Governance & Oversight
Giving you assurance and better organisational performance.
Does your Board & Executives need to commission a review?
You may be prompted to commission a review of your governance arrangements because:
- There is a legal requirement to conduct a review every three years
- You think a regular review is good practice
- You see the need to change, but want a focused external review before agreeing any changes
Kennedy differs from other Board Evaluation services; we focus both on the decision-making of individual members and of the total Board. Each review is designed to meet the needs of the business.
When commissioning a review of your Governance & Oversight arrangements you are likely to want assurance:
- That your Board members have the experience, skills, behaviours, and mindset to shape the organisation and secure its future
- That the financial viability and security of the organisation is robust
- That Board decisions are clear, consistent, easily understood, and where all members are committed to implementation
- That the Board membership aligns with your stated policies on equality and diversity
- That your sub-committees work well with the main Board eliminating duplication while keeping the Board aware of any emerging concerns
- That you have established the optimum balance of challenge and support between the Non-executive Directors and Executive
- That the policies, procedures, and practices agreed by the Board support the organisation as intended
- That the format and preparation for Board meetings is focused and promotes discussion and decisions that concentrate on the priority areas where the input of Non-executive Directors offers greatest value
- That all Board members understand the critical issues they must confront, and are agreed on how they should be tackled
- That communication is ideal to keep fellow members, the Executive, staff, external partners and stakeholders informed
Every assignment we undertake is bespoke and reflects the needs of the organisation. We bring together the advisors, the tools and techniques required to provide you with objective feedback and practical advice on where changes can be made to create a more effective Board and Executive.
See two examples of our work with our clients: Governance & Oversight in a medical facility / Governance & Strategic Framework
Why work with Kennedy
Our approach is tailored to the needs of your business and can be a short sharp assessment or a full-blown evaluation. We agree this before submitting a proposal.
We do the analysis to understand the business you are in and the people who sit at the top of the organisation providing clear leadership to the business.
Our reports are action-oriented and that enable you to manage any agreed changes; they do not sit in the pending file.
Our team are highly experienced. They provide objective feedback and practical solutions to the issues that threaten to undermine your business.
We match the expertise of our consultants with the needs of the assignment, working with a network of partners to get the right fit.
Our philosophy is to equip clients with the insight, tools and techniques which they can use without a dependency on external support.
Our profiling enables the individuals to capitalise on their strengths and to move the business forward.
Kennedy differs from other Board Evaluation services; we focus both on the decision-making of individual members and of the total Board.
Each review is designed to meet the needs of the business. The precise remit, complexity of the organisation, and access to the Board and Executive will determine the time required for the assignment. This is likely to vary between three and six months.
If you are interested in having a no-obligation discussion about how Kennedy can help your organisation, please arrange a call
The Kennedy View of the World
Our work is underpinned by a core strategic management philosophy — The Kennedy View of the World — four interdependent organisation needs, necessary to making strategy a reality.
Effective Top Team Leadership
Kennedy offers a selection of services that enable the top team to shape and secure the future of the business. These services encompass:
- Facilitated resolution of a critical business issue or project
- Understanding of how the individual will impact individual and group decisions
- Detailed decision-making profile of the individual and aggregate impact on group decisions
- Review and recommendations for improving Governance and oversight arrangements
Winning Strategic Direction
Can your management team think strategically and are they contributing to your competitive vision and strategy? All must be making a positive contribution to success but is everyone focused on short-term imperatives rather than your longer-term goals?
Aligned Organisation Design
A new strategy demands that your organisation structure is re-aligned to eradicate the old silos and unify outputs. Unless an organisation’s structure and culture are embedded and it is made clear how everyone will contribute to the future success of your business, are you really going to grow to become a more successful force in your markets?
Successful Operational Delivery
Kennedy helps to deliver the following outcomes:
- An effective change management programme
- Establishing the best fit of people to roles throughout your organisation
- Providing supportive organisation and personal development
- Resolving key performance issues
- Embedding effective performance management throughout your organisation
- Establishing business processes that add real value to your business
For more information about The Kennedy View of the World, click here or contact us
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this cost too much?
This is an investment not a cost. We offer great value and will discuss this at the outset. If the Board is dysfunctional, it will be impossible to take clear, consistent, and timely decisions. Business opportunities will be lost and the energy of staff will be fragmented.
What do I do about some of my colleagues who are resistant to this sort of stuff?
Perhaps they are, but if you are unable to give the clarity and leadership the organisation needs something different is required. This approach has a long-standing proven track record.
How long will the process take?
The timing is within your control. We are used to working quickly; we just need access to the individuals to gather data. We work with your schedule and cause as little disruption as possible.
Are your meetings confidential?
Confidentiality is central to all we do. Nothing will leave the Board or Executive meeting.
If you have any further questions, just let us know
“I have known and worked with Sherril for many years and I never hesitate to put her in front of my clients.
She is very comfortable (and very good) in dealing with teams of executives and Boards. She also has very good diagnostic instincts and capabilities.”
Jean Pousson, Finance and Strategy Trainer
“Sherril is an outstanding OD practitioner. The task she took on with me and my colleagues in a major public sector organisation was quite daunting but she tackled it with total confidence and carried it through to a highly successful conclusion. She is a one-woman poster-person for the arts and science of OD and a pleasure to work with. I can whole-heartedly recommend her as offering powerful direction and support for top teams and HR departments who want to achieve transformational change in their organisation.”
Mike Emmott, Associate adviser at Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
“Sherril undertook an Organisational Review of an organisation on whose Board of Directors I have served for several years. She worked closely with the Executive team and Board during several months developing a Governance & Strategic Framework clearly identifying Purpose, Priorities & Objectives as well as critical success factors. As a consequence, the Board and Executive have a clearer focus, work more effectively, and provide clear and consistent leadership.
Sherril has a remarkable capability to get everyone engaged, involved and contributing to the process. She is a clear thinker and very focused as well as highly analytical. She is a pleasure to work with and a true team builder and leader.”
Eva Wisemark, Owner of Optima Management (IOM) Ltd
“Sherril provided highly valuable insights into the senior management of my company and assisted in the successful restructuring of the whole organisation.”
David Wertheim, Chairman at Arts Aid
“Sherril is a highly skilled development professional. She works very successfully with complex teams and individuals, working in high-pressure areas where relationships and achievement were critical. Her work is challenging, but the outcomes are both impressive and long-lasting.”
Zoe Van Zwanenberg
“I had the recent pleasure of working with Sherril on an Executive Coaching, Board Development and Change Programme, working with the Executive and Board Directors of DHU Health Care. Sherril very quickly assesses the issues and main drivers for effective change and quickly gets to work in providing tools, experience and recommendations based on underpinning knowledge and academic resources. Sherril has the ability to work with the participants to understand the root causes, analyse the findings and guide colleagues into a new way of working and thinking. Sherril successfully removed red tape and complex processes and provided a framework for effective decision making, responsibility matrices as well as designing a more succinct Board Reporting structure. I would highly recommend Sherril in supporting with Board Development, Executive Coaching and Organisational Design and Development.”
Lisa Wallis, Executive Director of HR & O.D. Derbyshire Health United
“Thank you for the summary and the session, it was really enjoyable. I picked up some reflective moments and certainly an approach to factor into Board behaviour and their own preferences and styles that once smartly considered will improve their collective performance. The session was the right amount of time. The interactive chat worked well, and allowed us to get involved and share and you picked up our questions – made it feel more personal across the screen.”
Karen Malone, Deputy CEO (Governance), Department of Health and Social Care, Isle of Man Government
“When we were faced with extremely tight timescales, Kennedy were able to design an organisation structure and detailed role profiles for all staff within a remarkably short period. The result was robust, comprehensive, and helped us change our whole approach to providing client-focused services.”
Taroub Zahran, Director of Organisational Development, Glasgow Housing Association
“Kennedy developed the model that enables us to tackle a key issue - the prevention and control of infection and communicable disease. The model details how each person in the healthcare system contributes to preventing and controlling infection and provides the tangible measures by which we can monitor our success in tackling this issue. The innovative and professional approach taken proved to be great value for money, and was undertaken at remarkable speed.”
Mary Henry, Nurse Consultant, Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health