Non-Executive Director Services In Reading

Independent board experience for owner-managed Reading businesses

A Non-Executive Director brings an owner-managed Reading business an experienced outside voice on the board, as a trusted member of the team rather than an observer. They test decisions, keep the board accountable for what it has agreed and help build a stronger, more accountable management team, without the cost of a full-time executive. Secantor provides part-time Non-Executive Directors to businesses across Reading, Caversham and the M4 corridor, hearing the whole story before suggesting the NED we think fits your board.

This page covers the local service. Our national guide to the Non-Executive Director role explains the model in full, and you can also see our wider board-level support in Reading.

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What Does A Non-Executive Director Do For A Reading Business?

A Non-Executive Director sits on the board of a Reading business as an experienced, independent colleague who shares responsibility for how well the board decides. The areas of support typically include:

  • An outside perspective. A fresh view of what the board is deciding and whether it is being delivered.
  • Commercial judgement. A sounding board for your ideas, available between meetings when a decision cannot wait.
  • Developing the directors. Coaching the directors and building a stronger, more accountable management team.
  • Good governance. Board meetings with an agenda and the right information circulated in advance.
  • Goals and progress. Help in setting clear goals and reviewing progress against them.
  • A change of ownership. Support through a sale or succession, including mentoring the directors who will lead afterwards.
  • Introductions. To the banks, lenders and advisors who can help.

A Non-Executive Director works alongside a Finance Director where there is one: the NED brings independent challenge at board level, and the Finance Director runs reporting, forecasting and cash.

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When Does A Reading Business Need A Non-Executive Director?

Reading businesses turn to a Non-Executive Director when they want a fresh view from outside, someone to challenge the big decisions and a commercially experienced sounding board for the owner and directors. The NED also mentors the directors and helps strengthen an accountable management team. The need often becomes clear when a founder is planning to step back or sell, the owner has no one to push back, growth has outstripped the owner's own experience, or directors and shareholders see the future differently. Our case study on resolving boardroom conflict shows what an independent director can change.

How A Non-Executive Director Helped A Reading Business

A Reading engineering business with 50 staff first worked with Secantor through a Finance Director, one day a month. As the founder prepared to retire, the support changed shape. A Secantor Non-Executive Director mentored the executive directors through the transfer of ownership, keeping structured board meetings and the focus on margin in place while the leadership changed hands.

Seventeen years on, Secantor still works with the business as Finance Director and Non-Executive Director. Sales have more than doubled and net profit has grown from £50,000 to £850,000. Read the full case study.

A Non Executive Director discussing strategy with a business owner

How A Non-Executive Director Works With You

Appointing a Non-Executive Director starts with Secantor listening to how your board works today. We then suggest the NED whose experience suits the people and the challenge, or more than one if you would like to choose; all of our advisors are accredited by our directors and have held board-level roles themselves. Once appointed, the NED takes a seat at the table and contributes to the decisions the board makes, reviewing the papers before each meeting and staying reachable in between. You can raise or lower the time to suit the board.

What Does A Non-Executive Director Cost In Reading?

Secantor charges £1,200 a day plus VAT and expenses for a Non-Executive Director in Reading, invoiced monthly for the days worked. The time depends on how often your board meets and how much support you want between meetings, and you can increase or decrease it to suit the board's needs. See our Non-Executive Director service for more.

A Non Executive Director discussing business performance with an SME management team
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Choosing The Right Arrangement For A Reading Business

Secantor's Non-Executive Director suits a Reading business whose board needs independent challenge, governance or support through an ownership change. If the main need is financial leadership, a Part-Time Finance Director is the better start. If funding, strategy or a sale is the question, consider a Part-Time CFO. For a gap in leadership, an Interim Finance Director can start at short notice. Read Fractional vs Part-Time vs Interim CFO for the national picture.

Working With Your Existing Team

Secantor's Non-Executive Directors support the managing director and directors of a Reading business and do not replace them. They are independent of the day to day, which is what makes the challenge useful. They work alongside your existing accountants and advisors, and with a Finance Director if you have one.

A Non Executive Director reviewing financial information with an SME business owner

Starting With A Free Business Review

Secantor's Free Business Review is our no obligation starting point for Reading boards and owners. We begin with a chat, then come to you to hear the story of your business and how the board works. You leave with an independent view and our recommendation of the right support. See the Free Business Review.

Next Steps

Start with a conversation. Our Free Business Review begins with a chat about the business and the board and ends with an independent view and no obligation. Prefer to talk first? Book a discovery call with a Secantor Director.

What Do Reading Business Owners Ask About A Non-Executive Director?

Is a Non-Executive Director a consultant?

No. A Non-Executive Director is a member of your board team who shares responsibility for the quality of its decisions. They sit inside the way the business is run rather than reviewing it from the outside.

How is a Non-Executive Director different from a Finance Director?

A NED brings independent challenge to the board and the decisions it makes, while a Finance Director runs reporting, forecasting and control day to day. Some businesses use both.

How many days a month does a Non-Executive Director work?

It depends on your board cycle and the support you want between meetings. We agree the level with you at the first meeting, and you can increase or decrease the time to suit the board.

Do we need a Non-Executive Director if we are a family or founder owned business?

Often more so. Without independent challenge, decisions can run through one person, and succession or exit is harder to plan. A NED provides the structure to prepare for both.

Can a Non-Executive Director help with a sale or succession?

Yes. An independent director can support a change of ownership, mentor the next generation of directors and help prepare the business for a sale. See our Exit Planning service.

Do you cover businesses beyond Reading itself?

Yes. We support businesses in Caversham, Tilehurst and along the M4 corridor, and across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Surrey.

Not quite found the answer you need? Contact our team and we will get back to you personally.

Interested in how senior support could help in other areas too? Learn more about our Part-Time Finance Directors and Outsourced Operations Directors.

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Paul Gibbins

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On the call, you’ll:

  • Identify what’s holding back your profit and growth
  • Gain clearer direction on your business priorities
  • Understand how to improve cashflow and performance
  • Explore practical steps to move your business forward

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