Getting the governance framework right

It’s still the exception, not the rule, but we’re increasingly asked to look at the wider governance framework in our board effectiveness reviews. Often, that makes a lot of sense: a board doesn’t operate in isolation. It’s part of, and dependent on, an effective governance structure. And it’s up to the board to ensure that governance overall is working well all the time. It shouldn’t be a question of waiting for a three-yearly review.

So what should a board be looking at? Here are some good practices and some unhelpful ones to avoid.