ForUS Board Cohort 1 Reflections & advice

21 March 2022

Our inaugural FORUS board cohort share what they’ve learnt throughout their year-long involvement and offer up some helpful advice for our incoming 2nd cohort…

ALFIE BURTON

What have I learnt from my time on the board? 

I’ve learnt to slow down and listen to others before making important decisions. It’s important to trust your gut but in the majority of situations, a different point of view is extremely valuable.

What advice would I give to the new board?

Don’t hold back. 12 months is a very short space of time, so use it wisely.

LOUISE MCGOWAN

What have I learnt from my time on the board?

How much work and thought goes on behind the scenes in running the business and how it’s impossible to please everyone all the time, so you just have to do what you can with the very best of intentions.

What advice would I give to the new board?

This is a unique opportunity for full exposure to all parts and people of the business – be brave, grasp the opportunity with both hands and soak it all in!

BRUCE KEIR

What have I learnt from my time on the board? 

During my time on the FORUS board, I’ve learnt the value of having different opinions within the team and how sharing these can create a good debate which allows us to see each side of the argument.

What advice would I give to the new board?

My advice to the next cohort would be to embrace these discussions and go in with an open mind to the opinion of others.

HAYLEY TAIT

What have I learnt from my time on the board? 

Pushing myself outside of my comfort zone has been liberating and not as scary as I once thought – especially with the support of everyone in cohort #1! The exposure to the wider business is also something I value highly, I haven’t stopped learning!

What advice would I give to the new board?

Trust your gut and be bold! And definitely set your intentions from the start, follow up with yourself and those goals regularly. The year flies by, so grab the opportunity with both hands and run with it!

LAURA O’REGAN

What have I learnt from my time on the board?

The biggest takeaway for me has been the invaluable exposure to the wider business, the senior leadership team and the raw work that happens aside of the day job to move Fortus forward, stronger and better positioned. Adding more fine-tuned commerciality, leadership skills and the importance of other opinions to my own toolbox throughout the journey.

What advice would I give to the new board?

Embarking on such a unique and instrumental journey, my advice to the next cohort would be to write down your purpose, what you set out to achieve both personally and for your wider team, and revisit that regularly. Time commitments can be difficult so be accountable from the outset, set goals, assign delivery dates and make it happen!

RIZWAN ASHRAF

What have I learnt from my time on the board?

Being part of the FORUS board has been pivotal in realising my own strengths and weaknesses, understanding the wider business and the interaction between various stakeholders.

What advice would I give to the new board?

My advice to new board members is to embrace this opportunity, understand the responsibility and act in the best interest of all stakeholders.

VICKY BARNES

What have I learnt from my time on the board?

There are so many things I’ve learnt from being part of the board that it’s hard to narrow it down to just a few. In particular, I’ve learnt about working as a group and supporting one another; I’ve gained experience of presenting; I’ve improved my time management through organising my time to juggle my day job and board work; and I’ve learnt that it can be difficult to please everyone, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying!

What advice would I give to the new board?

My advice would be not to take on too much.  It’s so easy to get carried away at first and want to do everything, but to give any project the time and focus that it needs, I would recommend concentrating on one or two specific things initially and then building from there.

PATRICK FAUGHNAN

What have I learnt from my time on the board?

To listen, respect and consider the opinions of others. And, to be brave and not be afraid to challenge the status quo.

What advice would I give to the new board?

Ensure you set staged targets when working on projects with clear objectives and delivery timetables. You will be busy with the ‘day job’, therefore you need to make effective use of your time to achieve successful outcomes.

 

More