Programme Details

Eligibility Criteria

OnBoard work with individuals in the first ten years of their working life, who come from communities impacted by social and economical inequality. This means we will typically, but not exclusively, support people who are from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities and disadvantaged backgrounds.

To be selected, participants will have demonstrated, through their careers and other activities, that they have the attributes necessary to become highly successful board members.

Programme Timeline

Workshops

  • Over six months you will have six virtual and interactive workshops. Topics include governance and legal responsibilities, strategy and finance for boards, board dynamics and more.

Seminars

  • Using your strength on a Board

  • Finance for Board

  • Interview practice

Mentoring

You will be matched with two mentors to assist you throughout the programme:

  • one who is an experienced board member

  • one who is an experienced board recruiter

Networking

There are loads of opportunities for networking during the programme and will be sharing potential board and trustee roles along the way.

You will also have access to you fellow OnBoarders who will be on the course with you.

Some of Our Mentors

Tony Okotie

Tony is currently a Trustee of the Torus Foundation, and Deputy Chair and Senior Independent Director of Muir Housing Group and various other organisations as a non-executive Director within the NHS for thirteen years.

Jenny Watson CBE

Jenny is the Chair of Broadland Housing Group, House of St Barnabas and GAMSTOP Group. She’s the Vice Chair of Mossbourne Charitable Trust CIO and the Non Executive Director on a number of different boards.

Katie Watkins

Katie is Partner & Co-Head of Research at Saxton Bampfylde and has held a role as trustee of Age UK - Hereford & Localities.

Keith Leslie

Keith is Chair of Samaritans in UK & Ireland, Trustee of St Martin in the Fields Charity and author of ‘A Question Of Leadership’.

Some of Our Alumni

Claud Williams

Claud sits on the board of several organisations including two NHS Trusts, A South London Housing Association and is chair of a small charity.

Nina Ma

Nina is Trustee of Power2, Career Connect, Leap Confronting Conflict, Trustee and Digital Lead @The Wildlife Trusts.

Rebecca Grattage

Rebecca is a 'Boardroom Apprentice' at the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)

Shamima Akhtar

Shamima is Trustee of Community TechAid.

Our partners

FAQs

  • The programme consists of six workshops. At the moment two are in London and four online. All seminars are online, but there might be additional networking events for you to attend in person as well. You can also choose to participate in extra events online or in a hybrid format. Mentoring can be online or on person, depending on the preferences of you and your mentors

  • No - it is important to us that the programme is free for all participants.

  • Absolutely! We understand that travel expenses can be a concern. We offer reimbursement for individuals who may face financial constraints and are unable to afford travel to the sessions. If you find yourself in this situation, please let us know, and we'll provide assistance to ensure you can participate in the programme.

  • No, there's not much. About a week before the workshop, we might send you some reading materials—this could be anything from an article to an example board paper. The maximum time you'll likely need to spend on it is around 1 hour.

  • The programme is open to anyone who has faced multiple economic and/or social challenges in the past and is now in their first ten years of work. We choose talented individuals who come from a wide range of educational and career backgrounds and who we know have the potential to make valuable contributions as members of a board.

  • Once selected, we'll ask you to complete a brief survey where you can share your experiences and any preferences you have for the type of board you want to join and/or type of mentoring you need. Based on your responses, we'll do our best to match you with mentors who have similar experiences and the right expertise.

  • Not at all! Whilst some participants may have joined a board in the last 12 months, most have not. Whether you are hoping to join one in the next 24 months or are just deciding whether it is the right thing for you, you're welcome to join.

  • Absolutely! You can join as long as you are in your first 10 years of employment.

  • Yes, all six workshops are mandatory. While we highly recommend attending additional seminars, they are optional.