The Better Boards Podcast Series
The Better Boards Podcast Series is aimed at Chairs, CEOs, Non-Executive Directors, Company Secretaries, and their advisors. Each episode shares practical insights and lessons from people working inside boardrooms. It focuses on what really matters in board effectiveness and highlights actionable steps listeners can take to improve their board's performance. The show is hosted by Dr Sabine Dembkowski.
Episodes
The First Mandate is the Hardest | Katia Ciesielska, NED
Send us Fan MailA board career as a young, independent director? It is possible, even without executive experience. Learn what works to earn appointments, how to structure a portfolio of positions, and key lessons for ongoing success. In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, is joined by Katia Ciesielska. Katia is an independent non-executive director a
Beyond Governance: Understanding Human Performance in the Boardroom | Simon Laffin, Chair & NED
Send us Fan MailIs understanding the human performance of boards the missing dimension in board effectiveness? Drawing on insights from human factors research, this podcast discusses how communication, leadership, authority, cognitive bias, and group dynamics influence the quality of board decisions, and what directors can do differently.In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing
The Cold Handshake: Why Boards and Management Do Not Connect on Cyber | Dr Maya Bundt, Non-Executive Director and President of Switzerland’s National Cyber Strategy
Send us Fan MailCybersecurity is a top risk for organisations, yet many boards feel poorly informed. At the same time, executive teams feel they are reporting into a void. The reasons behind this ongoing disconnect bear close examination. In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, is joined by Dr Maya Bundt. Maya is a board Director and cyber risk expert
When Experience Isn't Enough: Governing in a World Without Precedent | Dorothy Burwell, Senior Advisor, FGS Global
Send us Fan MailRapid global change has created an unprecedented landscape. Many Boards have fallen into a reactive mode. A new research report from FGS Global highlights the challenges and offers insights to help boards govern with confidence again. In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner, is joined by Dorothy Burwell. Dorothy is Global Head of Board Advisory at FGS Gl
The Leadership Blind Spot in the Boardroom | David Grossman, CEO, The Grossman Group
Send us Fan MailNew research suggests the biggest leadership risk right now may not be bad leaders — it’s “good” ones. In fact, good leaders are both the problem and the solution: they already have the fundamentals, but they haven’t adapted to what employees need from leaders today.A study of 2,206 U.S. employees, conducted by The Grossman Group with The Harris Poll, found that 54% rated their sen
From Family Table to Board Table - Effective Governance in Family-Owned Retail Businesses | Prof Dr Philipp Hoog, Partner, BBE Handelsberatung
Send us Fan MailWhile we often think in terms of large, listed corporations, family firms account for some 70% of global GDP and 60% of global employment. They are key drivers of innovation, entrepreneurship, and long-term value creation, and effective governance of family firms warrants serious attention. In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner, is joined by Prof. Dr.
Selecting the Chair: Governance Lessons from the US and the UK | Susan Skerritt, Non-Executive Director
Send us Fan MailSelecting the Chair: Governance Lessons from the US and the UKChair succession is handled differently in the US and the UK. However, both approaches have merit, and there are key principles that matter regardless of geography. In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner, is joined by Susan Skerritt. Susan is a Non-Executive Independent Director on the boards
Beyond the Obvious: How to get Chair Succession Right | Louise Angle, Senior Managing Director, Teneo
Send us Fan MailChair succession is a pivotal moment for boards. It presents an opportunity to reflect on the organisation's future needs and steer it forward strategically. For this reason, organisations must proceed carefully in their Chair searches, eschewing the obvious in favour of what’s truly needed. In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner, is joined by Loui
From Awareness to Architecture: How Boards Can Build a Geopolitical Risk System | Colin Reed, Chief Intelligence Officer, Clock&Cloud
Send us Fan MailOnce boards prioritise managing geopolitical risk, how can they successfully move from diagnosing a problem to designing a plan of action? In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner, is once again joined by Colin Reed, Chief Intelligence Officer at Clock&Cloud, a software startup transforming how large enterprises manage geopolitical risk. Colin bring
Boardrooms and Battlegrounds: Closing the Geopolitical Risk Gap | Colin Reed, Chief Intelligence Officer, Clock&Cloud
Send us Fan MailMany boards treat geopolitics as background noise, leaving their companies exposed to unnecessary risk. Smart boards take a different approach, closing the gap and treating geopolitical risk with the same rigour as financial, cyber, and regulatory risks.In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner, is joined by Colin Reed. Colin is the Chief Intelligence Offi
Structure your board portfolio career across different life cycles of organisations | Susanne Chishti, Chair of FINTECH Circle
Send us Fan MailBeyond listed corporations, there is a vibrant world of start-ups, scale-ups, and organisations at the pre-IPO stage. What does it take to add value to these Boards, and how does the work differ from that of a listed organisation? Most importantly, how can working with these companies shape a Board portfolio career?In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner
Capital Discipline in High-Performance Enterprises: Aligning Strategy, Technology and Governance Part II | Marco Mattiacci, Global Top Executive
Send us Fan MailIn capital-intensive, brand-driven organisations, strategic ambition must be matched by disciplined governance. Effective governance links capital allocation to technology strategy, culture development, and measurable KPIs, so that speed and ambition balance with long-term enterprise value creation.In this podcast, Dr. Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of better Board
Capital Discipline in High-Performance Enterprises: Aligning Strategy, Technology and Governance Part I | Marco Mattiacci, Global Top Executive
Send us Fan MailIn capital-intensive, brand-driven organisations, strategic ambition must be matched by disciplined governance. Effective governance links capital allocation to technology strategy, culture development, and measurable KPIs, so that speed and ambition balance with long-term enterprise value creation.In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner, is joined by Ma
The Spirit of the Code: Making Comply or Explain Work in Practice | Kelvin Ernest, Senior Policy Associate, Financial Reporting Council
Send us Fan MailComply or Explain is sometimes treated as a procedural exercise. However, the true purpose is to encourage thoughtful decisions, support accountability, and promote open communication with stakeholders. In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner, is joined by Kelvin Ernest, a governance professional with extensive experience navigating evolving regulatory e
Board evaluation results - Insights from an analysis of FTSE350 annual reports | Frederik Otto, AvS, London
Send us Fan MailBetter Boards goes beyond box‑ticking. We bring together chairs, directors and governance leaders who want board effectiveness grounded in independent research and external benchmarks. Our proprietary, peer‑reviewed methodology shows how your board truly compares across all dimensions of effective boards.If you would like to join the community, experience our research‑based approac
The Route to the Top – How to become a Company Secretary? | Glenn Oborne and Connor Simms, Directors of Ingen Partners
Send us Fan MailCompany Secretary is an increasingly competitive profession. It takes a unique blend of skills and experiences to secure a senior position. Those interested will appreciate knowing what abilities to prioritise throughout a career and how to approach balancing behavioural, technical, and influencing skills. In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner, is join
The Board’s Playbook for Modern Technology Oversight | Susanne Alfs
Send us Fan MailTheory is one thing, but how can boards effectively implement cyber governance and broader technology oversight in practice? In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, is joined by Susanne Alfs. Susanne is a Non-Executive Director and Senior Technology Executive specialising in cyber governance and board-level technology oversight. Bringing both the NED lens and her executive leadershi
Fact rather than fiction - Corporate Directors and Officers are "Discretionaries" not Fiduciaries | Marc I Steinberg, Radford Professor of Law at Southern Methodist University (SMU) Dedman School of Law
Send us Fan MailBetter Boards goes beyond box‑ticking. We bring together chairs, directors and governance leaders who want board effectiveness grounded in independent research and external benchmarks. Our proprietary, peer‑reviewed methodology shows how your board truly compares across all dimensions of effective boards.If you would like to join the community, experience our research‑based approac
Family Businesses and the War for Talent | Andreas von Specht, CEO AvS Advisors
Send us Fan MailFamily businesses represent a significant majority of the European, Asian and US landscape. Yet so much that we focus on in business, governance, and search is designed for corporates.In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, is joined by Andreas von Specht. Andreas von Specht is a family shareholder and NED of Berenberg Bank, Europe’s se
Board Governance Considerations in Private Market Investments | Dr Eelco Fiole, CFO, NED
Send us Fan MailPrivate equity, private debt – private markets are absolutely the flavour of the day. Yet, despite the headlines and eye-catching numbers, very little discussion is taking place about governance in this context. In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner, is joined by Dr Eelco Fiole. He has more than 30 years of international finance experience, including t
Managing risks in highly regulated industries | Terri Duhon, Chair of Risk Committees
Send us Fan MailThe breadth, depth, and frequency of risks have increased tremendously. Serving on risk committees is particularly challenging at present, making it important to take a fresh look at the risks, risk mitigation, regulatory scrutiny, and stakeholder complexities the risk committee must balance. In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner, is joined by Terri Du
It’s not if, its when: the strategic role of Boards in the cyber-risk age | Beatrice Devillon-Cohen, Senior Independent Director and Chair of Risk Committees
Send us Fan MailCybersecurity is a core business risk that can impact the entire organisation. Boards are challenged to understand how cyber threats impact financial performance, reputation, and regulatory obligations. Boards need to build awareness of their organisation’s cyber security posture, protection measures, and incident response protocols. In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder a
Governance Experts as Non-Executive Directors: A perfect fit? | Lyn Colloff, Company Secretary
Send us Fan MailGovernance experts and Company Secretaries offer a prime, yet often overlooked, talent pool for high-quality Non-Executive Directors. But what makes them excel on Boards?In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner, speaks with Lyn Colloff, a Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute with 40 years’ experience in governance, risk, and compliance across list
Going beyond the routine change | Lan O'Connor, NED & Strategic Advisor
Send us Fan MailWhen organisations face a need for transformation, Boards must become catalysts for change. This requires specific behaviours so that Boards can successfully go beyond oversight to provide strategic leadership when it is needed most.In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner, is joined by Lan O’Connor, a global transformation leader with deep experience in
From Gatekeeper to Guide: How Governance Professionals Are Shaping the Boardrooms of Tomorrow | Erika Eliasson-Norris, CEO Beyond Governance
Send us Fan MailGovernance professionals are no longer the quiet scribes in the corner. Today, they are critical voices at the heart of boardroom decision-making. In this episode, Dr Sabine Dembkowski speaks with Erika Eliasson-Norris, CEO of Beyond Governance and author of The Secret Diary of a Company Secretary, to explore how the role has evolved and why it remains misunderstood.Through candid
Steering the Shift: Board Leadership in Times of Transformation | Lan O'Connor, NED & Strategic Advisor
Send us Fan MailWhen organisations face a need for transformation, Boards must become catalysts for change. This requires specific behaviours so that Boards can successfully go beyond oversight to provide strategic leadership when it is needed most.In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner, is joined by Lan O’Connor, a global transformation leader. Lan helped lead Capgemi
The Role of the Board in Owner-led Organisations | Tina Mavraki, NED & Strategic Advisor
Send us Fan MailOwner-led organisations are the backbone of economies worldwide. Yet when the primary stakeholder is in the room, Boards must navigate a unique set of dynamics to be effective with governance, strategy issues, and advising.In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, is joined by Tina Mavraki, who brings 27 years of board finance and natural
Overcoming misconceptions and lies in the boardroom | Professor Alex Edmonds, London Business School
Send us Fan MailWhen pressures mount, Boards often default to easy narratives. Yet, today more than ever, it is important for Boards to pursue the uncomfortable truths. Critical thinking, discernment, and strategic dissent are key advantages Boards want to cultivate and celebrate.In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, connects with Alex Edmans, Profes
10x Your Impact – How the Smartest Directors Are Using AI | Jamie Green, Founder & CEO, Tutaki
Send us Fan MailAs complexity grows and time shrinks, Board Directors are wondering how to stay ahead. AI is proving to be a performance accelerator – not just a support tool – but Boards must make an effort to incorporate it into workflows, governance, and their ongoing strategy.In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, connects with Jamie Green, Co-Fou
Beyond Minutes: Reimagining the Board Secretary in the Age of AI | Moya Heyhurst, Company Secretary
Send us Fan MailTraditionally, the role of a board secretary has been seen as a guardian of governance, the keeper of the minutes, and the facilitator of board processes. Now, with the rise of AI, conventional expectations are being challenged. The question is how those in it will choose to respond.In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, is joined by M
Can AI make better business decisions? | Professor Katja Langenbucher, Goethe University, Frankfurt
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Better Boards Podcast, Professor Katja Langenbucher explores how boards can embrace AI to future-proof their decision-making.Dr. Sabine Dembkowski speaks with Katja, a law professor at Goethe University in Frankfurt and affiliated with SciencesPo, Paris. She serves on the supervisory boards of BaFin and IEP, bringing extensive boardroom and academic experienc
Boards - What do capital markets think of them? The unfiltered perspective of a credit analyst | Anke Richter, Credit Analyst
Send us Fan MailIn an era marked by rapid change, technological disruption, geopolitical uncertainty, and economic volatility, understanding how analysts perceive boards is more important than ever. We turned to an analyst who operates independently of major financial institutions for a truly candid perspective.In this episode of the Better Boards Podcast Series, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and
Living with Uncertainty: The Importance of Transformation, Culture, and Talent | Devyani P. Vaishampayan, Remco Chair and Portfolio NED
Send us Fan MailIn recent years, transformation skills have become increasingly important at the board level, with culture and talent rising high on the agenda. Yet, there’s still a noticeable absence of HR professionals in the boardroom. Why?In this episode of the Better Boards Podcast Series, Dr. Sabine Dembkowski speaks with Devyani P. Vaishampayan, Remco Chair and NED at Norman Broadbent Plc a
Future proofing the board with AI | Moya Hayhurst, Company Secretary
Send us Fan MailArtificial intelligence (AI) can revolutionise boardrooms in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. Still, this rapid change threatens to distance boards from the companies they serve if proper care is not taken in implementing both the technology and the governance around it.In this podcast, Dr. Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, discusses
Cutting past the noise on the climate/energy transition | David Harris, Sustainable Finance Strategic Initiatives, London Stock Exchange Group
Send us Fan MailOver the last decade, climate and sustainability have become more of a focus for boards and sub-committees. However, there is currently a lot of conflicting noise around this agenda. So, there is a lot for boards to digest around this topic, making it an opportune time to take stock of where we are and what boards should consider.In this podcast, Dr. Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and
Employee representation on the board | Gabriele Bornemann, CEO Management Alliance
Send us Fan MailEmployee representation is a specific requirement for German boards, but global boards can learn from Germany. More and more boards have an employee representative, mostly a director, who brings employees’ perspectives back to the board. In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, founder and managing partner of Better Boards, discusses employee representation on the board with Gabriele
The Boardroom Tango: Where strategy meets execution | Carol Ouko-Misiko, Executive & NED
Send us Fan MailThe boardroom tango is where strategy meets execution, highlighting the dynamic dance between the board and executives in steering an organisation. But what does an executive have to do in order to really get the most out of non-executives? How does this dance between the two work? How can it be influenced and improved?In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Pa
Navigating Misjudgement: A Practical Framework for Better Board Performance | Nuala G Walsh, CEO & NED
Send us Fan MailThis episode highlights decision-making errors affecting high-stakes boards. Using concepts like bias, ‘deaf spots,’ and ‘tone-deaf leadership,’ it outlines misjudgment traps as warning signs and solutions to mental misinformation. It explores human misjudgment in boards, from ego to identity and false narratives.Dr. Sabine Dembkowski, Founder of Better Boards, discusses navigating
Selling Bold Ideas in the Boardroom | Dr Andy Palmer, CEO
Send us Fan MailHave you ever wondered how to sell a bold idea in the boardroom? Not just an idea different from what your organisation usually tends to do, but a really bold one that breaks ground in your industry? What does it take? What do you need?In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, discusses selling bold ideas in the boardroom with Dr Andy Pal
How to lead through complexity | Dr Nadine Rinck, Partner, Egon Zehnder
Send us Fan MailEvery year, the world's preeminent leadership advisory firm, Egon Zehnder, surveys CEOs to identify issues and challenges they face and how they deal with them. In this podcast, we highlight key findings and discuss the implications for CEOs and Nomination Committees challenged to align on the search criteria for CEOsIn this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing
Crisis & the Board: How to prepare for “Anything" | Barbara Lambert, Chair Audit, Risk and Nomination Committees
Send us Fan MailThere are many different types of crises, and how boards deal with them, so it is prudent to be aware of typical mistakes, what works, and what boards can do to deal well with these situations. Are there any ‘golden rules’ that can serve as a starting point to prepare a board and ensure effectiveness and performance in a crisis?In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and M
The Boardroom Awakening: Can Corporate Governance Survive the Sustainability Reckoning? | Frederik Otto, Director of Advisory and Head of Europe, AccountAbility
Send us Fan MailThe ESG narrative has become familiar but does not yet confront the challenges of a world where interest in sustainability is waning in some regions, political and economic divides are widening, and technology is reshaping the rules of the game. How can boards maintain momentum on climate and social issues when governments are focused on regulation and public interest is fractured
On the crucial relationship between the Chair and the CEO | Sir David Norgrove, Chair
Send us Fan MailThe board is responsible for appointing the CEO, and the relationship between the Chair and the CEO is crucial - but often not easy. So what matters when selecting a CEO, and how can we establish and develop a good relationship between the Chair and the CEO? In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, discusses the crucial relationship bet
Being on the Board – Keeping it Simple | Sir John Tusa
Send us Fan MailAmid global uncertainty, are boardrooms needlessly complex? Is It possible to thrive in the boardroom by keeping things simple? In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Director of Better Boards www.better-boards.com, discusses being on the board with Sir John Tusa. Sir John has been known to the public as the main presenter of BBC2's Newsnight and the Mana
The Joy Of Working On Boards In Five Continents | Christof Kutscher, Chair & CEO
Send us Fan MailMost Directors serve on boards in one or two countries. The argument often is that one Most Directors serve on boards in one or two countries. The argument often is that one has to understand the legal requirements and the cultural context. Is this the only way in our connected world?In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, reflects with
Tech Boards – What matters to investors | Irene Arias Hofman, CEO, IDB Lab
Send us Fan MailIn this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, discusses tech boards with Irene Arias Hofman, CEO of IDB Lab, the innovation and venture laboratory of the Inter-American Development Bank Group. “We do care a lot about the principles, the values, the incentives”Irene begins by outlining that when evaluating tech boards, especially in startups,
Insights into the German Corporate Governance Debate - learnings, changes and implications for Directors | Dr Cordula Heldt, Head of Corporate Governance and Company Law at the German Share Institute (Deutsches Aktieninstitut)
Send us Fan MailEvery country has its fair share of corporate failures. Afterwards, It is easy to point towards governance. Reflection and learning are essential. In this podcast, you hear from someone who has a critical governance role In Germany. You gain insights into the issues discussed and the perspectives of someone who hears daily from all players in the market - regulators, state official
Is Diversity, Equity and Inclusion bad for business? | Prof Grace Lordan, London School of Economics
Send us Fan MailRecently, there has been a surge on social media stating that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are bad for business. Some of the world’s largest firms have also significantly reduced their investment in diversity and inclusion. But what does this mean for boards that do believe DEI are good for business? Should they change how they approach this agenda, and if so, how? In t
How to master internal board evaluations that generate real insights for Directors | Chloe Barry, Company Secretary Kingfisher
Send us Fan MailCorporate Governance Codes worldwide state that an internal board evaluation shall be conducted in years one and two after a fully facilitated external evaluation. It is one of those tasks on a Company Secretariat's calendar that has to be done. But how?In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, discusses mastering internal board ev
How to get creativity and innovation into the boardroom | Sir John Tusa
Send us Fan MailMany Directors have positive intentions, want to leverage their experiences, support executives, and discuss the big picture in the boardroom. But many quickly become disillusioned, stuck in detail, ticking off boxes and agenda items rather than supporting executives and helping the organisation make a real mark. In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner
AI and Advanced Analytics – delivering value for directors and the board | Prof Bernardo Almada-Lobo, University of Porto & LTPlabs
Send us Fan MailAs board members gain awareness of the possibilities and power of AI and analytics, an almost unlimited array of potential projects, questions, or scenarios where analytics could improve outcomes arises. The challenge is how to prioritise the various opportunities. In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, discusses using AI and advanced
The death of the ESG Committee | Vicky Moffatt, CEO Chapter Zero
Send us Fan MailClimate change is not just a distant threat, but an urgent and immediate reality that is forcing fundamental change for organisations, often transforming their business models. The role of governance in enabling and guiding the urgent transition to the net zero economy has never been more crucial. In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Board
Mastering the Company Secretariat | Jason Wright, Society Secretary Nationwide
Send us Fan MailManaging an ever-growing agenda, Company Secretaries today face a plethora of issues that can pull their focus in countless directions. It's truly challenging to work effectively with the board and keep on top of the ever-changing economic, technological, and regulatory landscape. So, how can Company Secretaries maintain clarity and focus amidst their expanding responsibilitie
A balancing act: where should EMEIA boards focus for long-term success? | Andrew Hobbs, Partner EY
Send us Fan MailManaging an ever-growing agenda, boards today face a plethora of issues that can pull their focus in countless directions. How can boards maintain clarity and focus amidst their expanding scope of responsibilities, especially when it comes to the critical area of sustainability?In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner, discusses this issue with Andrew Hob
Increasing productivity through inclusion | Belton Flournoy, Managing Director, Technology Consulting practice Protiviti
Send us Fan MailDiversity and inclusion are not evenly distributed throughout an organisation, and the view at the board level may not correspond with reality further down. This creates missed opportunities and prevents companies from unlocking the true potential of their talent and their organisations. Often, firms can increase productivity by doing more to be truly inclusive.In this podcast, Dr
Experience of working with a board as a first-time CEO | Daphne Mavroudi-Chocholi, Managing Director RNIB Enterprises
Send us Fan MailBoards are complex structures, and it can be overwhelming for a first-time CEO to navigate them successfully. In this episode, we dive into the experiences of a first-time CEO, discussing the challenges she encountered and the strategies she used to handle the intricacies of board dynamics. In this episode, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, speaks
How can boards convert sustainability from a wish to a winning reality? | Andrew Hobbs, Partner EY
Send us Fan MailWhen companies face increasing uncertainty, they need to lean in and embolden management to do what is right for the business's long-term health. Nowhere is this more pertinent than on the topic of sustainability. In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, discusses how board members can help make a difference with Andrew Hobbs from
U.S. and U.K. – Two countries separated by common corporate governance practices? | Susan Skeritt, Non-Executive Director
Send us Fan MailWhat are the key differences between the U.S. and the U.K. in their approaches to corporate governance? How do these differences impact an independent/Non-Executive Director in their duties?In this podcast, with Susan Skerritt, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, discusses corporate governance practices in the U.S. and U.K.. Susan was the CEO of
What do board members need to think about to avoid being sued by the climate movement? | Donald Pols, Director Friends of the Earth, Netherlands
Send us Fan MailClimate change has transitioned from a distant environmental concern to a pressing business issue. The rhetoric between business and climate activists has hardened. Friends of the Earth in the Netherlands have sued Shell and are now in the process of suing ING. What should boards do? In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, discusses the
Behind close doors of tech start-up Boards | Yael Banjamin, CEO Snapshot and Zack Weisfeld, Vice President & General Manager Intel Ignite
Send us Fan MailThe board is a powerful asset for tech start-ups. Yet, since the interaction takes place behind closed doors, there is a lot of uncertainty about how the CEO and director dynamics play out. How open is the communication between both sides? In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, discusses tech start-up boards with Yael Benjamin, Found
Can accounting save the world and your company? | Mike Mahoney, CEO E-liability Institute
Send us Fan MailEnvironmental risks make up half the Top 10 risks over the next ten years. Climate change remains one of the most urgent challenges confronting boards in their oversight capacity. How can boards improve their oversight of climate-related risks? And what does accounting have to do with it?In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Director of Better Boards, discusse
AI - What questions do Directors need to ask? | Prof Joe Fuller, Harvard Business School
Send us Fan Mail Generative AI will profoundly impact how we work and how organisations operate. My podcast partner has said that it is the most dramatic change we have seen since controllable electricity. Yet, in our board evaluations, we see little about the systematic integration of AI in the agendas of boards. What questions do Directors need to ask in the boardroom?In this podcast, Dr Sabine
Leading an effective board | Andreas E.F. Utermann, Executive Chair Vontobel Holding AG
Send us Fan MailWhat does good look like? What does it mean to lead an effective board? These are probably two of the questions I most often hear. In our board evaluations, we see vast differences in how Chairs and boards perform.In this podcast, I, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, discusses leading an effective board with Andreas E.F. Utermann. Andreas was appo
Why a good story is mission critical for boards | Jyoti Gupta, Story teller and award winning author
Send us Fan MailA crucial yet often overlooked aspect of board effectiveness: stories. Imagine a world where numbers and strategies come alive, painting a vivid picture of your company's future. When it comes to decision-making and leadership, how can compelling narratives inspire your board and drive tangible results? The ancient art of storytelling can be your modern tool for boardroom succ
Executive Pay - Striking the right balance between Executives and stakeholders | Paul Norris, Senior Partner MM&K Limited
Send us Fan MailExecutive pay attracts attention and scrutiny as companies and society at large face the challenges of rising prices and interest rates. It is a true challenge to strike the right balance between executives and stakeholders. The big question is: How can companies strike the right balance?In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards www.better
The inspiring life of a Director | Paul Halpin, Non-Executive Director
Send us Fan MailWe all have dreams. When we sit in our offices, we probably all wonder what life would be like If we made some different choices. In this 100th podcast of the Better Boards podcast series, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, discusses the inspiring life of a Director with Paul Halpin, who, together with his wife, made conscious decisions while devel
On being an effective Non-Executive Director | Marianne Loner, Non-Executive Director
Send us Fan MailOne of the most frequently asked questions to Better Boards is “What does it take to be an effective Non-Executive Director?” This podcast will shed some light on the topic.In this podcast, Dr. Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Director of Better Boards, discusses how to be an effective Non-Executive Director with Marianne Loner. Marianne spent 35 years in an executive caree
The Board as a Team | Petri Hofste, Non-Executive Director
Send us Fan MailThe Board as a Team may be a surprising topic. Are Boards of Directors individuals in a group or a Team? If the Board is a team, who is on the team - the Execs, the Non-Executives, or both? The academic literature and practitioners are ambiguous about whether a Board is a team or not.In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, discusses the
The Retention Factor: Why Boards Need to Prioritize LGBT+ Inclusion | Emma Codd, Global Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Deloitte
Send us Fan Mail When LGBT+ employees feel their employers aren't doing enough to support LGBT+ inclusion, many are prepared to look elsewhere for organisations that do. This is one of the many stark findings from Deloitte's recently released 2023 LGBT+ Inclusion @ Work report, which explores the experiences of more than 5,400 respondents across 13 countries through the lens of both sexu
Governance - Are boards part of the problem or part of the solution? | Ralph Ward, Editor, The Corporate Board
Send us Fan MailSo much of the global discussion of corporate governance focuses on the major themes – ESG, sustainability, stakeholder rights, executive pay, and government regulation. Yet corporate board members on the boardroom front lines often wrestle with basic but crucial issues of "boardsmanship." How do the well-meaning, part-time amateurs on a board meaningfully direct and moni
On making it in the boardroom | Imran Saleem, Partner, Egon Zehnder
Send us Fan MailThe boardroom is a desirable place, and after a successful Executive career, many wish to embark on a portfolio career and serve on boards. What does it take to make it in the boardroom? In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, discusses making it in the boardroom with Imran Saleem. Imran is a Partner with Egon Zehnder in the Middle East
Building a Successful Employee Engagement Process | Louise Hardy, NED and Kevin Maguire General Counsel & Company Secretary, Crest Nicholson
Send us Fan MailThe landscape of employee relations is changing, particularly in office environments with flexible working. There are many different opinions about how organisations should approach their policies while representing their employees' diversity. The subject of employee engagement sounds simple, but is it?In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Managing Partner of Better Boards, d
Managing Governance Risks | Liz Lynkswiler, Company Secretary, Brightwell Pensions
Send us Fan MailRisk identification, ownership, and monitoring sit at the highest levels of organisations and are the ultimate responsibility of a firm's board of directors. We hear much about ESG but focus on the E and S acronyms, i.e., 'environmental' and 'social' aspects. However, risks arising from the 'G' – governance – should be at the forefront of directo
Gender equality in the workplace starts at the top | Emma Codd, Global Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, Deloitte
Send us Fan MailIn this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, discusses Deloitt´s Women @ Work report and what it means for board members, leadership, and anyone working to drive change and achieve true gender equity in the workplace with Emma Codd, Global Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for the professional services firm Deloitte. "The f
AI - Rethinking business | Karen Silverman
Send us Fan MailAI and generative AI are capturing the headlines. We know it will bring an era of rapid change, new opportunities, and new risks. Existing security protections against spoofing and phishing are now vulnerable, and employees are wondering what it all means for them. Developers of Generative AI are acknowledging the risks. So what should boards and directors be thinking about all of
How do boards preside wisely over transactions to avoid shareholder value destruction? | Dr Dean Blomson
Send us Fan MailIt is well-known that the track record for successful acquisition is poor. All kinds of studies with different methodologies generally point to the dangers of acquisitions, some claiming that as much as 70% of deals underperform. So, if the stats are generally correct, this would seem like a massive risk for those governing the enterprise. How do they beat the odds and avoid becomi
The role of the next generation in family-owned enterprises | Martin Roll
Send us Fan MailTransferring a family-owned enterprise to the next generation raises complex and emotionally charged questions. A Chinese proverb states that "wealth shall not pass three generations." The first generation builds wealth, the second manages it, and the third generation destroys it. In this podcast, Dr Sabine Dembkowski, Founder and Managing Partner of Better Boards, discus
On being an effective Director in family-owned enterprises | Martin Roll
Send us Fan MailSo much is written and said about what it means to be an effective Director. However, most are with listed organisations in mind. We aim to readdress the balance with this three-part podcast series on family-owned enterprises. In the first episode, we looked at “The role of boards in family-owned enterprises”. In this episode, we will focus on how to become an effective director in
The role of boards in family-owned enterprises | Martin Roll
Send us Fan MailFamily-owned or family-led enterprises are the backbone of thriving economies across the world. They account for the majority of companies, providing 70% of the global GDP and 60% of global employment. The long-term success of family-owned enterprises across multiple generations is neither a given nor an easy task. There are many complexities involved when ownership, management, a
Governance challenges in Africa | Tinuade Awe, CEO of NGX Regulation, a subsidiary of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc
Send us Fan MailAs companies in Africa are becoming international players in both operations and sourcing of capital, the need to meet listing requirements of foreign exchanges and appeal to international investors has elevated the importance of corporate governance in Africa. Generally, favourable economic growth expectations and lack of legacy issues mean that Africa has some advantage in having
