Corporate boards are a layer of oversight between the managers of an organization and the shareholders. They are responsible for establishing policies, supervising the officers who run the day-today business and ensuring that the business is operating legally and that its financial stability has been protected. They act as a link between the business and all of its stakeholders, including clients, employees, and vendors.

To carry out these duties the board must possess a wide range of capabilities and expertise. As such, most boards are looking to hire members from a variety of backgrounds that can provide advice and assistance in areas of concern. A board may require someone who has expertise in international finance, or someone who is familiar with a particular regulatory body.

As a rule the majority of boards are legally required to have at least one member who is an officer of the company. This is to ensure that a member of the board is aware of and can respond to any issues that may be confronted by the management team.

As the public grows more interested in operation of your corporate boards their business the perception of being an “old-boy” network is changing. In turn, more seats are being made available for investors of all ages to apply for. However, it is essential to consider the potential benefits and risks of a particular job before applying.