Thought Leadership | Board Advisory Services

A practical guide to landing your first corporate board seat. Interviewing for First-Time Board Service: read successful strategies for meeting the unique challenges of interviewing for a directorship.

For over 18 years, Egon Zehnder has been tracking boardroom diversity around the world. The 2022–2023 Global Board Diversity Tracker captures the progress that has been made in 44 countries.

The CEO-Chair relationship is vital—yet fleeting. This article covers the high stakes and key steps to make most of their time together under pressure.

In an era of seismic shifts, from climate to technological upheavals, boards must do more than keep pace – they must lead the charge. However, future readiness doesn’t come from compliance or ticking boxes; it requires boards to step back regularly, scrutinise their decisions, and question how they arrived at them.

Diversity in the boardroom isn’t just a mandate – it’s a business imperative. Data from our 2024 Global Board Diversity Tracker shows that the gradual progress has slowed, but still continues.

In conversation with Tony Fish, author of “Decision Making in Uncertain Times,” Board Trustee at the Institute of Neurodiversity (ION), and Visiting Fellow at Henley Business School for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

In conversation with Rebecca Robins, Founder and CEO, Board Trustee, EY Foundation and author

Our inaugural report, “Boards: Stepping Up as Stewards of Sustainability”, revealed a paradox: while board members recognized the imperative for sustainability, many felt ill-equipped to act on it. Often feeling as though they are the lone voice on the board, directors may also lack the courage—or their boardrooms may lack the psychological safety—to challenge how long-term risks and opportunities are monitored and addressed through board governance.

Serving as an independent, non-executive director (NED) can be a boon to one’s professional development, as well as a uniquely compelling experience.

Drawing from experience working with boards and cybersecurity executives, explore insights to enhance your readiness to land your first board seat.