Preparing an Effective Board Performance Review

High performing boards undertake regular, methodical and forensic reviews of their own effectiveness, assessing their capacity to deliver the long-term objectives of their organisations.

In addition to being a requirement for many funded partners, the board performance review process is an essential tool for strengthening leadership, culture and strategic oversight. A well thought-out review, fully bought into by all stakeholders and implemented in a prompt and timely manner, can generate important insight into the effectiveness of the board and demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement at the top of the organisation.

These reviews may take a number of forms and can be intensive, time-consuming and in some cases expensive. Such factors can sometimes deter organisations from embarking on the review process.

This three-part course will help you plan, procure and carry out both an internal review and an externally facilitated board performance review.

You will receive:

• a delegate pack containing notes and presentation slides
• a digital badge confirming your attendance

All materials and support are framed against relevant Home Nation sports governance codes which set out the governance standards required of organisations seeking to receive public funds from the Sports Councils.

Who is this course for?

This is aimed at those with the responsibility for organising, conducting or procuring a board performance review. This includes:

• Chairs, Vice-Chairs and Senior Independent Directors
• Governance leads
• Non-Executive Directors
• Executive Director with a seat on the board

Online Programme

This training is delivered via three online sessions. Attendance at each is required to complete the course.

Using an interactive platform, the workshop will enable the participants to:

Session 1

• Reflect on their organisation’s current approach to board performance reviews, and the impact of 
  previously completed evaluations 
• Explore the rationale for a board performance review and why some sports organisations face challenges initiating and resourcing them
• Discuss different review options including external and internal evaluations, and 
  methodologies that can be applied to achieve specified outcomes

Session 2

• Consider how to achieve board and executive support, with a focus on the roles of the Chair, Senior Independent Director, governance lead and individual board members
• Share ideas and best practice, drawing on the expertise and experiences of other participants and invited guests

Session 3

• Understand the procurement process for an external review including setting the scope, invitation to quote, selecting a provider and project management
• Employ approaches to implementation of review recommendations and governance action planning

Tutor - Amanda Bennett

Amanda is a globally recognised leader who has designed and managed sector leading governance, inclusion and performance strategies. She has worked with over 100 different sports bodies across the UK, Ireland and Europe including The Football Association, 
International Paralympic Committee, Welsh Shooting, Scottish Hockey and British Judo. She has also worked with all four home rugby unions and World Rugby, and all five Sports Councils in the UK. 

Amanda has conducted board effectiveness reviews with a range of sports bodies and produced, on behalf of the Sports Governance Academy, related evaluation and board  performance resources tailored for the sector. She also carried out an extensive review of The Football Association County FAs boards’ composition and effectiveness.

With a background in performance sport, Amanda has also undertaken reviews of the Welsh Rugby Union and Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) women’s performance programmes, and the IRFU women’s game strategy.

Amanda founded Fairplay Ltd in 2013 with the aim of supporting sports bodies to evolve, grow and innovate in order to face the challenges of an ever changing environment. With a focus on leadership, governance and inclusion, she has enabled bodies of all sizes to make small and seismic changes to their organisations to achieve long-term goals and sustainability.

FairPlay Ltd has a reputation for exceptional sport sector intelligence, tailored support delivered with integrity and professionalism, and excellence in business conduct.

Upcoming dates