The effectiveness of a board depends on strong foundations; exhibiting the right culture and behaviours; high-quality information and sound processes with skilled governance professionals; and a deep understanding of stakeholders.
How executives and non-executives can contribute to the Board
David Langley and Mark Adderley
In this video, Advance HE associates David Langley and Mark Adderley discuss how executives and non-executives can contribute to the Board – and their ideas on what makes an effective Board.
Framework for Supporting Governing Body Effectiveness Reviews
The framework recognises that every provider’s governing body effectiveness review will be different to that of their peers, and may also vary from their own past reviews. Moreover, individual governing bodies have to consider and decide what type of governing body they aspire to be and will judge their own effectiveness through reviews in this light. The 2020 framework sets out the key factors for consideration of higher education governing body effectiveness, and offers tools (such as an e survey) to support providers when they are conducting their effectiveness reviews.
The Governor Dialogues Project
In 2015 Mary Joyce undertook a governor dialogues project, discussing particular aspects of governance with eight different Governors. In 2018 we created three films which built on these dialogues.
Supporting good governance
Find out more about the ways in which we can support good governance through a range of consultancy services.
What is Good Governance reports, publications and resources
Advance HE has curated a number of resources to better understand what good governance means for a higher education provider. These cover guides on codes of governance, governing body effectiveness and research resources and are available to download below.
Codes of Governance
There are two specific codes of governance applying to the UK higher education sector, the Higher Education Code of Governance (the ‘CUC Code’) and the UK Corporate Code of Governance. This guide outlines what these codes are and their practical application.
A guide to governor responsibilities
The responsibilities of a governor of a higher education provider can be broad and often dynamic. This handy guide covers academic governance, compliance and regulation, commercial operations, students including international students, risk management, the strategic plan and monitoring performance.
