About the Conversation
How should boards make good decisions when the world around them refuses to stand still?
In this conversation, Patrick Dunne OBE, author of the newly updated third edition of Boards, joins the Good Governance Academy to explore how boardroom leadership and decision-making are changing in response to geopolitical uncertainty, technological disruption, AI, shifting stakeholder expectations and growing organisational complexity. Patrick argues that while the fundamental purpose of a board remains remarkably consistent, the way boards work and the pressure under which they operate has changed considerably.
The discussion moves quickly from theory into practice. Patrick explores the difference between reacting and responding, why more information does not necessarily mean a better-informed board, and how directors can distinguish useful insight from an overwhelming “fact dump.” He discusses dynamic budgeting and his shift from a “maps to sat-nav” approach to strategy, changing board agendas, constructive challenge, board overreach, and a practical approach to making major decisions in stages rather than trying to resolve them in a single meeting.
The conversation also considers how uncertainty and anxiety affect board behaviour, why boards need to think more carefully about the consequences of their decisions, how the nature of risk is expanding beyond the financial, and why boards should create more opportunities to practise difficult decisions before they have to make them for real. Along the way, Patrick draws on the real-world dilemmas featured in Boards to illustrate the human dynamics, trade-offs and difficult judgement calls that sit at the heart of effective governance.
About Boards – 3rd Edition
Boards is a practical and thought-provoking guide to life as a board member, built around Patrick Dunne’s Purpose, People, Process model for board effectiveness.
Combining practical frameworks, advice and real-world boardroom dilemmas, the third edition has been substantially updated to reflect the changing environment in which boards now operate — while looking ahead to the challenges directors may face next.
We’re pleased to offer a discount of £5.00 off the purchase price of £29.95 by using the code “GOODGOV5” at checkout. Both the hard copy of the book and the ebook are priced the same and the discount can be used against either version
Who Is This Conversation For?
This session will be particularly relevant to board members, chairs, governance professionals, aspiring directors and anyone interested in how boards are adapting to a rapidly changing environment.
Meet Patrick Dunne OBE
Patrick Dunne OBE has extensive experience working with boards across the business, public, education and social sectors around the world.
He chairs board consultancy Boardelta, as well as the charities Royal Voluntary Service and ESSA – Education Sub Saharan Africa. He is a Visiting Professor at Cranfield University and a Visiting Fellow at Warwick Business School, and has contributed to board development programmes including the Financial Times Board Director Programme.
Patrick has written extensively on boards and leadership and was awarded an OBE in the King’s 2023 Birthday Honours for services to charity and philanthropy in Africa and the UK.
Join The Conversation
Join the Good Governance Academy and Patrick Dunne OBE on Tuesday, 8 September at 12:00 SAST for a conversation about the changing realities of board life — and the ideas behind the newly updated third edition of Boards.