Hardly a month goes by without news of a high-profile corporate failure that raises the question of the role of the Board. Why do boards of directors find it so difficult to steer the company and its management team? Illustrated with real-life examples from interviews with board chairs, board members, CEOs, and investors, The Next Board explains how boards can master the dual challenge of implementing the best practices of today and also futureproofing an organization for the emerging challenges of tomorrow.

Through the lens of the ‘board diamond’ – purpose, people, structures and processes, performance evaluation, and leadership – the book introduces the building blocks that are central to implementing best practice, and shows how these need to be configured differently depending on the position of the company. These practices are brought to life with case studies and interviews with some of the most highly regarded firms from across the globe, including ABB, ASML, Avnet, Bertelsmann, BNP Paribas, Engie, Ericsson, HSBC, HP, IBM, Inditex, Infineon, Kellogg, Macy’s, McKesson, Merck, Nestlé, Nokia, Novartis, Paypal, Santander, Target, Tesco, and UPS. In addressing current concerns around issues such as crisis resilience, sustainability, AI and other rapidly changing technologies, and their impact on corporate strategy and governance, the book also identifies the emergent challenges facing boards and board directors and anticipates future best practice.

The book provides CEOs, senior executives, and aspiring C-suite managers, who are preparing for future board assignments and independent director roles with tangible advice on how to succeed as an effective member and to avoid major blunders. It is also of interest to Associations involved in setting governance standards and educating future board members.

Forthcoming with Routledge in Fall 2025.