Don’t pack up your home office just yet: Remote working likely to stay
20 Sep 2021
The shift to working from home caused by the pandemic is one of the biggest changes to the way we work in the last 50 years. But don’t get ready to pack up your home office just yet. According to the federal government’s key economic advisor, remote working is here to stay long after the COVID-19 pandemic.
40% gender target more realistic for BHP
20 Sep 2021
Women on Boards has welcomed BHP's revision of its ambitious target for a 50/50 gender split by 2025 as being more realistic. The mining giant will now push for 40% female representation across its 80,000-strong global workforce by 2025.
Can you mandate vaccinations in your organisation?
13 Sep 2021
By Michael Selinger, Jennifer van Bronswijk, Natasha Jones, Julia Wyatt and Olivia Lawrence of Holding Redlich
The impact of the COVID-19 Delta variant across the country is challenging how governments, public health experts and employers respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, WOB Partner Holding Redlich law firm explores the legal basis for a mandatory vaccination policy and the key legal considerations for employers.
Leading from the top - Vaccination across the nation
06 Sep 2021
While the Australian Government’s policy is that receiving a vaccination is free and voluntary, all but the most highly targeted lockdowns will end and the country will begin to reopen its international borders once 80% of eligible Australians are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. To encourage everyone to get the jab it's vitally important that NEDs and businss leaders show some leaderhip and encourage their staff to get vaccinated.
No more all-male boards on ASX200, but there's still work to be done
30 Aug 2021
By Women on Boards Executive Director, Claire Braund
The news that none of the ASX200 companies are devoid of at least one female board member has been celebrated around the markets with great fanfare, writes Women on Boards Executive Director, Claire Braund.
Directors urged to take action over gender pay gap rise
26 Aug 2021
Directors have a role to play in addressing Australia’s gender pay gap, with men now earning on average $261 a week more than their female counterparts, says Women on Boards Executive Director Claire Braund.
Do women on boards create more profit?
25 Aug 2021
By Fiona Hathorn, WOB UK CEO
As yet more research is published showing businesses with diverse boards and management teams are more profitable, we again see a push back saying that more women on boards don’t create more profit.
Survey finds NEDs coping with lockdown … but cracks appearing
17 Aug 2021
MEDIA RELEASE
Non-Executive Directors are professionally lonely, just coping with extended COVID lockdowns and saying that impacts on boardroom decision making and relationships are starting to appear, a recent Women on Boards survey has found.
FT’s Great Board Reboot: Is it time for a new agenda?
16 Aug 2021
In the wake of corporate scandals, a global pandemic and an uncertain economic and social recovery, all eyes are firmly on the board. Now new global research among board directors and international experts, including Women on Boards, reveals how they are embracing an evolution in their role and responsibilities.
New ASX NED role for Cheryl Hayman
16 Aug 2021
Long time WOB member and successful ASX Non Executive Director Cheryl Hayman, has added another ASX company to her board portfolio.
WOBSX Face to Face at the IPO Great Debate
03 Aug 2021
On July 14 during a brief hiatus between lockdowns, graduates and participants of the WOBSX program were hosted by Sandy Chakravarty at The IPO Network’s Great Debate – “Should the ASX allow SPACs?”.
ASX200 gender balance up 25% in 12 years
02 Aug 2021
WOB has welcomed a report which shows Australia is one of only three countries to reach 30% of women on boards on its top 200 listed companies without quotas.
Government flags personal liability for directors for cyber incidents
19 Jul 2021
The political focus on cyber security has continued with the Government publishing a discussion paper on Australia's cyber security regulation and incentives. Here WOB member and D&O claims expert Kate Boomer, Special Council with Clyde&Co, talks about the reforms up for discussion and what they mean for directors’ and officers’ liability for cyber incidents.
Headhunters share tricks of the trade
19 Jul 2021
What are non-executive recruiters looking for in a board candidate? What do they want to know about you? And how does your ‘pitch’ really come across?
Does your board need help meeting goals?
12 Jul 2021
How do you know if your board and organisation is meeting goals and making progress?Join specialist Fi Mercer from Governance Evaluator as she shares critical lessons and key insights into effective governance in a free Women on Boards webinar.
Barty Inspiration | What are your board dreams?
12 Jul 2021
When it comes to achieving your dream - whether it's securing your ideal board role or fulfilling a lifelong sporting ambition - take inspiration from newly-crowned Wimbledon champion Ashleigh Barty.
WOB gets behind 'green' artists
12 Jul 2021
Things are happening in WOB’s art world, with the launch of a group exhibition in Queensland's Mission Beach and the last few days to go at IWD Art Prize winner Melinda Hayton's show in Brisbane.
NAIDOC Week women get behind Heal Country theme
05 Jul 2021
This NAIDOC Week, Women on Boards celebrates the achievements of three remarkable women who have contributed their time and talents to the NAIDOC Week celebrations, including two new appointments to the National NAIDOC Committee (NNC).
Ruth’s Review: Three new CRCs announced
05 Jul 2021
Have you considered a board role on a CRC? They are generally professionally run, with appropriate governance structures and pay their directors. And the good news is three new CRCs have just been announced. But what are they all about?
Mentoring women not delivering the goods for ASX200
05 Jul 2021
Women occupy more than a third of board seats of ASX 200 companies for the first time, but the improvement is partially offset by analysis showing that only one in 10 blue-chip company chairs is female.
Malini Raj: Never underestimate the change one person can make
05 Jul 2021
As Head of Strategy for Multicultural Community Banking at Commonwealth Bank, Malini Raj introduced the hijab into the CBA corporate wardrobe. She’s also had brain surgery twice to treat a rare disease and was once in the Qantas Choir singing I Still Call Australia Home.
Opportunity knocks: The re-education of Barnaby
28 Jun 2021
The political comeback of Barnaby Joyce has sparked debate from living rooms to boardrooms across all states. But this could be an opportunity for the Deputy Prime Minister to become more educated about how the behaviour of men impacts women.
Let Them Eat Their Cake
21 Jun 2021
The brouhaha over last week’s vote at The Australian Club to remain male only has caused ripples and riposte from ropeable men and women from well beyond its Sydney environs.
The Hidden Truth
21 Jun 2021
A new report from Women on Boards UK | June 2021
Women on Board UK's new report gives the most comprehensive picture ever of the state of diversity and inclusion across the entire FTSE All-Share. For the first time, it examines every FTSE All-Share company below the 350 (FTSE All-Share ex350) and brings together the Gender Pay Gap data across those FTSE All-Share companies, who are required to, or choose to, report.
Congratulations to all Queen's Birthday Honours Recipients
14 Jun 2021
Congratulations to all those who received honours in this year's Queen's Birthday list. In particular the 416 female honourees, two of whom were given the top honour of AC; Frances Adamson AC (Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) and retired judge, Barbara Baker AC. Both are forthcoming state governors.
Founding board for March4Justice
11 Jun 2021
Women on Boards has been approached by March4Justice to assist its search for three Non-Executive Directors to join its newly formed organisation.
Rising to the Board
07 Jun 2021
Claire Braund talks to the Newcastle Herald about why she co-founded Women on Boards and offers tips to women seeking board roles. She says there is a board role for everyone, it's just a matter of finding the right role for you.
Financial awareness is key to NED professional development
04 Jun 2021
With the implementation of the Director Identification Numbers (DIN’s or Director ID’s) growing imminent, it will be important for Directors to understand the new obligations, as failure to apply for a DIN within the required time frame will leave you open to both criminal and civil penalties.
Mandatory Director Identification Numbers on the horizon
04 Jun 2021
With the implementation of the Director Identification Numbers (DIN’s or Director ID’s) growing imminent, it will be important to understand the new obligations for those operating in the capacity of a Director, as failure to apply for a DIN within the required time frame will leave you open to both criminal and civil penalties.
How do you Count Culture?
31 May 2021
New research from Diversity Council Australia (DCA) and the University of Sydney Business School has developed a standardised approach for defining, measuring, and reporting on workforce cultural diversity in a respectful, accurate and inclusive way.
The Future of Flexiblity
31 May 2021
Fiona Hathorn, CEO of Women On Boards UK, considers how businesses and employees have benefited from flexible working during the coronavirus pandemic, and how they can continue to do so
NFAW calls for structural reform
24 May 2021
The Women on Boards sponsored Gender Lens on the Budget has called for structural reform, not tax cuts, to address workforce and social gender inequality.
WOB and Art Sponsorship
17 May 2021
It’s important that an organisation like WOB supports community activities. Particularly those that are often under-funded vis-à-vis women’s participation. As the Chair of WOB, I chose to support artists, primarily female artists and, more recently, those from rural and regional areas.
10 Proactive questions every board member should be asking
10 May 2021
Harvard Business Review, April 2021
Being a board member isn’t easy. You have responsibility for a company but limited means to really understand it — and that understanding is often mediated by management. Boards only see what they’re presented with and can easily become passive recipients of agendas created by powerful CEOs and senior executives.
Claire in Canberra with The Office for Women and WOBMeet
03 May 2021
Claire Braund was in Canberra last week and caught up with a few WOB members at the National Press Club. It was only our second live event since COVID and we all relished the opportunity to have a lively and meaningful discussion with a group of like-mined women.
Major new features on LinkedIn
26 Apr 2021
LinkedIn has taken things next level with a host of new features that are vital for any non executive director, leader or those emerging.
The Pace of Change and the Future Fit Board
26 Apr 2021
In a technology-enabled transformative age, Cheryl Hayman FAICD explores how businesses have moved outside of traditional capabilities and continue to explore new business models and ways of working, including in the boardroom. To keep pace, boards need to reshape and reimagine their roles in order to ensure they are future-fit. But what are the critical trends and influences that are feeding this unprecedented pace of change (COVID notwithstanding) and what does a future-fit board look like?
WOB Recommends 30 Weeks and Shared Paid Parental Leave
26 Apr 2021
Women on Boards welcomes the very modest ask from The Business Council of Australia on raising the childcare subsidy from 85–95 percent but recommends going to a total of 30 weeks shared Paid Parental Leave.
Lest We Forget
23 Apr 2021
Women on Boards commemorates ANZAC Day 2021 and pays tribute to the many women who have served this country since the Boer War in 1899 – and who continue to serve.
Holgate in ‘female friendly’ PM’s blind spot
12 Apr 2021
If ever there was a case of exquisite timing, it occurred in Parliament last week. At almost the same time the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, was heading his new ‘women’s cabinet’, the former CEO of Australia Post, Christine Holgate, was thumping down her lengthy and critical report in the Senate.
New .au licensing rules contain changes to the org.au namespace
12 Apr 2021
New licensing rules mean that unincorporated associations will no longer be eligible to hold ‘org.au’ domain names unless they are a charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission (ACNC). While most sporting organisations will be incorporated as a separate legal entity, some organisations may not be, and NSOs and SSOs should ensure that they and their member clubs and associations are aware of this change.
Staving off a pink recession
01 Apr 2021
Women have borne the brunt of the pandemic-induced economic downturn, and initiatives to boost female participation in the workforce are an important pathway out of challenging times.
WOB Executive Chair Ruth Medd has been quoted in this article in the CPA Magazine, In the Black.
One year on : COVID-19 Lessons for boards
29 Mar 2021
The onset of the pandemic in Australia one year ago prompted much hardship and anxiety. But a much talked about silver lining was the innovation, disruption, and dizzying pivoting that also took place as businesses were forced to adapt to survive.
Women on Boards supports Liberal party quotas
24 Mar 2021
Women on Boards has long been calling for quotas in government and supports Scott Morrison's call for quotas yesterday. But the real question is how is he going to convince the Federal Liberal Party that quotas are the way to go?
AGM Intelligence Report - 2021
22 Mar 2021
After surveying its *top clients, Computershare has published its 2021 AGM Intelligence report, which has uncovered that 2020 was a year when we all learned how to do things differently.
*Computershare looks after 50% of the ASX300
ESG - A top board priority in 2021
19 Mar 2021
ESG - Environmental Social Governance - was a hot topic at this year's AICD Governance Summit and has been identified as one of six priorities for boards in 2021.
Gendered violence unacceptable; but the law is the law
15 Mar 2021
Today’s series of March4Justice events against sexism and gendered violence are a warning shot to the Government and other institutions that Australia needs to get on top of this issue - and fast. The independent inquiry into the culture of Parliament House by Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins, is a great first step and should be fully supported and resourced. My fear is that it will not be done quickly enough to satisfy the justifiable outrage that many women have about gender-based violence being swept under the carpet.
Claire Braund is Terrigal’s Woman of the Year
12 Mar 2021
WOB Executive Diretor and Terrigal resident, Claire Braund, has been named Terrigal electorate’s 2021 Woman of the Year in recognition of her outstanding work in the community.
WOB Members Choose to Challenge
06 Mar 2021
This year Women on Boards celebrates International Women’s Day speaking to women in the WOB network who have chosen to challenge during their career. Here’s what they had to say
Aspirations for Local Government? Let us know
01 Mar 2021
In September this year, NSW will hold its Local Government Election. Women currently represent less than one third (33%) of all councillors and mayors serving on the 128 councils in NSW. The figure is only marginally better (35%) for all Councils in Australia.
WOB Members secure four key board roles
22 Feb 2021
In the space of two days last week Women on Boards received news of four key appointments to significant board roles. Our congratulations to....
Diane Grady AO WOBSX Syndicate Graduates
15 Feb 2021
WOB Congratulates our most recent WOBSX Syndicate, led by experienced Non Executive Director and Chair, Mark Richardson, who graduated in Sydney last week.
Governance News - with Professor Ngaire Woods CBE
15 Feb 2021
Professor Ngaire Woods CBE, founding Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government and Professor of Global Economic Governance at Oxford University discusses how governments can build back with business and not-for-profits after the crisis of 2020.
Shareholders - Enrol your toenails
09 Feb 2021
In this article, WOB Chair, Ruth Medd, gives a new take on the responsibilities of shareholders in enabling the success of new companies. In this instance in the highly charged world of biotech which, with the COVID pandemic threatening our world, can be seen as critical to our future.
Congratulations to our 2021 Order of Australia recipients
01 Feb 2021
Women on Boards congratulates our members who have received Australia Day Honours this year:
Nadia Moffatt OAM for service to community health, particularly to people with a brain injury.
Bernadette Black AM for significant service to youth, to local government, and to the community.
Barbara Hingston AM for significant service to community health, and to people with disabilities. Read more....
Insights into AGMs held in 2020
23 Jan 2021
The events of 2020, including devastating bushfires and a global pandemic, have had reverberating effects on corporate Australia and this was reflected in the 2020 AGM season. In this article, Allyson Porter from Computershare provides insights into 2020 AGMs.
Directorship in the Raw
11 Jan 2021
In her first article for 2021, WOB Chair Ruth Medd explains why ‘directorship in the raw’ is important to grasp and why it's important for current and aspiring directors to read the AFR.
New property fund seeks NEDS
14 Dec 2020
In November 2020 WOB was contacted by the principals of Secure Growth Property Funds to assist with the recruitment of women to join either an advisory entity or their board. They had questions around how to recruit, where to look and what to offer...all ably answered by WOB.
New modern slavery reporting requirements
07 Dec 2020
By Holding Redlich partner Natashia Ackroyd and graduate Sam Marks
With the first season of the modern slavery reporting deadline fast approaching (31 December 2020), Holding Redlich outlines the new reporting obligations and their underlying objectives. They also take a look at the property and construction industry, which is more susceptible to modern slavery due to the fact that it is so labour-intensive and heavily reliant on the supply of international raw materials.
Asleep at the wheel
27 Nov 2020
The Workplace Gender Equality Agency gender balance scorecard is out and its not a great story.
WOB UK Calls for Audit on Gender/ Ethnicity Pay Gap Reporting
23 Nov 2020
WOB UK CEO Fiona Hathorn takes a candid look at the UK's gender and ethnicity pay gap reporting. By comparsion Australia has compulsory pay gap reporting via the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) for non public sector organisations who employe 100+ staff, but at this stage we have no ethnicity reporting. WOB is making moves to work towards this with our Culture Diversity Working Group. Here Fiona delves into what's happening (and not happening) in the UK.
Vale Dame Margaret Guilfoyle AC DBE
23 Nov 2020
By Claire Braund
When Marie Coleman AO PSM, poked fun on twitter about her friend Dame Margaret Guilfoyle AC DBE, being ‘a dame’ she replied, “I have been called much worse.” here is little doubt that Dame Margaret, who passed away last week at the age of 94, had incurred the sharp tongue of many a male during her stellar political career forged in the late 60’s and 70’s as the second wave of feminism really took hold.
Record Breaker and Role Model
09 Nov 2020
Women on Boards congratulates Kamala Harris, the first woman and only the second person of colour to hold executive office in the United States.
Director liability for environmental offences
02 Nov 2020
Did you know that directors and managers can be liable for environmental offences committed by a corporation?
There are strong policy reasons for holding directors liable for environmental offences by corporations.
!Snap Emails Explained
02 Nov 2020
Have you received a !Snap email from WOB and wondered why? Well you would not be alone – as this recent post on WOB’s online community platform, WOBShare showed.
To Pay or not to pay – That may be the question?
26 Oct 2020
Should directors of NFP’s be remunerated? I have been an advocate for directors of Not For Profit companies that run a business to be remunerated for some time. So, what are the pros and cons?
Credit Unions fall short
15 Oct 2020
As part of our 2020 Board Gender Diversity Index (BGDI), Women on Board (WOB) measured 86 entities listed as Australian Deposit Taking Institutions (ADTI) - Credit Unions / Building Societies / Banks. There was a small increase in the number of women on boards in 2020 to 31.3%, however in general the progress in this sector is not encouraging, particulalry for a recalcitrant group of five Credit Unions who have no female board members.
Credible Women Criticise 2020 Budget
12 Oct 2020
Criticism of the Federal Budget for not addressing the gendered nature of the Covid pandemic has grown from ‘credible women’ (#crediblewomen) across Australia. Claire Braund outlines WOB’s response in this article.
Vale Susan Ryan, AO….and Thank You
28 Sep 2020
By Claire Braund, Executive Director, Women on Boards
Yesterday, Australian feminism lost one of its old guard. One of the legends in the battle for greater equality, fairness and justice for women, children, the aged and the underprivileged in this country. A public servant in the true sense of the word.
A Woman of ‘A Certain Age’
14 Sep 2020
As our Executive Director, Claire Braund, turns 50 today, she reflects on why this milestone, reached in the year of Covid, seems more significant than other decades.
WOB Meets the Minister for Women
14 Sep 2020
Minister for Women, Senator Marise Payne, met with WOB Executive Director Claire Braund, on the Central Coast on Friday, to talk about issues impacting women's economic security and wellbeing.
Libby Lyons - Frank and Fearless for Gender Justice
07 Sep 2020
Libby Lyons, the straight-talking Executive Director of the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, is blunt in her assessment of what is needed to address some pretty appalling statistics when it comes to women’s workforce participation in some industries.
Practical tips for directors – how to manage and minimise risks at a board level
31 Aug 2020
For anyone who is a director or considering an appointment, it's worth refreshing your understandiing of exactly what "directors and officers" are responsible for. In this article
Holding Redlich provides an overview of the duties of directors and some practical steps directors can take to ensure compliance. And these duties extend more broadly than you may think, based on a recent High Court decision in
ASIC V King (2020), which reviewed the question of "who is an officer for the purpose of the Corporations Act?."
Cultural Diversity Working Group
31 Aug 2020
Women on boards has established a working group to address the barriers to opportunity and access to leadership and board/committee roles for culturally diverse women in Australia.
Gender Pay Gap: the COVID unknown
28 Aug 2020
The national gender pay gap remains officially at 14%, but is yet to reflect the full impact of COVID 19 on the workforce - and women in particular.
How do Chairs prepare for board meetings?
17 Aug 2020
Interesting survey on the mechanics of setting up a board meeting by VUCA, showing that high performing Chairs have a significant impact on board performance, and in turn organisational performance.
Lil Bianchi's journey to the ASX
17 Aug 2020
WOBSX graduate Lil Bianchi was appointed to 4DMedical in 2019. Following their float on 7 August 2020, she is now delighted to be the NED of an ASX board.
2020 Fortune Global 500 list hits all time diversity low
12 Aug 2020
The 2020 Fortune Global 500 List, released on 10 August, shows that woman run just 13 out of the 500 top companies globally - one less than last year. And this year is the first year since 2014, when the data was first collected, in which zero women of colour made the list.
Director tax liability increases
10 Aug 2020
Caitlan Murdock, Senior Associate, Holding Redlich,10 August 2020
Under the director penalty regime (DPR) company directors are now liable for all of a company's PAYG liability, GST, luxury car tax, wine equalisation tax liabilities and SGC liabilities.
Measures allowing virtual AGMs extended
10 Aug 2020
The Australian government has extended measures allowing companies to hold virtual annual shareholder meetings. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said special rules allowing online-only shareholder meetings would be extended for a further six months, making them valid until March 21, 2021.
IPO Network and WOBSX
10 Aug 2020
One benefit of being part of the WOBSX program is being part of the IPO Network through WOB, which became a member in 2019.
Women in leadership equal better performance - across the globe
31 Jul 2020
Data from Australia and now the UK, shows that no matter what side of the world you're on, having women in leadership positions leads to better company performance. These findings draw on the Women Count 2020 (UK) report, released on 31 July 2020 and the BCEC WGEA 2020 Gender Insights report released in June 2020.
Project Based Advisory Entities
27 Jul 2020
Today, WOB spoke to members of the accessible arts community, about the opportunities for serving on advisory entities. But just how do they work.......?
What are members talking about?
20 Jul 2020
At WOB we often say that one of the greatest intangible benefits of being a *member is the access and exposure to our incredible network of extraordinary and generous women. WOBShare now makes the intangible tangible.
Under the Cloak of COVID © - Corporate Psychopaths and Bullies come out to play ©
06 Jul 2020
Are you one of the silent majority - passive, disinterested or status oriented directors complying with the psychopath's directions OR are you one of the engaged minority - courageous, indpendent non-executive directors who are opposing the self-interested actions of the corporate psychopaths and bullies by standing up for the rule of law, principle and good governance?
This article by Fiona Shand FAICD looks at the Achieved Influencers (the good guys) and the Derived Influencers (the pschopaths and bullies) and how the latter have used the Cloak of COVID to come out to play. Strong independent voices - those standing up for good governance practice and compliance with the law - risk being marginalised, victimised or forced to resign rather than risk their reputations by condoning improper behaviour.
Zita Peach to Chair next Melbourne WOBSX syndicate
06 Jul 2020
WOBSX has achieved a hat trick when it comes to highly accomplished female directors who have thrown their support behind the program. Zita Peach will chair the next Melbourne Syndicate - joining Kathleen Conlon (Sydney) and Tanya Cox (online).
Kelly Humphreys secures second ASX role
22 Jun 2020
WOBSX graduate, Kelly Humphreys, has secured her second ASX board role in as many months, with the announcement that she has been appointed to NSX Limited.
Director Identity Number (DIN) Bill Passed
17 Jun 2020
Under a new bill that was passed by Federal Parliament on 12 June 2020, all current and new company directors will need to verify their identity and obtain a Director Identity Number (DIN) for life.
Virtual AGM Handbook
15 Jun 2020
Learning from the successful delivery of over 600 virtual meetings around the globe in 2020, Computershare has developed a Virtual AGM Handbook which highlights the key elements you need to plan for success, including: technology, managing Q&A and preparing the board.
Culture always wins
07 Jun 2020
Culture always wins – it is stronger than anything else. This was a key message from Matthew Croxford, Partner and National Head of Human Capital at Grant Thornton, in a recent presentation for Women on Boards.
Women Who Innovate
01 Jun 2020
The Women Who Innovate series celebrates women who are adopting an innovative approach to business - often harnessing surplus products & services in a new and creative way and doing social good.
ASX-100 Director Report Reveals Gender Inequality
11 May 2020
In its inaugural report on the 563 non executive directors sitting on the ASX100, Apollo Communications found that on average male directors earn 20% more than their female colleagues ($263,144 vs $218,696), for no obvious reason.
The Accidental Advisory Board Member
27 Apr 2020
In this article Ruth explains how a telephone survey resulted in her joining an Advisory Board and reviews three online and board management products - timely given COVID-19 necessitates boards to operate "virtually".
Board Recruitment Post COVID-19
27 Apr 2020
Finding the right board talent to lead organisations through the recovery phase of the pandemic has never been more critical.’ We asked our recruiters who post with WOB what they are seeing and doing in the Director market during COVID-19.
The On-switch is never Off in the new world of work
20 Apr 2020
The new world of working in COVID-19 can be exhausting, with a lot time spent in online meetings, presentations and events. If you play a major role in these activities, then you find that you need to be ON all the time. No looking away, checking your phone, leaving the room for a toilet break – but continuous focus and engagement. In this article I explore why this is the case and gives a few tips for being able to enjoy this rare time in our lives.
WOB Supports Basketball Australia
09 Apr 2020
Over the past 12 years WOB has built an impressive bank of highly accomplished and experienced members, making it ideally placed to help organisations build boards and governance committees. Basketball Australia is a great example of how we do this.
Imagine the world post Coronavirus, act towards it and 'do your bit'
29 Mar 2020
In times of crisis our first responsibility as company directors is the health and safety of our workforce, then we need to quickly step up to the many other business challenges. The Executive can run the business on a day to day basis. It’s when the hard stuff comes along that directors show their worth and their wisdom and judgment is needed. It is also when we as citizens show our true worth.
Board leadership and performance in a crisis
29 Mar 2020
Every industry across the globe has faced a crisis at some point in time. While most large companies survive, many struggle for years following a period of severe adversity. Others prevail and become stronger than before. How companies address crises has changed over time, as has the role of the board.
Watershed for Australia | Working Collaboratively | Lamb roasts go virtual!
23 Mar 2020
This weekend has been a watershed in our country’s history. Like no other it has shown both how vulnerable and resilient we are as a society and a species; what good and bad leadership looks like; and the huge role that both organisations and individuals have in getting us through this crisis.
COVID-19 - Impact & Risk
12 Mar 2020
Govering during a pandemic requires acting quickly and cooperatively. Infectious disease outbreaks like COVID-19 primarily impact organisations in terms of operations and people. If you are Non Executive Director it's important that you are across the issues and know how they will impact your organisation. We've collated reference material that you might find valuable to help determine the necessary steps to mitigate risk in your organiston. Click here
Innovative Parents on Leave Launches
09 Mar 2020
Women on Boards is proud to be partnering with the boutique organisation, Parents on Leave™, to provide an innovative new program for men and women who are on parental leave.
WOBSX graduates make inroads into Australian investment community
02 Mar 2020
WOBSX Chair, Mark Richardson, will host 10 WOBSX graduates at the highly anticipated 2020 Australian Investment Council (AIC) gala dinner in Sydney this week. The graduates will be also joined by Melinda Snowden, who chaired the 2018 Elizabeth Bryan syndicate, for WOBSX.
High Levels of Frustration with Board Recruitment
07 Feb 2020
Lack of transparency, professionalism and peer support are just some of the frustrations with the board recruitment process, according to new research commissioned by market leading advocacy and director placement group, Women on Boards.
Honour a Woman
24 Jan 2020
When you peruse the honours list in the Australia Day Awards this year, make a mental note of how many women have been recognised. Then make a further mental note to ensure a woman you know is worthy of our country’s highest level of recognition is nominated in the future.
ESG and Climate Risk
17 Jan 2020
Insufficient attention is being paid to environmental social governance (ESG) and climate risk, despite the strong likelihood that it will impact business in the future, according to findings from a WOB survey conducted over two weeks in January 2020.
Ruths wrap on 2019 Vacancy Postings
11 Jan 2020
The WOB Vacancy Board * continues to grow and provide vital benefits to our members. The good news is that the number of remunerated positions offered on the WOB Vacancy Board increased by 7% to nearly 66% in 2019.**
WOBSX Launches Syndicate 5
02 Dec 2019
The latest WOBSX syndicate kicked off in Sydney in November 2019, chaired by Rob Shaw from Credit Corp (ASX:CCP). The syndicate is named after well known NED and Chair, Susan Oliver AM and is the 5th syndicate in the highly successful WOBSX program.
Up Close with Julie Green
04 Nov 2019
We had a great WOBMeet in Melbourne on Monday night with guest panellist Julie Green at the Emerald Peacock. We were delighted to see many regular WOBers, including Sheena Wilson, Ruth Wilson, Marlene Elliot and more.
Claire Braund, WOB Executive Director, got up close with Julie Green to discuss her boardroom journey and what she’s learned along the way.
40% Should be Target for ASX
03 Nov 2019
Women on Boards has taken issue with the AICD and its affiliates setting a target of 30% for female board representation for the ASX200 and then complaining when companies only reach 29.5%. WOB Executive Director, Claire Braund, said the target for female representation on boards needs to be 40% across all sectors - including the ASX.
Shift to the boardroom a slow burn
27 Oct 2019
In 2010 when Emeritus Professor Julie Cotter was thinking about a shift to the boardroom, she completed her Company Directors course and then started to look around for roles. As she told the assembled guests at the Women on Boards Director Lunch at Clayton Utz in Brisbane last week, she had ‘some success, but not as much as she expected.'
One Giant Leap for Womankind
19 Oct 2019
On October 18, NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Christina Koch, performed the first all-woman spacewalk. This was the fourth spacewalk for Christina Koch and the first for Jessica Meir. But they almost didn't get there together!
"It doesn't seem to come in my size" are words that will resonate with many frustrated female apparel shoppers around the globe. While this issue often causes annoyance, it is rarely earth shattering. However, for Koch and Meir, the lack of size 'medium' on the space suit rack could have prevented them from being the first all-female team to walk - or technically 'float' - in space last Friday.
Supporting Shirley at Global Women's Summit
18 Oct 2019
Women on Boards is proud to be sponsoring Professor Shirley Randell AO to take part in the "Global Gender Summit’ being organised by the African Development Bank in Rwanda from 25-27 November. WOB will contribute $1,000 towards Shirley’s travel to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, to take part in the summit.
The Times are a Changing
14 Oct 2019
Read our final report from this year's Next Generation of Female Leaders Program. The Vida Goldstein syndicate looked into how business culture has changed through time in Australia. Their 'article based report' was developed by looking back at culture over the decades and insights shared by key business leaders interviewed.
Insead interview with Rowena Ironside of WOB UK
06 Oct 2019
Leading from Chair: Building the skills for the next stage of your career. Rowena Ironside, chair and co-founder of Women on Boards UK, talk to Insead about the leading-edge thinking, the tools, insights and frameworks that Leading from the Chair delivers to address the exciting and manifold challenges ahead.
Leading Through Disruption
03 Oct 2019
Read the third of our four reports from his year's Next Generation of Female Leaders Program. This week's report from the Susan Alberti Syndicate looked at 'Leading Through Disruption'. The report is based on indepth interviews with key industry leaders and their own academic and social research.
Natural Born Leaders?
26 Sep 2019
Read the second of our four reports from this year's Next Generation of Female Leaders Program. This week's report from the Nancy Bird Walton syndicate, examines the concept of 'Natural Born Leaders?' The findings are based on interviews with 20 influential leaders, key reports and literature.
AGM Trends
26 Sep 2019
Running an AGM poses challenges. Computershare has compiled data from 2018 to develop these interesting statistics.
Cheryl Hayman Appointed to third ASX Board
23 Sep 2019
Long time WOB member, Cheryl Hayman, has joined her third ASX board with the announcement of her appointment as an independent non-executive director to Shriro Holdings Limited (ASX: SHM).
Next Gen Graduation Celebration
20 Sep 2019
WOB congratulates our twenty-one Next Gen graduates who attended the final two days of our program at AON in Sydney this week. We had great presentations, robust discussion, metamorphic personal development and deep personal connections between the graduates, mentors, presenters and WOB staff.
Leadership in the Digital Age
20 Sep 2019
Read the first of our four reports from his year's Next Generation of Female Leaders Program. This week's report from the Eleanor Harding Syndicate looked at 'Leadership in the Digital Age'. The report is based on indepth interviews with key industry leaders and their own academic and social research.
Crowd Funding New Sectors
13 Sep 2019
We are seeing a growing trend in the number of Women on Boards members who are involved as founders, advisors, directors or investors in what is loosely termed ‘the innovation space’. This is exciting for WOB and a great opportunity to expand our networks and test out new marketplaces.
WOB warmly welcomed by Australian Investment Council
13 Sep 2019
It was a big week for WOBSX with 10 of the program graduates invited as guests to the Australian Investment Council Conference at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (11th & 12th Sept). The WOB members were accompanied by AIC member, Mark Richardson, an experienced chairman & investment management professional who introduced the WOB team to the conference. A number of them shared their thoughts on the event.
Juggling Governance
06 Sep 2019
A diverse group of WOB members enjoyed hearing how governance guru, Trisha Mok, juggles two board roles, four committees, a full-time executive position and Oscar (seven-year-old son) at a lunch in Sydney last week.
Life Lessons from not making the A Team
01 Sep 2019
We had a great Melbourne WOBMeet last week with guest speaker Marlene Elliott, Non-Executive Director Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) and Netball Victoria and very successful netball player and coach.
Marlene spoke about her interesting career progression from senior management at KPMG to her decision to leave Adelaide and move to Melbourne at the tender age of 50 to progress her career and expand her board portfolio.
She shared how she went from the B Netball Team at school to represent South Australia at the Nationals and how being overlooked for the A Team taught her many valuable lessons.
Mentoring Focus at WOBMeet WA
01 Sep 2019
Non-Executive Director, WOB mentor and executive leadership consultant, Sheena Wilson was a special guest at the latest WOBMeet in Perth last week. Sheena, who was over from Melbourne, joined WOB Executive Director Claire Braund, at the 5-7pm networking event, to provide attendees with some sage advice about mentoring, career development and helping individuals with career transitions.
What is on the agenda of an O&G company
01 Sep 2019
Among the top items on the boardroom agenda in the oil and gas sector in 2019 are finance, health, safety & environment and engaging with community around land access, according to experienced Non-Executive Director, Marie Malaxos. She said this represents a significant shift from 10-plus years ago and reflects the increased community engagement in oil and gas projects via digital and social media and the change in community attitudes towards resource extraction.
The WOB Jobs Board - the stats, cats, racing and more...
24 Aug 2019
The WOB ‘Jobs Board’ is well recognised as the place to post a board or committee role if you are serious about finding a female director for your organisation. It’s free to post a position, the information is quality checked and controlled, all positions are communicated weekly to the entire WOB database and applications numbers are monitored and additional services offered if required.
Are you prepared for the new Whistleblower laws? Penalties do apply!
16 Aug 2019
Hint – the new law has nothing to do with sport referees and their whistles.
Did you know that new laws went into effect on the 1 July 2019 in respect to whistleblowers? And did you know that there are significant fines associated with non-compliance? For example, penalties greater than $1m for an individual or greater than $10m or 25% of annual turnover (capped at $525m) for a company. Are your boards and organisations prepared for this new law?
In The Fox Hole
02 Aug 2019
Recent WOBSX graduate and the latest addition to the board of Syrah Resources (ASX: SYR), Sara Watts, was in The Fox Hole in Sydney’s CBD last week, to talk about her journey to the boardroom at our latest WOBMeet event.
In Conversation in Brisbane
02 Aug 2019
Sage and strategic advice was the order of the day from the experienced panel interviewed by WOB Executive Director, Claire Braund, in Brisbane last Thursday (1 August).
Aim low and the outcome is predictable
26 Jul 2019
MEDIA RELEASE:-
The news from the AICD that Australia's top 200 ASX listed companies have failed to achieve 30% of women in board roles comes as little surprise to Women on Boards.
WOB Meets in Brisbane
22 Jul 2019
There was an excited hum in the air to kick off Brisbane’s first WOB Meet on 18 July. From first time members to long term WOBers ,everyone was looking forward to having some fun and meeting likeminded women. The venue was a cosy downstairs bar that, as one woman said, was like sitting in someone’s loungeroom and added to the convivial atmosphere.
WOB Board Vacancies Continue to Grow
22 Jul 2019
An innovative and unique service that's been provided by Women on Boards since 2006 is our Board & Committee Vacancy listing. We are delighted to report that our Vacancies continue to grow, with WOB posting more than two and a half thousand vacancies in 2018, an increase of 164% in just 12 months.
The new way to balanced boards
09 Jul 2019
As latest reports from the UK and Australia show we still have a way to go to reach 40:40:20 gender balanced boards, but there are trends in board recruitment that are helping to move things in the right direction.
WOB Meets in WA
01 Jul 2019
A great group of WOB WA members attended the very first WOBMeet held last week at The George in Perth. From 5pm the wild weather and rain hit. but this didn’t deter members from wading through water and traffic problems to attend the evening.
Looking at Boards through the lens of international development
24 Jun 2019
MARGIE COOK joined WoB a few months back. In January 2019 she was awarded the AO for services to the international community for the promotion of democratic electoral processes and for human rights. She penned this article for Women on Boards.
24% Females in Federal Government
11 Jun 2019
Congratulations to all the of women who stood in the Federal election to Parliament in May 2019 and to the 46 who succeeded in being elected in the House of Representatives and the 35 continuing or re-elected to the Senate. Of the 81 women, just 27 are in the Morrison Government. This means that 24% of our Federal Government representatives are female.
Director & Chair Selection: A skills mismatch
04 Jun 2019
There is a mismatch in the skills and experience boards are recruited on and those that are effective in the boardroom, according to Stanislaw Shekshnia, Senior Affiliate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Family Entrepreneurship at INSEAD.
A new direction for boards
03 Jun 2019
Board recruitment by established companies has been slow to adapt to the challenges of AI, automation, and the changing workforce, says Women on Boards Chair Ruth Medd.
WOBSX Graduate Achieves ASX Success
01 Jun 2019
Women on Boards was delighted when Jim Askew, the Chair of Syrah Resources, announced in his AGM address on 24 May 2019, that “Ms Sara Watts has consented to act as a Non-Executive Director. “
Our Game is Changing!
20 May 2019
Victoria is gearing up to implement a 40% minimum quota for female representation on sports boards, effective from 1 July 2019, while Stephanie Spence proved age is no barrier on a sports board.
WOBMeet Melbourne kicks off with a full house
06 May 2019
A chance to master the elevator pitch over duck pancakes and a glass of vino.
A funky little Melbourne wine bar called Seamstress was the venue for our inaugural WOBMeet, held last Tuesday night as an event exclusively for subscribed members.
Male Coalition candidates twice as likely to win as women
15 Apr 2019
Being someone who has an overdeveloped interest in politics, I have just completed the exercise of seeing how many women are standing in the upcoming Federal election on 18 May from the Liberal / National Party side of politics.
What Can Directors Earn?
01 Apr 2019
A common question we’re asked at Women on Boards is how much can a Non-Executive Director (NED) earn? From the thousands of board vacancies we’ve posted, we know it varies depending on the type and size of organisation (e.g. not for profit, government or ASX) as well as the industry. We’ll briefly take you through some of these.
Click here .... this article is subscribers only content.
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Golden Skirts & Tweedy Trousers
01 Apr 2019
Graeme Samuel’s rather unfortunate public comments about the impenetrable "girls' club" in Australian boardrooms (the ‘Golden Skirts’) has conveniently taken the spotlight off the “Tweedy Trousers” club and ignored many of the real issues around Non-Executive Director recruitment.
NSW has a female Premier, but pipeline needs priming
25 Mar 2019
NSW may have elected a female Liberal leader for the first time, but the overall numbers are looking a bit grim for the Coalition Government in the Legislative Assembly when it comes to gender. If Wendy Lindsay is elected in East Hills and The Nationals retain Dubbo, then there will be 13 women sitting in the Lower House from 48 government representatives.
WOB welcomes Western Water
18 Mar 2019
Nicole Misurelli, Western Water’s Manager of Employee Relations and Business Transformation, knew how valuable a corporate subscription was to Women on Boards.
Financial Gender Balance 40:40:20
08 Mar 2019
MEDIA RELEASE IWD2019
Women on Boards has called for Australian governments and businesses to urgently prioritise closing both the gender-pay and gender-investment gaps to achieve #balanceforbetter.
Leanne has 21 reasons to celebrate
04 Mar 2019
Long term WOB subscriber, Leanne Heywood, has celebrated her graduation from our boutique WOBSX program in 2018 with two new ASX roles.
Mentored into a Board Role
21 Jan 2019
Gina McClement credits amazing support through the WOB mentorship program for her success in achieving a board position on Basketball NSW, which she took up on 1 January 2019. She describes this as her first active directorship and is fullsome in her praise for WOB mentor, Cheryl Hayman.
What I've Learnt About Being A Charity Trustee
06 Dec 2018
Gail Emerson, Women on Boards' CRM Marketing Manager, reflects on her time on as Chair of Lambeth Rathbone's board of trustees.
This article from Gail Emerson, WOB UK, shares six learnings from her time on a Charity (Not For Profit) board in the UK.
World class business school comes to Australia
22 Oct 2018
INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre (ICGC), in partnership with Women on Boards (WOB), will launch its highly acclaimed International Directors Programme (IDP) in Australia in 2019.
Mandatory quota needed for Liberal Party pre-selection
11 Sep 2018
Women on Boards (WOB) has called on the Federal Liberal Party to introduce a quota for female candidates at pre-selection and adopt a program of culture change and reform if it is to remain relevant to Australian voters.
Rain & Records | More Required
27 Aug 2018
It rained across some of parched NSW over the weekend. Welcome water from the vaporised tears of millions of Australians perhaps? Voters frustrated, angry and just plain upset over the nonsense in Parliament last week? Because not since Julia Gillard was deposed (so no need for the ALP to be smug) have we seen such acts of pure self-interest from the elected representatives in our national capital.
Get on Board
01 Aug 2018
Adding a board appointment to your CV, is a sure way to draw attendtion to your capabilities while catapulting your career up the ladder of success.
Reflections from INSEAD
25 Jun 2018
This week I was in Singapore as a member of the WOB contingent attending session one of the INSEAD International Directors Program. The group of 40 or so was extremely diverse in terms of culture, professional experience and background.
Tips for ASX Success
14 May 2018
Women on Boards is increasingly being asked to assist with the recruitment of directors for ASX listed companies, as they seek to diversify the skills and expertise of their board.
Why the Influence of Women on Boards Still Lags
05 Mar 2018
The representation of women on corporate boards has risen substantially over the past
decade, but the growth rate is slowing. Meanwhile women’s power on the boards on
which they sit is often limited.
Resilience - the hidden trait
04 Feb 2018
Our experiences on the Women on Boards Next Generation of Corporate Female Leaders Program influenced the selection of our project theme. The first session held in Sydney challenged traditional leadership models and explored the more contemporary capabilities required of leaders in the future. The rapid pace of change and disruption experienced by business and increasing complexity is making it more difficult for leaders to predict and plan for future events and impacts.
The Cassowary Caper
29 Jan 2018
Your scribe continues to visit the hot climates of northern Australia. In 2017, I wrote about what I did in my holidays in an article featuring the crocodile (a lovely pet according to ABC news item in the silly season)
WOB yields great dividend
15 Jan 2018
The annual survey of the positions posted with WOB finds that the number continues to grow and in 2017 close to 20 per cent of the Not for Profit entities listed with WOB continued to pay director fees.
Nine Tips of Mentoring
19 Dec 2017
Mentoring is probably the most powerful developmental process people can experience. And when it works, it develops two for the price of one. In mentoring, the relationship between mentor and mentee is all-important. In this article, WOB Director and experienced mentor, Cheryl Hayman, gives nine key tips for making the relationship work.
WOB Christmas Cheer
19 Dec 2017
Our call out for favourite traditional family Christmas recipes produced some yummy results for all to try.
Win Like Winx
10 Nov 2017
Mighty racing mare,Winx, might appear to be the fastest and best, but that is because she takes the lead and is the first past the post. CLICK HERE for the full article.
By Dr Judith Chapman, November 2017
Anticipated rise in NFPs paying directors
10 Nov 2017
The WOB annual survey of the board and committee positions posted on our website will be released in December. It is anticipated that the upwards trend in those offering board members some form of remuneration will continue to rise. The figure was 18 per cent in 2016.
Ruth's Roaming
03 Nov 2017
It's been a busy time over the past couple of weeks. From the bright lights of the big cities to chocolate farming in FNQ - where awards have been won!
Marketplace for Innovation 2018
27 Oct 2017
Two new events will be held in Q1 of 2018 for the WOB Marketplace for Innovation following on from our launch event in mid-2017 kindly hosted by AON. The format was speakers followed by table mentoring and attendees were a mix of WOB entrepreneurs and WOB members interested in early stage companies. It was a great evening with unexpected connections made and new relationships formed.
Start Early...and Go Far
27 Oct 2017
Our boards and committees event for aspiring younger directors in Melbourne this week was a roaring success. A big thank you to hosts, Mercer, and the two panellists, Jenny Taing and Michelle Di-Fabio, who provided some great advice for the audience, many of whom had not considered boards or committees this early in their career.
The UK and the New Reality of Gender Pay Equity
13 Oct 2017
I recently attended a seminar in London on the new mandatory reporting on gender pay. The event was co-sponsored by Huntswood, a UK based specialist resourcing and consulting firm that focuses on governance, risk and compliance and Women on Boards UK. The statistics were pretty amazing and alarming, and while the data and insights are from UK organisations, I am sure that the underlying results would be the same in most of the world.
CPA Today
13 Oct 2017
"If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools." – Plato
Clearly Plato was not an accountant or a member of the CPA Australia, but never let it be said that your scribe and WOB suffered this prophesy. The very public agitating of a group of members over this past year has produced some good news for CPA Australia. Nine new appointments have been made to the board.
The value of Posting a Position with WOB
06 Oct 2017
Women on Boards receives regular compliments about our Post a Position service. In particular how it provides organisations seeking board and committee members with high quality applicants and an opportunity to particularly promote positions to women.
The good (amazing) women of South32
06 Oct 2017
This week I flew via Cairns, Gove and Darwin to Groote Eylandt as a guest of South32 – the global mining company demerged from BHP in 2015, listed on three continents and with operations across five countries. South32 is the latest corporate member of Women on Boards.
British sister marks 5 year anniversary
22 Sep 2017
Many of you know that Women on Boards established an operation in the UK in 2012 – exactly five years ago this month. If you haven’t already then jump onto our website and select WOB UK at the top left corner and have a browse. Some great articles and useful tips - as applicable here as in the UK.
A good news story on Victorian Government boards
15 Sep 2017
In 2016 Women on Boards put a lot of effort into encouraging members to apply for Victorian Government Boards. Clearly it worked as the figures from the Victorian Government show:
“In 2017, women now make up 54 per cent of all Victorian health service and public hospital service board members, compared to just 45 per cent in 2015. There are now more than 400 women on Victorian hospital boards - an increase of more than 70.
The value of ‘having a go’
15 Sep 2017
Last weekend I stood on a polling booth for 10 hours handing out how to votes and seeking to convince voters to elect me as an independent to the Central Coast Council. Others, including Ruth Medd, graciously gave up all or half of their days to do the same. Many heart-warming and humourous interactions with other polling booth workers and voters made the day go relatively quickly. Our pitch was strong and we were feeling good.
WOB & the Girl Guides
08 Sep 2017
Regular readers will be aware of WOB’s interest in encouraging women in the earlier stage of their careers - in their 30's - to join a board. Often the response is:
- Am I too young?
- Do I have any skills a board would want?
The answers are 'no' then 'yes'.
Gender heard before my words
01 Sep 2017
These were the words of the current World Champion in Persuasive Speaking, Jacqueline Farrell, at the Ravenswood School for Girls last night. Speaking at an empowerment event organised by the prefect body at the school, Jacqueline (Year 12) opened with an account of what it meant to be of the female gender. “My gender is heard before my words” she told us – illustrating how through body language, vocal tone and mansplaining, men were constantly at an advantage. It might have been a useful eye opener for the young men from various private male boys schools who were part of the assembled audience of prefects, staff and parents.
Spreading the word in Singapore
25 Aug 2017
Women on Boards was pleased to be invited to the Singapore Australia High Level Women’s Dialogue on 21 August 2017. Your scribe attended as the WOB representative.
My bid for Central Coast Council
18 Aug 2017
Those of you who have attended a WOB event may have heard me describe myself as an advocate. Well it might be my biggest advocacy challenge yet if I am elected to Central Coast Council on 9th September.
Yes, I have decided to put my hand up at the first elections for our merged super council – formerly Wyong and Gosford - which is now the third largest in NSW. Needless to say, it will be a challenge – both to be elected and, if successful, to be one of 15 councillors in an area with 330,000 people
Director Remuneration across jurisdictions
18 Aug 2017
This week we have an interesting perspective on director remuneration, remunerating charity boards.
Ruth’s Review of 7 July 2017 canvassed why you might do this and what level of remuneration may be appropriate. But for a fuller exploration of the issues check out the ACNC report on Remuneration which also sets out some questions that a charity should consider when deciding whether or not to pay its board members; including:
World Wide WOB and the three MMMs
11 Aug 2017
When the plane trip from UK to Australia starts to drag I usually listen to the three tenors on the entertainment system.
So, it was while enjoying the glorious sounds of Domingo, Carreras and Pavarotti on my recent return trip from the UK that turn my mind turned to WOB’s three MMM’s. That is - the Maldives, Malta and Mongolia.
Leading from the emerging future
11 Aug 2017
A demanding and highly experiential leadership program to challenge the way you build skills to collaborate, co-create and co-lead. Sounds like something the embattled companies being featured daily in the news might like to consider.
No rest for CPA
04 Aug 2017
Having returned from a successful four weeks with the colleagues at WOB UK your scribe is now back onto the thorny matter of CPA Australia.
Firstly and most importantly, all WOB members who are CPAs are encouraged to sign the spill petition (6,000 signatures are needed) to requisition an EGM to debate a board spill and other motions. Well done to Jen Dalitz and other diligent CPA members for getting this underway.
Wonder woman is not based on a true story
04 Aug 2017
My topic this week is one that has caused great controversy of late in the media. It follows the explosive ABC reports by Julia Baird and Hayley Gleeson alleging links between Christian faith, gender and family violence. Aired over two nights on ABC and followed up extensively in the media, the reports have caused churches across Australia further angst on top of the Pandora's box of opened by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Experts Advise You Seek Help
28 Jul 2017
WOB UK runs regular FTSE breakfasts for WOB members to hear from experienced directors and headhunters. Your scribe attended one recently where the guest speakers were Sue Kilsby, Chair of Shire PLC - a leading global biotechnology company focused on serving people with rare diseases - and Karin Barnick, partner at Korn Ferry.
Sue, an investment banker by profession, spoke engagingly about her FTSE career, which has seen her appointed as a Non-Executive Director to the boards of BBA Aviation PLC, Goldman Sachs International and Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc. Great tips for those in the audience.
Karin then spoke about the head hunter scene in London which revealed that, as expected, the top headhunters in London take much the same approach as their Australian counterparts. She provided some interesting data on FTSE 350 boards.
When 'Independence' fuels dysfunction
28 Jul 2017
Alex Malley's ears might have been burning again this week if they were not already scorched off by the roasting he has received in relation to his tenure as CEO of CPA Australia. He was the exclusive case study of Peter Swan AO FSSA, Emeritus Professor the Unviersity of NSW Business School, in his address to a joint Women on Boards / Clayton Utz lunch helpfully titled "Cult of the CEO: CPA Australia and how its non-standards helps generate ASX governance dysfunction".
Gender Pay Gap in the UK
21 Jul 2017
In November 2014 the UK Office of National Statistics published a report revealing that in the year to April 2014, the gender pay gap for all employees stood at 19.1%, down from 19.8% in 2013. The gap has also decreased in the long-term, from 27.5% in 1997. Despite the decrease in the pay gap, the rate of progress is widely-considered to be too slow.
What to pay a Not-for-Profit director
07 Jul 2017
WOB is regularly asked about director remuneration. Most often the question is what should a Not-for-Profit (NFP) pay its directors? This usually occurs as the board readies itself to pay their appointed members.
Most Not-for-Profits do not remunerate their directors. However, those that are running a business with staff and resources are increasingly likely to do so.
There are a number of surveys done annually on this topic. Some are publicly available and others require payment. WOBs posted vacancies is a perfect regime for surveying remuneration trends. As such we have collected data over many years.
Maximising Board Success
29 Jun 2017
Developing your board career is a matter of persistence and vigilance. You never know when your ideal opportunity will appear. WOB regularly does search assignments for companies seeking Non-Executive-Directors. Often these are paid roles on interesting boards, well suited to some WOB subscribers.
CPA celebrates EOFY with ‘Own Goals’
23 Jun 2017
No-one likes it when their team kicks its own goal. Indeed, journalists and commentators often engage in hot debate about which is the worst ‘own goal’ across the many sports codes. However, there is little doubt that as we approach the end of the financial year, that CPA Australia has taken the prize for the most own goals scored in the shortest period of time in corporate history.
It’s a boy’s club – back off!
23 Jun 2017
This was the advice given by a team of senior men to a woman at a financial services firm who was trying to make some changes to the 'business as usual' approach her colleagues seemed to enjoy. Apparently change was not on the agenda. The anecdote was recounted to the 32 women taking part in the 2017 WOB Next Generation of Corporate Female Leaders program in Sydney this week. Heads nodded.
Faith Based Boards
16 Jun 2017
A recent column commented on the rise of postings of faith based postings with WOB.
The Uniting Church (UC) has posted with WOB over many years. So WOB is delighted that the UC has begun a formal partnership with us to assist with their governance, leadership and diversity objectives.
Beyond Gender
16 Jun 2017
The trend towards engaging men on gender equality might have more benefits that first realised. Over the past two years we have been moving to a new paradigm around men 'owning the problems of gender inequality' as highlighted in a timely new Diversity Council Australia report titled Men Make a Difference: Engaging Men on Gender Equality.
WOB members support CPA reform
09 Jun 2017
The trials and tribulations at CPA Australia continue apace, with fresh revelations today that this week the NSW Government is threatening to deregister it as a professional standards body. This is principally because the loss-making business championed by CEO Alex Malley, CPA Australia Advice, competes with the members of CPA Australia.
Coupled with the resignations of Kerry Ryan and Richard Alston from the board and the very public renouncing of membership by David Murray, it’s been a tough week.
WOB not afraid to speak
02 Jun 2017
CPA Australia has released the individual director and CEO remuneration details; plus other information in response to membership questions. They have finally done the right thing by their members with regard to remuneration disclosure.
Staying in Wonderland
02 Jun 2017
"This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the blue pill—the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill—you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. Remember: all I'm offering is the truth. Nothing more." (The Matrix)
Was the film, The Red Pill, as controversial and anti-women as I had been led to expect?
The Red Pill Beckons
26 May 2017
Tomorrow I am going to a screening of American documentary film by feminist, Cassie Jaye, that explores the men's rights movement.
Be Prepared for Your Marketplace
26 May 2017
Last week’s item on the ASX company for which WOB is doing a board search was the subject of a lot of attention. It certainly kept my inbox full!
For some WOBers it was a case of putting their hat into the ring for the role, despite the realisation they had little chance of success. This is not a bad thing. It was heartening to us that the ASX position inspired them to action.
Recruiting for ASX
19 May 2017
The types of vacancies posted with WOB vary widely across organisations and sectors. Increasingly ASX companies are coming our way as they realise WOB offers a unique database of aspirant (and often not well known) women with the skills and experience to fill board roles. This is good news for WOB subscribers seeking an initial or their next ASX board.
Brave new world
19 May 2017
Robots joining unions, data for sale on the dark net, skewed algorithms for NDIS avatars ... we discussed it all at the WOB Director's Circle in Sydney on 18 May ... and more besides.
Budget brickbats and bouquets
12 May 2017
Australia has not had a Women's Budget Statement since it was dropped in 2014 by then Prime Minister and Minister for Women, Tony Abbott. While many felt it was insufficiently resourced the principal around the statement was important.
Why do we need a women's budget statement? Surely the budget impacts equally on men as well as women?
Live from Canberra
12 May 2017
Budget week in Canberra is fun – if hectic.
Your scribe was at Parliament House on budget night to listen to the Treasurer's budget speech. This was followed by the NFAW Gender Lens conference call where the assembled experts gave their first impressions of the impact of the budget on women.
The right thing to do
05 May 2017
Word on the street is that there are CPA members who are concerned about the governance of their respected body, but feel they cannot speak publicly. Women on Boards has a history of calling out the laggards and will continue to do so. Your scribe is a CPA member of some 30+ years.
WOB: A great network
28 Apr 2017
Women on Boards is a global network of some 40,000+ women who largely work on the principle of reciprocity. We work to underpin this approach with a wide range of development offerings.
Making a Difference
28 Apr 2017
Today WOB attended the Lifeline Steel Magnolia Awards on the NSW Central Coast. Six finalists in an award that recognises a woman who overcame, who lifted herself up and who did something for others.
A matter of governance
21 Apr 2017
Not for Profit organisations range from small bodies or local service providers in areas such as disability and transport, to significant enterprises registered as unlisted companies limited by guarantee, such as CPA Australia (CPAA).
Start-up for flexibility
21 Apr 2017
It is always useful to remind myself that Women on Boards was once a start-up. An idea that had its genesis back in 2001, tested the market until 2005 and formed in 2006. At the time Ruth and I founded WOB, I had an eight month old daugther, was working from our first (tiny) home on the Central Coast of NSW and thinking how, at 35 years of age, I might seek to make a difference for women.
What you know not what you do
07 Apr 2017
Some of you may have seen that the Minister for Communications has announced the demise of the Catalyst Australian Arts and Culture Fund.
‘The Government has announced that the majority of funds from Catalyst will be transferred to the Australia Council from 1 July 2017.’
First my declaration. Your scribe is an independent assessor for this program. And it’s a (tiny $) paid gig.
The background is that a previous Minister for the Arts carved out some funding for projects not typically funded by the Australia Council; the established federal government funding body for the arts.
The Hay Times
07 Apr 2017
There is no doubt that being born of the land gives you a tenacity that stands you in good stead throughout your life. I was reminded of this again on two occasions this week; at the 2017 NSW Rural Women's Award gala dinner at Parliament House and, in an address I gave to the Sydney Hills Business Chamber.
Shining a light on boards for under 35s
31 Mar 2017
You may have noticed WOB has an ever-increasing number of board and committee positions available. As of 31 March 2017 there are 70 current vacancies. To date we have received 250 positions posted since 1 January 2017 - many with multiple positions available.
George unlikely to get #nakedforchange
31 Mar 2017
This week I noticed a few amusing news items come across my desk. BKindred founder, Penny Locaso, delivered a keynote presentation in a swimsuit, George Brandis told Parliament that being called a white man" was “deeply offensive and insulting" and a UK national newspaper asked readers whether the British or Scottish Prime Minister had better legs?
Quotas for Australian Honours
24 Mar 2017
Being awarded an Australian Honour is highly regarded and signals your contribution to your profession, industry or cause. As is the case on governing bodies, women are under-represented in the Australian Honours awarded on the occasions of Australia Day and Queen's Birthday.
Women up in lights
24 Mar 2017
Do you think the move to include female pedestrian signals is a positive addition to the City of Melbourne?
BDI Strategy and Tactics
17 Mar 2017
International Women's Day is now behind us and we there are some items worthy of note.
- Gear up Girls was a great success, organised by the very capable crew at Bicycle NSW, who as it happens are seeking a board member (ID4834).
- The winner of the 2017 TAP Gallery IWD art prize was Debbie Nankervis with her work titled Sister Cities. WOB previously sponsored this prize and I have taken this on personally.
- The AFR BOSS article of 6th March 2017 which featured an interview with Ruth and Claire received many compliments. Thank you.
Dead men and the 'Daughters of Henry Wong'
10 Mar 2017
International Women’s Day is all about us as women. So make sure everyone notices. Women on Boards has been doing its bit – Claire in the OzHarvest CEO Cookoff, Ruth taking part in the Gear up Girls bike ride and donating to the TAP Gallery IWD Art Prize.
Safety First
02 Mar 2017
WOB believes that there is a board for everyone at all stages of your career journey. So don’t be hesitant in applying for a role. WOB is here to help!
Stop Fixing Women
02 Mar 2017
The title of Catherine Fox's latest book is meant to be as provocative as it reads. For too long we have focussed on blaming women rather than shifting the system.
- A system built and designed by white anglo-saxon men to benefit white anglo saxon men.
- A system that normalises white anglo-saxon male behaviours across government, business and society.
- A system that says because we legislate for equality we will get equity.
Catherine's new book looks at why the system needs to flex to accommodate differences between men and women and the way they work and lead. Rather than endlessly work on the women to adapt to and benefit from a system we had little hand in creating.
Gear up Girl 2017
24 Feb 2017
Yours truly was delighted to be invited to become an ambassador for the 2017 Gear up Girl, the annual community bike ride of Bicycle NSW and the Heart Foundation.
‘The ride shows off some of Sydney’s most spectacular separated cycle ways. Starting at Sydney Olympic Park and finishing in a festival atmosphere at Cronulla Beach. With 20km, 40km and 60km options; there is a ride to suit you and all your friends.’
A League of Extraordinary Women
24 Feb 2017
This week I was in Brisbane presenting one of our 'get to know WOB information evenings.' Another great crowd of professional, skilled and diverse women with so much to offer our organisations. Just like the women in Sydney and Melbourne last week - and so it goes, in every city, every year.
More on Government Boards
17 Feb 2017
This column has previously canvassed the desirability of including a government board in your portfolio of career activities.
Take care not to legitimise bias
17 Feb 2017
The news today that the Law Council of Australia will roll out a program of unconscious bias training for barristers and law firms, raises more questions than it answers. Universally acclaimed as the new thing in training three or four years ago, there is little evidence to show this approach has reduced the outcome of biases in the workplace - for example, closing the gender pay gap or leading to a significant improvement in the number of women in top leadership roles.
Beyond Boards and CVs
10 Feb 2017
WOB is a movement for change. It has been this since the original idea was broached. We went where others did not tread. We are enthusiastically ‘on the job’ after 10 years.
Women's rights - not as safe as we assume.
10 Feb 2017
We often assume that women's rights, like wine, will mature and improve over time. The truth is that both are influenced by many factors and require significant effort, commitment and financial investment to achieve and maintain.
Focus on Government Boards
03 Feb 2017
Women on Boards has a track record of working with Governments who are actively seeking to increase the representation of females on their boards and committees. We also lobby others who should be doing more - Western Australia comes to mind.
It's the little things that count
03 Feb 2017
It has been something of a rough start to the year. From the tragedy in Melbourne to Trump's executive orders on abortion, refugees and trade, it seems hard to make sense of the world we live in at the moment.
On the shoulders of others
09 Dec 2016
Occasional address by Claire Braund at the 121st Speech Day of the New England Girls’ School, Armidale NSW on 7th December 2016.
The Crocodile Times
09 Dec 2016
Your scribe continues to visit hot climes. This past week it’s been Mission Beach, Cairns and the Atherton Tablelands. All at 35 degrees but with little wind, unlike the biking expedition in South Australia in November.
Growing Number of Not For Profits Pay Directors
02 Dec 2016
The annual survey of the positions posted with Women on Boards 2016 has found that close to 20 per cent of the Not For Profit entities pay director fees
The survey of positions posted from 1 January until the end of November 2016, found that of the board vacancies posted on our website in the categories of Charity/NFP; Foundation / Trust and Sporting Body in 2016:
Coffee chats in the diverse, digital and dichotomous world of 2016
25 Nov 2016
I have an interesting and ongoing conversation with a male friend of mine about older white men being increasingly marginalised by the rise of feminine power in Australia and the wider world. As all of our work at WOB is focussed on building the capacity of women to lead and affect change, it made me reflect on our purpose and if we need to talk about the elephants in the room. Men!
Action needed on world class dataset
18 Nov 2016
Australia has a first in class dataset on gendered workforce employment. To give you a sense of the scale of this dataset, in 2016 more than 12,000 employers provided a gendered break down of their workforce of more than four million employees. That's a lot of numbers to be crunched by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) which this week released its third Gender Equality Scorecard
Pathway to success with WOB
18 Nov 2016
There are many pathways to the boardroom and some of them are longer and more circuitous than others. Few aspirant non-executive-directors (male or female) will leave a role and leap onto boards in short order. Many hedge their bets, starting earlier in their career by combining boards with executive roles or establishing a portfolio career of boards plus consultancy/advisory activities.
US accepts a flawed man, but not a flawed woman
11 Nov 2016
The world's top job once again goes to a white anglo-saxon man. This time it also goes to a man who has a history of treating women like something he scraped off the bottom of his shoe. A man who has bragged about "grabbing women by the pussy" and said we should be "punished for having abortions."
The tough job of being a female CEO
04 Nov 2016
Are female CEOs and political leaders more likely to be handed a poisoned chalice and then their gender used to blame them when they fail?
An option for improving Australia's Paid Parental Leave scheme that doesn't attack 'double dippers'
28 Oct 2016
The Coalition Government is pushing legislation through the Senate to end "double dipping" by new mothers who receive paid maternity leave from their employers as well as from the government through the Paid Parental Leave scheme, with the changes to potentially take effect as early as January 2017.
The move has come up against significant public backlash, with the Opposition predicting around 80,000 new mothers could lose up to $12,000 in such payments every year, including thousands who are already pregnant.
Earlier this week Women's Agenda published a proposal WOB took to the Federal Government on paid parental leave in 2015. WOB believes it's a solution that's fairer across the long term and will ultimately provide more mothers with the 26 weeks paid leave that will help them bond with their babies and return to work. It also aims to give fathers and partners access to more paid leave, AND to achieve some of the significant savings needed.
Boardlinks needs better balance
29 Sep 2016
The Liberal Government has not covered itself in glory when it comes to promoting women into leadership roles and its latest efforts with regard to Government boards and committees are lacklustre to say the least.
Parties close – but not on gender
21 Jun 2016
Analysis by Women on Boards shows that 45.3 per cent of the candidates standing for election for the ALP are female, compared with 28.6 per cent for the Coalition. The Greens are the most gender balanced on 50 per cent with the Xenophon Party at 33.3 per cent.
Be Prepared
17 Feb 2016
Weekly postings of board vacancies are tracking upwards as organisations emerge from the holiday period. To date, some 90 new boards and committees have been listed with WOB. Many of these offer multiple board seats. This week NSW government vacancies have returned.
Numbers Matter in Politics
10 Apr 2015
I recently posted on Linked In that it was good to see media reporting on the number of men and women appointed to Parliament in the recent NSW election, but sad to see only 30% female MPs, with 23 per cent in the governing Coalition. A comment on the post implied we should not measure the success of women by their number in politics as the selection process is flawed, but then went on to say we are very fortunate as women in Australia to have Julia Bishop as a role model. Emphasis on the singular. While Ms Bishop is an excellent role model (as was Julia Gillard, Amanda Vanstone and others before her) it bears remembering that she is only one of two women in a cabinet of 19 - giving a shade over 10 per cent female representation.