With workforce issues rising up the corporate agenda, there is a growing need for expertise around people matters on boards. Many of the challenges currently faced by organisations come down to people management, including hybrid working, closing skills gaps, talent attraction and retention, EDI and workforce mental health.
It’s therefore not surprising that CIPD research suggests an increasing openness from hiring chairs around appointing people professionals as non-executive directors.
Senior HR leaders bring expertise to boards in the following critical areas:
- remuneration
- succession planning
- people data
- equality, diversity and inclusion
- organisational change
- team dynamics
- general leadership and strategic accountability.
As one HR director-turned-NED explains:
"I noticed in the early years [of being a NED] that the board didn’t understand the strategic importance of the people agenda. And the HR profession suffered because of that. Now there is more recognition about the importance of the people agenda…I’m beginning to hear people say: 'I need somebody who understands how I move my people, this large, monolithic global organisation, from where it was to where I need it to be.'"
So, if you are an HR leader with aspirations to build a portfolio career of non-executive directorships, what do you need to consider and how do you position yourself for success?
We interviewed six HR leaders about their transition to non-executive director. They give advice for HR leaders on:
- what to expect from a NED position
- how to find your first NED role
- what key milestones in their careers have given them the skills they needed
- how to add value from day one when you’re in position.
Read our case studies below.
CIPD Trust
Tackling barriers to work today whilst creating inclusive workplaces of tomorrow.
![](/globalassets/media/knowledge/knowledge-hub/factsheets/2023-a-view-of-meeting-room-during-work6.jpg?width=10&height=6&quality=80&rxy=0.5%2c0.5&rmode=crop)
The basics of leadership and how to develop leaders in the workplace
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22 Apr, 2024
The CIPD celebrates International HR Day 2024![](/globalassets/media/knowledge/knowledge-hub/factsheets/2023-hr-on-individual-meeting7.jpg?width=10&height=6&quality=80&rxy=0.5%2c0.5&rmode=crop)
Learn what modern slavery is, as well as HR's role in preventing and tackling it
![](/globalassets/media/knowledge/knowledge-hub/thought-leadership/2023-images/2023-trustworthy-leadership.png?width=10&height=6&quality=80&rxy=0.5%2c0.5&rmode=crop)
Explore the CIPD’s point of view on responsible business, including recommendations for employers
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Ministry of Justice builds leadership capability, cohesion and mutual trust across its HR leadership team
![](/globalassets/media/marketing/for-organisations/who-we-work-with/biffa_whatiff_portrait_image_2.jpg?width=10&height=6&quality=80&rxy=0.5%2c0.5&rmode=crop)
How Biffa partnered with the CIPD to achieve full endorsement of its new management development programme
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This group of hospitals and community facilities developed a holistic Well Women Strategy to provide support beyond parents and carers
![Photograph of Victoria Smith, HR Director and Head of the HR Profession in Defence, UK Ministry of Defence](/globalassets/media/marketing/for-organisations/who-we-work-with/victoria-smith-mod-450x450.png?width=10&height=6&quality=80&rxy=0.43%2c0.41&rmode=crop)
How the CIPD is partnering with the UK Ministry of Defence to target workforce planning capability