This website is currently in BETA

Business Focus >>

The new manufacturers The new manufacturers

A great British renaissance has been taking place. From Aberdeen to the West Country, the zing is back in manufacturing. It’s about time this spectacular story was told.

  • hot
  • hot 100
  • 50 to watch in mobile
  • Entrepreneurs Summit

Ask Timpo: picking non-executives

by John Timpson - Thursday, 6th September 2007 -

Are you looking for a non-executive because you want one or because you have been told you ought to have one?

If the new appointment is to satisfy the outside world, you need to find someone who looks good and has connections.

In this case you might need a headhunter. If the decision is purely for your own reasons, you can probably find the right person close at hand. Despite their image, lawyers, bankers and accountants can play a useful role.

Wherever your non-exec comes from, arrange a long courtship before you tie the knot.

Only pick someone whose company you would enjoy at dinner and who is respected by your partner. Make sure your candidate meets all the directors and gets their approval.

You must be satisfied that they really have the commitment, not just to read the papers and turn up for meetings, but to do some real thinking on your behalf.

Even if you’re convinced you have found a friend for life, put him on a one-year contract to begin with.

Close X

Leave a comment


Name:
Email:
Comment:
  I have read and understand the terms and conditions
 

Please click the post button only once - your comment will not be published immediately

BUSINESS NEWS >>

New blood shakes up family business

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - July 04, 2008 12:39pm GMT

When Tim Perutz joined the family business, Nimlok was in poor shape. Within two years he’d taken the firm into profit, and cracked 55 countries worldwide.

"Fuel duty will cripple us"

By Kate Pritchard - July 04, 2008 12:28pm GMT

This week, hauliers descended upon the capital, sounding their horns in protest of the rate of fuel duty and waving banners reading “Truck off”. “If this situation continues, it will cripple us, if not ruin us,” says transport entrepreneur Bill Hockin.

Grass Roots entrepreneur receives an MBE for social responsibility

By Kate Pritchard - July 03, 2008 5:24pm GMT

David Evans set up Herfordshire-based performance improvement firm Grass Roots in the eighties. Today, he turns over a whopping £247m, employs over 1,000 people and has just become one of only three people in the country to receive an MBE for services to CSR.

Foresight invests in Silvigen

By Real Deals & Real Business - July 03, 2008 3:45pm GMT

Silvigen, a supplier of biomass fuels for use in the power industry, will use £1.75m from Foresight to finance the development of a processing plant in Goole, North Humberside.

Countdown to Human Capital Awards

By Catherine Woods - July 03, 2008 3:38pm GMT

At last year’s CBI/Real Business Human Capital Awards, prison administrator Vicky O’Dea was crowned the ‘people’s champion’.

Brochures on Saving and investing

BUSINESS COMMENT >>

Lee McQueen pulls a sickie

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - July 02, 2008 2:55pm GMT

First day on the job and Apprentice winner McQueen has been struck down by a flu-like virus.

Look out Boris! Sir Alan for Mayor?!

By Ally Papasodaro - June 27, 2008 4:10pm GMT

Sir Alan Sugar has been mooted as a possible labour candidate for Mayor of London, and the grizzly entrepreneur is up for the challenge.

The world's first Tibetan consumer brand?

By Matthew Rock - June 26, 2008 4:41pm GMT

Bizarre.

Elnaugh Vs. Paphitis. The Dragons are at war

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - June 26, 2008 2:45pm GMT

When Theo Paphitis suggested all women’s brains “turn to mush” when they get pregnant, fellow Dragon Rachel Elnaugh, entrepreneur and mother-of-five, breathed fire and brimstone.

I’m so excited. And I just can’t hide it.

By Rebecca Burn-Callander - June 25, 2008 11:09am GMT

Anyone else gearing up to go wild over the new domain name changes? No? Just think of the wit, variety and confusion it will bring to the world wide web.

Business Comment 

Click here to sign up for the Real Business newsletter
Real Business Front Cover