What is BoardsCount™?

The pressure has been on boards in the last few years. There have been scandals in a few large private sector corporations; there have been commissions on public, private and voluntary sector governance; and there has been a bewildering array of advice to support boards.

Good boards learn and adapt. But when the buck stops with you, with your board, how do you know you are doing a good job? How do you get the reassurance you need? One of the most important things a board can do in this respect is to put in place the means to get feedback- and to reflect on that feedback, so you can make the right changes based on evidence. But there are many ways of getting feedback. Which approach is right for your board?

BoardsCount™ is one of a range of tools that are currently available. Uniquely, it gives you the objective data you need about what other boards do. So, you can ask better questions. So you can plan the changes you need to make. And so that you can celebrate the gains you have already made.

How did BoardsCount™ come about?

Transform Management Consultancy, in partnership with The Governance Hub, launched BoardsCount™ as a new benchmarking service focused specifically on the governance of Third Sector Organisations. The service was developed and led by a Steering Group comprising Chairs, CEOs and senior Directors of a range of Third Sector bodies and their umbrella organisations.

It was developed by sector people with the sector in mind.

Benefits for participating organisations

By taking part in BoardsCount™, you get a clear picture of how the governance practices in your organisation compare with those in other third sector organisations.

Participating in the service also helps English registered charities to assess how far their organisation complies with the new Code of Good Governance.

BoardsCount™ gives you the tools to:

• Position your board to be more effective for the future
• Support your efforts in developing and retaining great board members
• Provide early warning signs of potential challenges
• Give reassurance on what is already working well
• Help determine priorities for action
• Motivate board members by seeing what is possible
• Set meaningful and realistic targets
• Gain new insights on good practice

If you use BoardsCount™ more than once, you can also see how your organisation has changed in relation to others.