What are the key ingredients of high-performing boards? Now a trustee, fellow and board consultant - at the Royal Ballet School, Winchester College and British Museum amongst others - Clarissa shares her key characteristics of high-performing boards. Oliver Cummings: Clarissa, I want to dive straight into your time running St. You worked with a board of governors during a very successful period for the school.
And I'm really interested to understand the role the board played for you, the value that it [] added in particular. Clarissa Farr: Thank you. Yes, so I should probably clarify by saying I inherited a very successful school, so I can't take all the credit for the fact that it remained successful during my time, but I'm pleased to say that on the whole, it did. Well, first thing I think is to say that I enjoyed a very positive and energetic relationship with the board.
And that started when I attended my final interview for the job. And I think it was the chemistry between me and the board that decided it for them, and for me. So, I do think getting on well with your board and having a very energetic, positive and upbeat relationship is absolutely critical.
And it's not something you can take for granted, but I certainly had that , at the beginning, and that made a lot of difference. I think a good board - and the St. Paul's Board very much was a good board - offers support, but it also offers critical challenge, and it's the way in which that critical challenge is [] framed that really, really makes a difference.
I remember, for example, the wonderful Vice Chair of Governors, the late Jane Helen Alexander, who was a fabulous mentor to me in all kinds of ways.
