Strengthening the Contribution of Non-Executive Directors and Trustees to Scottish Boards in the Private, Public and Third Sectors

Abstract

This study examines the contributions, roles, skills, training opportunities and recruitment procedures of non-executive directors (or trustees) in public, private and Third sector organisations in Scotland, and how improvements to these could be made. Information was gathered through 30 semi-structured face-to-face and 270 online questionnaires with non-executive directors/trustees and executive directors. The results suggest a need for both the clarification of roles and for advanced training, in order to add greater value to the performance of Scottish boards. The research was guided by a Steering Group consisting of Karen Carlton (former Public Appointments Commissioner for Scotland), John Ferguson (Director, Development and Programmes, SCVO), David Watt (Director, IoD Scotland), Professor Ronald McQuaid (Director, Employment Research Institute), Professor Charles Edwards (Director, Edinburgh Institute for Leadership & Management Practice) and Professor George Stonehouse (Dean, Edinburgh Napier University Business School). The study was carried out by the Employment Research Institute and funded by the Edinburgh Napier University Business School. The authors take responsibility for its contents.