A large proportion of organisations in the cultural sectors are governed by charitable boards and trusts with non-executive directors. Notwithstanding many examples of excellent governance practice, there are widespread concerns about the effectiveness and fitness for purpose of many governing bodies and their relationship with their Executive.
CLP has undertaken a suite of projects exploring the leadership aspects of governance and ways of addressing its development. This has focused on: developing good signposting; strengthening organisations’ understanding and knowledge of legal frameworks; the development of ‘business’ and risk assessment skills; creating a ‘cultural annexe’ to the Governance Hub Code of Good Governance; and offering customised opportunities for the boards and senior executives of individual organisations to review the effectiveness of their governance.
CLP maintained its priority investment in this key area of sector leadership through:
- Information Advice & Guidance – CLP commissioned a range of papers to strengthen the awareness and knowledge base for governance practice
- Clore Governance Programme - The Clore Leadership Programme in partnership with CLP delivered a suite of opportunities for Boards and Chairs. The programme offered an organisation the opportunity for the whole Board, together with the senior executive team, to spend a day discussing and considering how they were operating as a Board, how their relationship with the Executive had developed, how they were tackling issues such as artistic risk, strategic planning, diversity, financial information and analysis, legal responsibilities, recruitment, and succession planning.
- Governance Conference, March 2009 – A conference highlighting key issues and themes for Governance, bringing together theory and practice through the launch of the Governance Publication and skills development/knowledge sharing workshops covering varied aspects of the governance agenda.
For more information on CLP's Governance work please visit our online evaluation hub, Leadership Works
