Chairs in Conversation: David McGovern
David McGovern, Chair Designate at Manchester Pride joins us to chat about his experience as a charity Chair, and how to make the role rewarding.
How do your board improve their collective governing skills?
I’ll try not to use the usual boring language that governance professionals use, but it really is making sure you’ve got the right team with the right skill mix around you.
People join boards for all kinds of reasons – they may have been service users or volunteers, they may have a passion for the cause, and some people just join boards because it makes them feel important.
I’ve made sure that any boards that I’ve chaired have a really good mix of skills. The worst boards are ones made up of 10 people who look and sound like me with my kind of background and my experience. The best boards have that cognitive diversity and some of that lived experience.
Then it’s up to you as the Chair to provide that support through annual appraisals, discussions of personal development, and a high-quality induction to set that accountability. You also have a foster a culture that allows people to make their voices heard in meetings, while also being able to have those difficult conversations if a Trustee isn’t committed enough.
Category:Profiles & Interviews
Written by
Philippa Fabry
Partner
Philippa Fabry is a partner and shareholder at Peridot Partners, leading the Not for Profit Practice with expertise, creativity and empathy. With over 20 years of executive search experience across private, public, and not for profit sectors, she excels in recruiting leadership roles for charities. Her leadership expertise extends beyond Peridot as a mentor for a youth charity and leadership coach.
Philippa began her career as a curator in visual arts after graduating from Manchester University. She worked for a prestigious London art gallery before becoming Principal Curator of Contemporary Art at Harewood House Trust. She transitioned to recruitment in 2001 at an international headhunting firm, then served as Assistant Director at Veredus before joining Peridot Partners in 2011, becoming Director in 2015.
Her experience includes supporting organisations through Founder/CEO transitions, establishing new or renewed boards, and helping commercial candidates transition to the not for profit sector. She has partnered with UK charities to appoint skilled executives and diverse trustees.
Outside work, Philippa is an avid runner who has completed several half marathons and is training for her first Sprint Triathlon. She balances career with family and social life, passionate about the arts and helping young people reach their potential.
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