By Helen Pitcher for HR Magazine

The Harvard Business Review (HBR) articles raise some good analysis of HR – even if collected under an incendiary title

The first article recognises that the Europe/UK context is different to the US and is undergoing a ‘paradigm shift’ at board level, with the board taking greater governance responsibility for key areas of the HR agenda that goes beyond the usual “people are our most important asset” statement.

As the HBR articles suggest, recognising the fundamental business context of companies is important and provides the backdrop for analysing the potential role HR can play in an organisation at any point in time.

By Becky Frith for HR Magazine , 04 Sep 2015

More than three-quarters (76%) of HR professionals believe HR’s strategic input is poorly acknowledged, according to research from software provider Cascade HR.

The Cascade Client Survey 2015 found that 39% of HR professionals do not need to report an overview of their department, 42% are not expected to report on workforce diversity, and 48% are not required to report on salary information.

Published in Governance, August 2015 Issue 254

A new Report looks at the increasing demands and pressures on non-execs, considers whether too much is expected from them and looks at increasing problems recruiting non-execs into the financial services sector.

An article by Helen Pitcher OBE for the Company Secretary’s Review
Volume 39, Issue 8, August 2015

This article from Helen Pitcher OBE, Chairman of Advanced Boardroom Excellence looks at some of the influences driving the change in focus on Board behaviour, but more importantly asks if you are ready willing and able to adapt your behaviour to support the Chairman and the Board to deliver the future of Board effectiveness.

The FT Non-Executive Director’s Club, a growing community of community of non-executive directors, has published research by Tyzack Partners and Advanced Boardroom Excellence. 

By Becky Frith for HR Magazine, 5 August 2015

The proportion of female first-time FTSE 350 non-executive directors (NEDs) significantly increased last year, according to a report by Korn Ferry.

The firm’s Class of 2014 report, which analysed all first-time NED appointments to FTSE 350 companies, revealed that 39% of first-time NEDs in 2014 were women, up from 28% in 2013 and 11% in 2007

An article by Helen Pitcher OBE for the Company Secretary’s Review
Volume 39, Issue 6, July 2015

"The governance landscape as you will be aware has been developing rapidly over the past three years. In overall terms there has been an increased focus on the sustainability and longevity of companies by the regulators which is reflected in the governance code and guidance provided by the FRC."

...and stay there. At the latest HR in the Boardroom event, board expert Helen Pitcher shared her top tips for ensuring HRDs are effective at the very highest levels.

By Jenny Roper for HR Magazine, July 2015

“In an ideal world boards should be looking to people with HR skills who can contribute to really important and key areas. In reality they often don’t”. 

New research suggests that ‘regulation creep’ is deterring NEDs looking at roles in Financial Services

Incoming regulations designed to make company boards more accountable for corporate failings could have a dramatic and damaging effect on the diversity on Britain’s biggest financial services businesses and the way their Boards are run, according to a new report.

Advanced Boardroom Excellence, a leading board effectiveness consultancy, and Tyzack Partners, the international executive search firm, are highlighting that the financial services sector could be in for a shock when it comes to recruiting new blood from 2016 onwards. 

The report, entitled ‘Walking the Tightrope of Board Responsibility – a Difficult Balancing Act’, suggests that the introduction of the ‘Senior Managers’ Regime’ next year could act as a deterrent to and lead to a narrowing of experienced and capable business people considering non-executive directorships at leading financial services companies.  

Advanced Boardroom Excellence notes with pleasure that its Chairman Helen Pitcher has been given the Order of the British Empire for her services to business in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. 

By Advanced Boardroom Excellence for HR Magazine, 21 May 2015

In the final governance article we look at the issues facing HRDs seeking to create NED careers and increase influence with boards. Given that an HRD has key capabilities in the areas of executive career management, talent development, remuneration, culture and behaviour, what is holding HRDs back from NED roles?

By Jenny Roper for HR Magazine, 19 May 2015

HR directors should network with other people in the business, have a strong financial and broader political understanding, and beware of being too close to their chief executive, according to Helen Pitcher, chairman of Advanced Boardroom Excellence.

Pitcher was giving tips on how HRDs can enhance their influence at board level at an HR in the Boardroom event held at The Dorchester Park Lane and supported by Advanced Boardroom Excellence.

Published by United Biscuits on 13 May 2015

United Biscuits (UB), the leading international manufacturer of biscuits and cakes, has today announced the addition of two highly accomplished international business executives to its Advisory Board, established following the acquisition of UB by Yildiz Holding in November 2014. UB is appointing Helen Pitcher and Marco Jesi to join board members including Murat Ulker, Chairman of Yildiz Holding and Jeff van der Eems, CEO of United Biscuits.

By Advanced Boardroom Excellence for HR Magazine, 30 April 2015

For the second in the HR Magazine governance insight series, Helen Pitcher chairman of Advanced Boardroom Excellence focuses on what makes an effective board and where the influences and pressures on boards are emerging from.

Susan Dudley’s contribution to the Children’s Charity, KidsOut which supports disadvantaged Children through the provision of Fun and Educational Services www.kidsout.org.uk was recognised on Thursday, 23 April 2015 in London, at the Lancaster Hotel where she was appointed as ‘Life Time Ambassador’.

The new International Women's Forum UK board met last week and confirmed areas of responsibility. Advanced Boardroom Excellence's chairman Helen Pitcher, with Sarah Lewis, will work with the Membership Committee.

By Advanced Boardroom Excellence for HR Magazine, 21 Apr 2015

In this article for HR Magazine, Helen Pitcher chairman of Advanced Boardroom Excellence, explains that good governance informs and improves the HRD’s effectiveness in their day-to-day role, so in turn, the HRD’s areas of expertise in the boardroom can help colleagues to understand how best to implement the company’s overall strategic plan. 

by Jock Encombe

A Developing Leaders Quarterly article
Issue 18: 2015

The performance expectations placed on CEOs are immense and can be overwhelming, even for the most robust individual. Jock Encombe's article for the Developing Leaders explores the need for effective CEO coaching and tries to identify what is distinctive about this type of training. The article draws on the author’s experience and interviews with three leading UK-based coaches.

Advanced Boardroom Excellence (“AB Excellence”), the leading Board and Individual Director Effectiveness Company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jackie White to Chief Operating Officer.

This year's winners were announced at the special Hr NETWORK National Awards Gala Dinner which took place at the Glasgow Hilton on Thursday 13th November 2014. Watch as our very own Helen Pitcher announces the Chief Executive of the Year award.

An article by Carly Chynoweth for The Sunday Times originally published on 26 October 2014

When some non-executives are elected as ‘lay’ directors, the chairman may need to fill in gaps in their knowledge and stop top-level bullying.

IMAGE: Lesley-Anne Alexander, chairwoman of Acevo, where most of the board is elected by the members, says she appoints extra directors to fill any gaps (Akira Suemori)