David Harvey argues that, for many companies, non-executive directors are a valuable asset, not an expensive luxury.

NED cred

The perfect NED should be:
  • a comfort factor for third parties – investors, creditors and potential partners;
  • genuinely independent;
  • better equipped than other directors to arbitrate during disputes;
  • able to improve the efficiency of board procedures;
  • a factor for continuity if in the post for a number of years;
  • happy to depart when they have nothing fresh to offer.

    • Source

    Electrical and Mechanical Contractor

    Postscript

    David Harvey is secretary of the Small Business Committee at the ACCA and a director of the Institute for Small Business Affairs.