top tips are interesting, but Mr Brown's thoughts on the business of 'challenge' that is, questioning and disagreeing are the most insightful.'

-Financial Times

'This book is a lively and thought provoking read which rightly acknowledges the increasingly central role of the independent director on company boards. It provides an accessible guide to what independent directors do, how they do it and why. Drawing on numerous real-life case studies, it demonstrates the variety and complexity of the dilemmas faced by the independent directors. It will be useful both to those who sit on boards and those who wish to know more about this increasingly important component of modern corporate governance.'

-Dr. Roger Barker, Director of Corporate Governance and Professional Standards, Institute of Directors

'I thought there was no justification for another business book, least of all on corporate governance. I was wrong. Gerry Brown offers a rare mixture, deep thinking combined with practical experience, tested and conveyed via a rich array of eclectic corporate cultures and against different business cycles. No business problem is unique; a good independent director with the right chemistry operating in an appropriate corporate culture can prevent avoidable mistakes and mitigate others. Whether setting out as an independent director or you are a seasoned traveller, this book is a must read.'

-Peter Waine, Director, Hanson Green

"A fascinating and honest account of the opportunities and pitfalls of life as an Independent Director. Gerry Brown has a unique blend of executive and non-executive experience and his book brims with authority and useful tips. For those of uson Boards, The Independent Director is a must read."

-Hugh Lenon, Chairman, Phoenix Equity Partners

'Gerry Brown has it right. In his introduction to his book The Independent Director, he observes that there are a great many books on governance and legal issues for independent directors. However, these books are handbooks that attempt to keep independent directors out of trouble. There is little that has been written for independent directors on the affirmative side. Gerry Brown has something novel to offer: How about a director that moves the company forward? His book offers the details of case studies as a foundation for themes that provide specific tools, in word and chart form, to help directors work with management to develop a strategic focus and move the company forward. The book is a welcome addition to the resources for independent directors and provides boards, and directors with the tools and insights they need to contribute to business success.'

-MarianneM. Jennings, Professor Emeritus, Legal and Ethical Studies in Business, Arizona State University

Gerry Brown is currently Chairman of Novaquest Capital Management, a private equity firm focused on life sciences. Prior to this, he was Chairman of NFT Distribution Ltd and Senior Independent Director of Keller plc, the global leader in ground engineering. He was also Chairman of Biocompatibles International plc; the Senior Independent Director at Forth Ports plc; and he represented 3i on the Board of Vantec Corporation - a MBO from Nissan in Japan - until the very successful exit. Previous other independent directorships include Chairman of Upol Ltd, and Director of CH Jones Ltd, Michael Gerson Ltd and Datrontech plc. Gerry has also been an Independent Director of Quintiles, the largest global provider of bio pharmaceutical development and commercial outsourcing services.

Prior to his career as a Chairman/ Independent Director he was for many years an international senior business executive working in supply chain management, covering a variety of market sectors. He served asOperations Director of Exel plc (now DHL), was a Board member of TDG plc and was Chairman of Europe for Tibbett and Britten plc. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics. He is a Board Mentor with Critical Eye and is a member of the Council of the University of Exeter.

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