Last week, we hosted our first Women in Business Webinar. We regularly run in-person Women in Business events that aim to empower women to reach their full potential, and build a professional network. By hosting an online webinar, we were able to open up the event to a far wider audience.
For our first Women in Business Webinar (WIBinar), our speaker was Debbie Beaven. Debbie has over 25 years in the C-Suite as an FD and CFO in different businesses and sectors, including media (Meridian and Central TV), international engineering and environmental consultancy (Gifford and Ramboll), management consultancy (Bain & Co) and financial services (Simplyhealth and Denplan), where she led financial strategy, change programmes and improved performance outcomes.
Debbie left executive life in March 2022 to take up a Non-Executive Director portfolio and has a number of Board positions; Chair of Audit and Risk Committees for Newbury Building Society, Southern Co-op and Boundless. Her roles reflect her values and sense of purpose, with a particular passion for health, sustainability and supporting organisations to address societal inequalities. She is also passionate about supporting and empowering women to reach their potential and be appreciated for their contributions.
For her WIBinar discussion, Debbie chose to explore the topic: Navigating the Boardroom – A NED’s Guide to Boardroom Dynamics.
If you missed the live session, here are the key takeaways from our discussion.
1. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
One of the most resonant parts of the webinar was the discussion on the unique challenges women face in leadership. Using her own experiences, Debbie touched on the reality of imposter syndrome and the systemic hurdles, such as unconscious bias and balancing family roles, that can often make the path to the boardroom feel daunting.
2. Understanding Boardroom Culture: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
A board is more than just a meeting; it’s an ecosystem of behaviours and values. Debbie categorised boards into three types:
The Ugly: Where toxicity and lack of transparency reside.
The Bad: Where ineffective governance and lack of direction stall progress.
The Good: Where respect, trust, and an inclusive culture thrive.
The primary purpose of a board is to shape strategy, ensure resources, and model values. Debbie emphasised that a healthy board culture is one where executives are held accountable in a way that is constructive, not destructive.
3. The Path to Becoming a Non-Executive Director (NED)
For those who are interested in the path to becoming a NED and how you can start that journey, Debbie shared her practical advice:
Identify Your 'Why': Choose roles that align with your personal values and sense of purpose.
The Practicalities: Focus on CV preparation specifically for NED roles, understand the time commitments, and perform rigorous due diligence before joining a board.
Start Small: Consider starting with charity boards or public sector roles (like the NHS) to build your portfolio and experience. These can also run alongside full-time roles while you prepare to make the leap into a full-time NED career.
4. Supporting the Next Generation
Debbie concluded with a powerful reminder: role modelling matters. Debbie shared the sentiment that women need to support one another and refuse to tolerate poor behaviour or exclusionary cultures.
What’s Next?
This was the first of our series of WIBinars. We run many events throughout the year, including coffee mornings and Roundtables as part of our parent company 'Chilworth Partnership's' offering.
Follow the Venture Recruitment Partners LinkedIn page for upcoming events.
Want to discuss your next career move or looking to hire finance, accountancy or legal talent? Contact us today.