The Role of a Good Chair: Guiding the Board to Success

The role of the Chair is pivotal in ensuring a well-functioning, effective and harmonious company board (Board). For our corporate clients, understanding the nuances of this leadership position can help establish strong governance, drive strategic clarity, and foster better relationships between key stakeholders. 

Below, we set out the framework for four critical aspects of being an effective Chair, alongside practical guidance for navigating the challenges of what can be a demanding yet rewarding role. In the coming weeks, we will elaborate on all of these with our top tips.

Facilitating Board meetings effectively

A well-chaired Board meeting is the foundation of productive governance. The Chair should:

• Set the agenda: collaborate with the company secretary to ensure the agenda prioritises strategic discussions and avoids unnecessary detail.
• Encourage diverse contributions: ensure all Board members feel heard, creating an environment where constructive debate thrives.
• Maintain focus: guide the meeting with a clear structure, adhering to time limits and steering discussions back on track when they drift.
• Ensure clarity of outcomes: summarise discussions, confirm decisions and delegate follow-up actions effectively.

A skilled Chair can balance robust discussions with decisive action, ensuring meetings are both efficient and impactful.

Managing difficult Board members

Board dynamics can occasionally become strained, especially when strong personalities or conflicting views are at play. A good Chair should:

• Address issues early: speak privately with difficult Board members to understand their concerns and manage behaviour constructively.
• Focus on the mission: remind all members of their shared responsibility to serve the company’s interests rather than personal agendas.
• Foster collaboration: use tools such as facilitation training or mediation to help resolve conflicts.
• Know when to escalate: in cases of persistent disruption, the Chair should liase with governance experts or consider recommending replacement if behaviour undermines the Board’s effectiveness.

By handling tensions swiftly and diplomatically, the Chair preserves the cohesion and professionalism of the Board.

Bridging the Board and the Senior Leadership Team

The relationship between the Board and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) is critical for strategic alignment. The Chair plays a key role in ensuring this connection functions smoothly by:

• Acting as a conduit: providing the SLT with a clear understanding of Board expectations and delivering accurate insights from the SLT to the Board.
• Balancing oversight and autonomy: supporting the SLT in delivering on strategic goals without micromanaging.
• Building trust: establishing a regular cadence of communication between the CEO and the Chair to create a collaborative relationship.
• Encouraging accountability: setting performance expectations for the SLT and facilitating transparent reporting to the Board.

A strong Chair ensures that both the Board and SLT operate in synergy to achieve long-term success.

Navigating shareholder relations and strategy

Significant shareholders can bring both opportunity and complexity to Board strategy. The Chair must adeptly manage these relationships whilst safeguarding the Board’s independence:

• Engage early and often: proactively communicate with key shareholders to align their expectations with the company’s strategic direction.
• Balance competing priorities: navigate tensions between shareholder interests and long-term objectives, ensuring that decisions benefit the business as a whole.
• Protect Board independence: encourage transparency whilst ensuring shareholders respect the Board's authority to manage operations.
• Mediate during disputes: act as a neutral party to address shareholder concerns and prevent them from derailing the company’s strategy.

By fostering mutual understanding and respect, the Chair ensures shareholders remain supportive partners in the company’s growth.

Beyond the Basics: Leadership for the Future

In addition to these core responsibilities, Chairs must stay ahead of emerging governance trends. Current priorities include fostering ESG alignment, ensuring diversity and inclusion within the Board, and embracing technological innovation to drive informed decision-making.

A good Chair is not just a facilitator but a strategist, a mediator, and a leader. By mastering these roles, they can guide the Board and the wider business towards enduring success.

Boardside Law works closely with Chairs and Boards to navigate governance challenges, shareholder relationships, and strategic decision-making. If you would like to learn more about how we can support your leadership team, or for strategic employment concerns, please contact Richard at  rport@boardside.co.uk, or Sarah at  spodesta@boardside.co.uk