Public company boards can learn valuable lessons from Private Equity governance practices, which are characterised by a more hands-on and entrepreneurial approach. While public boards have made strides in diversity, risk management, and environmental awareness, they often still adhere to traditional oversight models. In contrast, PE boards, populated by former CEOs, actively participate in strategy creation, building trust, shaping company culture, providing information, and embracing a different mindset.
PE boards focus on six key principles:
1️⃣ Participate in strategy creation rather than merely reviewing it.
2️⃣ Actively build trust through engagement and collaborative efforts.
3️⃣ Shape company culture by interacting with front-line employees.
4️⃣ Share information proactively rather than passively receiving it.
5️⃣ Embrace diversity, not just in appearance, but in thinking and perspective.
6️⃣ Foster deeper relationships with potential future leaders instead of solely focusing on firing CEOs.
Private company boards, free from the constraints of public trading, prioritise collaborative governance, emphasising the importance of actively engaging with management, building trust, shaping culture, sharing information, thinking differently, and nurturing future leadership. This article explores how these principles contribute to more effective boards in the private equity sector, urging public boards to reconsider their governance approach in light of these successful practices.
#PrivateEquity #BusinessTransformation #CollaborativeLeadership
Global Director of Strategic Solutions, Legal and Business Support Services
2moWelcome Alastair! Excited to have you part of the team!