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The Catch-22 of Becoming a Non-Executive Director (NED)

April 02, 2026 / 01:05

This episode discusses the challenges of obtaining Non-Executive Director (NED) roles, the importance of prior experience, and strategies for gaining that experience.

The conversation highlights the catch-22 situation where most NED positions require previous experience, making it difficult for newcomers to enter the field. The speaker shares their own experience of being interviewed for NED roles after having secured one.

Listeners are advised to seek trustee roles or other board positions while in executive roles to build the necessary experience. This proactive approach can facilitate a smoother transition to a portfolio career.

TL;DR

The episode addresses the catch-22 of gaining NED experience and strategies to overcome it.

Episode

1:05
00:00:00
I'm kind of laughing, smiling, because
00:00:02
it's the catch-22.
00:00:03
>> [laughter]
00:00:04
>> Virtually every NED position that's
00:00:06
being advertised, they say you have to
00:00:09
have previous NED experience. It's a
00:00:11
catch-22. How do you get that
00:00:13
experience? And so [laughter]
00:00:15
So, ironically, yes, I'm now
00:00:18
getting interviewed for roles, other NED
00:00:22
roles, because I've already got one.
00:00:24
So, your point is very well made. It is
00:00:27
difficult. The suggestion I have for
00:00:28
people is if they're in a current
00:00:31
executive role and they have capacity to
00:00:35
do a trustee role or some other type of
00:00:39
board role,
00:00:41
do it. And get that experience early on,
00:00:44
because it makes it a lot easier later
00:00:47
if you are wanting to transition to a
00:00:49
portfolio career. If you've got the
00:00:51
experience, you're going to be able to
00:00:52
get more of those types of roles,
00:00:55
because you've demonstrated your
00:00:56
capability.
00:00:58
>> [music]
00:01:02
[music]

Episode Highlights

  • Navigating NED Roles
    The challenge of gaining NED experience is a common catch-22. 'How do you get that experience?'
    “It's the catch-22.”
    @ 00m 02s
    April 02, 2026
  • Gaining Experience Early
    Advice for aspiring board members: take on trustee roles to build experience. 'Do it.'
    “If you've got the experience, you're going to be able to get more roles.”
    @ 00m 51s
    April 02, 2026

Episode Quotes

  • It's the catch-22.
    The Catch-22 of Becoming a Non-Executive Director (NED)
  • How do you get that experience?
    The Catch-22 of Becoming a Non-Executive Director (NED)
  • If you've got the experience, you're going to be able to get more roles.
    The Catch-22 of Becoming a Non-Executive Director (NED)

Key Moments

  • Catch-2200:02
  • Board Roles00:39
  • Experience Matters00:51

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