Recruiting directors

Choosing a director

Choosing the right directors is essential. They can be expensive to have, so they must bring significant and added benefits and skills to the business.

For example, if you run a technology business but don't have a marketing background, it makes good business sense to choose a director with marketing skills. Creating a chart to determine what skills your business needs to move ahead can be helpful. List those skills that your management already has and those you need to bring on board. Identify your ideal selection criteria, eg x years' experience in y industry, qualified to z level etc.

Ideally, directors will:

• bring new and specialist skills and expertise or a deep understanding of the business' product or market
• be able to lead and motivate staff
• be suitable for representing the business at industry events, customer meetings and shareholder briefings
• have a network of contacts within the industry and introduce potential partners and customers to the business

Picking the right person can vastly improve decision making on the board, and increase its chances of acting in the best interests of its long-term security and success.

When choosing non-executive directors, there are other qualities that are worth looking for, including:

• independence of mind
• impartiality
• wide experience
• proven business acumen
• good judgement

It is important to consider the balance of skills, experience and personalities when putting together a board. It is also worthwhile considering whether potential directors will fit with the existing business culture.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• The different types of director
• Structuring the board
• Choosing a director
• The recruitment process
• Appointing and remunerating directors
• Get the most from your directors
• Here's how I recruited directors with different and complementary skills