Governance
Running an organisation well involves balancing a range of demands - financial, legal, regulatory, staffing... Putting structures in place to make it all work together harmoniously is difficult. That is the essence of good governance - not making conflicts disappear, but having structures which allow them to be resolved.
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And things shouldn’t work too harmoniously. Balancing different perspectives means hearing them all and finding a way forward when they conflict. If people agree all the time, something is missing. Conflict should be resolved rather than ignored.
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Good governance is shown by good decision making. That means taking account of the things that should be taken account of, and not giving weight to the things that shouldn’t. Clear agreed criteria should be considered. Personal conflicts and biases shouldn’t.
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Good governance can be hard to define - but it is certainly easy to see when it is missing.
Governance in practice
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As a governance advisor working across the public and private sectors, I have seen many organisations that get that right - and many that get it wrong. My breadth of experience - public sector, private sector, local government and charities, gives me a good perspective on how different organisations are run, their strengths and weaknesses.
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I spent five years in the NHS creating effective governance arrangements. I oversaw the transition to new commissioning structures in the complex environment following the Health & Social Care Act 2012. I developed and communicated policies and managed the relationships between GPs, Board members and staff. I have been a company secretary in a number of private companies, including one in employee ownership. As a company secretary I have been responsible for ensuring that business needs were reconciled with those of shareholders and staff.
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I have carried out governance reviews in the private and charity sectors - looking at overall structures, or considering a particular aspect in detail. I always provide clear and concise analysis as a basis for decision making and action to make things work in the short, medium and long term.
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