Over the last couple of months, our Membership Committee has held two further well-attended online professional/networking evenings on topics of professional interest using Zoom technology. Although the virtual events can never really replace our physical meetings and the personal interactions that take place there, they have proved to be a useful way of keeping in touch with each other and with current professional issues.

Court Assistant Sharon Constançon gave a presentation on 9 September on an issue which was very familiar to those of us working or who have worked in the governance field with boards: ‘why people are your board’s biggest problem’. Sharon gave us some fascinating insights from her extensive work with boards from a variety of companies, in particular the effect, good or bad, that powerful personalities can have on a board’s dynamics and effectiveness. Very often this can remain unseen or, where damaging, unchallenged. The role of the board secretary is crucial in helping to draw these issues out and to manage them.

The Committee is planning a series of such events up to Christmas and probably beyond. It would be good to get a few more Liverymen and apprentices attending – remember, it is easy to log in from the comfort of your own home and the events represent an hour’s CPD.

Les Smith, Chair of the Membership Committee