Issues

Defining good governance

When you hear the word ‘governance’ the words probity, value for money, risk and compliance can spring to mind.  Leading Governance Managing Director Joy Allen explains that all of those are important but we need to be careful that we’re not just ‘ticking the box’.

“Really effective governance also develops a healthy culture which leads to high performance,” she remarks.

“Well-governed organisations are a joy to work for, buy from, and supply to. That’s because their boards set the tone with a clear vision and values, positive culture, specific targets and expectations, good stakeholder relations and robust policies and procedures.”

Allen is a chartered director who has specialised in governance development processes since 2003.  She has undertaken over 50 governance reviews and regularly delivers governance training and development support to boards in all sectors.  She currently serves on the board of Alzheimer’s Society (UK), and has chaired the boards of Simon Community Northern Ireland and VOYPIC (Voice of Young People in Care).

In order to develop great governance in your organisation, Leading Governance contends that you need to get a few fundamentals right.

“It starts with getting the right people in the boardroom, doing the right thinking, asking the right questions, getting the right information, and making the right decisions,” Allen affirms.  “It doesn’t matter if you’re in the public, private or charity sector.

Get this right and you can overcome any obstacle to achieve your goals.”

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