Labour’s Educational Vision: Preparing MAT boards for change, part 2

Overcoming recruitment challenges to improve your board

There is no simple solution to recruitment issues, but it’s crucial to recognise that these problems stem from practices that may not cover all necessary bases.

If you are experiencing any of these challenges, I urge you to reassess your recruitment methods to adopt a proactive and thorough approach to recruitment.

Rethinking network-based recruitment

While network-based recruitment might seem convenient, it often fails to bring about needed changes. Recruitment is challenging and time-consuming, but relying on a ‘little book of contacts’ will unlikely yield the desired skills and diversity.

Best recruitment practices

Effective recruitment is more than just placing an advert online and waiting for responses. It involves understanding where, how, and what to advertise.

To attract top talent, boards must engage with potential candidates from the moment they consider applying until the interview.

Allocating resources appropriately

Expecting clerks or governance professionals, who often work part-time, to source candidates is impractical.

To find the best talent, dedicate the necessary resources and attention to the recruitment process. This could involve collaborating with your HR team to understand governance needs, contacting regional employers, or using free governor recruitment services or specialist recruitment partners.

How We Can Help

At Peridot Partners, we excel at attracting top talent to your board. We have extensive experience recruiting paid and voluntary trustees, governors and non-executive directors for various non-profit boards, including charities, universities, and colleges. By improving leadership, we have helped organisations grow beyond their expectations. It’s time for schools and MATs to realise the benefits of professional recruitment support for non-executive roles.

Our approach begins with a conversation about your board’s needs. If unsure, we can assist with skills audits, board reviews, and general advice on board performance.

The major advantage of working with us is that we research, approach, and engage a targeted list of candidates with the skills you need, many of whom may not have considered a board role until we reached out. As your partner, we represent you by meeting and speaking to hundreds of potential candidates, generating a shortlist that surpasses any advertising or ad hoc process.

At Peridot Partners, our greatest satisfaction comes from seeing your organisation succeed because of the people we help you find.