“Securing your first NED opportunity is quite tricky and takes patience.”
After 20 years in technical engineering science and IT leadership roles at GSK, Mark Buswell was looking for more flexible career options.
“I was transitioning from a senior corporate career to a portfolio career, and looking for ways to balance independent consulting, NED opportunities and my own business ideas in the pharma sector. My mentor suggested that as an aspiring NED, taking a short course to help me better understand the opportunities and responsibilities would be valuable, and as a Cranfield MBA alumnus it was the natural choice.
“I didn’t join the Non-Executive Director Programme with any specific challenges or expectations. After an executive corporate career, I was familiar with boards and business. But what I really wanted was to better understand the line between exec and non-exec in terms of responsibilities and how the business operates.
“One of the surprises about the NED programme was the varied backgrounds and levels of experience of my peers, which helped create a diverse learning environment. The programme leaders were very good and delivered stimulating and thought-provoking sessions, and of course Cranfield is a wonderful place to return to for business-related education.
“Since attending the programme in 2024 as an aspiring NED, I now run my own consultancy business, I’m a Founding Director and CTO with a start-up, and a NED with the UK Health Research Authority (HRA). It didn’t occur to me at the time, but some of the most useful learning, which I am now applying in my HRA non-executive role, is the point that NEDs are not there to give professional advice. I have caught myself occasionally starting to cross over into business operational territory, and that key insight from the programme helped me step back into my NED place.
“Another impactful session was on board dynamics. Whilst it felt a little overwhelming at times with tales of “boards gone wrong”, it did emphasise the importance of making sure there is a good fit between yourself and the organisation you join. Whilst in my first year as a NED I’ve thankfully not experienced any challenging board dynamics (yet!), the cautionary tales have helped raise my awareness of the potential pitfalls.
“Securing your first NED opportunity is quite tricky and takes patience. In my experience recruiters were not very helpful, and I was almost ready to throw in the towel until I reached out to an old mentor who gave me some fresh energy and advice. Attending the Cranfield Non-Executive Director Programme helped me feel more assured as I entered the NED world. I am about to step up to chair the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) for HRA, and I would like to take an additional NED position in the new year.
“The Cranfield NED programme allows you to hit pause; to go away and really focus on your NED ambitions and how to make them a reality. It also signals intent both internally to yourself, but also to friends, family and colleagues. For anyone considering a NED career, the Cranfield programme is a great place to start.”
Non-Executive Director Programme
If you want a greater appreciation of what the role entails, the Cranfield Non-Executive Director Programme offers current and aspiring NEDs the opportunity to learn what’s involved and build their NED network.
To find out more download the brochure here:
