The main added benefits for a board in recruiting former Boardroom Apprentices is having a new member with recent governance training who is ready to make an immediate impact, bringing additional skills, knowledge and expertise into the board from their own personal and professional background, stimulating enthusiasm and fresh thinking.
‘They have always brought fresh perspectives and there has been real exchange of learning and knowledge.’
‘A more curious voice.’
‘They bring a good quality of engagement on the board – stronger, more vocal and fully participative.’
‘The Boardroom Apprentice came with curiosity to the project which was refreshing and helped us to look at ourselves as a board.’
Former Boardroom Apprentices are contributing to those boards that need to improve their effectiveness by participating fully, applying their understanding of governance, questioning and challenging, and bringing specific knowledge and skills to key areas of organisational effectiveness.
‘Yes, they bring a good discipline in terms of attendance at meetings, providing feedback on papers (having read the papers and considered them carefully in advance of the meeting). These good behaviours bring effectiveness, helping us to keep to the agenda and on time.’
‘They turn up. They read the papers. They are very positive contributors to discussions and decision making.’
The investment in Boardroom Apprentice is delivering benefits and value for public and third sector boards by increasing the number and quality of board-ready board members. The programme is good value for money, in terms of the cost per head, in comparison to similar training programmes. Further evidence of the impact of the programme could be provided by quantifying the full cost against the value of outcomes to indicate the social value and return on investment.
They engage actively in the work of the board sub-committees; They are not afraid to challenge, ask important questions or to make suggestions. They have brought up-to-date knowledge and experience of finance, accounting, risk management, strategy, IT and public sector working to the board.’
