Building a successful NED portfolio: lessons from Martyn Davidson
Transitioning into a non-executive director (NED) career is more than just securing a seat at the table. Martyn Davidson, with a diverse background spanning the military, aerospace, public sector, and commercial operations, shares how he built his NED portfolio and the key lessons he learned along the way.
Martyn’s journey has been anything but conventional. He has been a commercial fisherman, a garage hand, a nurse, and served 28 years in the RAF! After holding senior roles in aerospace and the public sector, including executive and fiduciary directorships in the UK and South Africa, he decided it was time for a new challenge. Moving into NED roles allowed him to apply his experience strategically and flexibly.
His first NED role was with a mental health services provider in Scotland. Keen to continue contributing at board level, he has focused on governance as an enabler and has enjoyed supporting organisations navigate regulatory frameworks effectively.
Key steps to securing a portfolio
Martyn highlights three essential components for those aspiring to transition into NED roles:
âś… Networking: Engaging with professional bodies and attending events to build relationships and uncover opportunities.
✅ Professional development: Investing in structured learning, like the NED Accelerator® Programme, to understand what the NED role entails and the process to secure board positions with confidence.
âś… Leveraging experience: Transferring leadership experience into a board-relevant skills to ensure a smooth transition into board roles.
How NEDonBoard and the NED Accelerator Programme helped 🤝
Martyn first encountered NEDonBoard at an event eight years ago while serving as a director in both the UK and South Africa. When that role ended, joining NEDonBoard felt like a natural step to continue developing his portfolio. He found that the platform addressed three critical aspects of a NED’s journey: knowledge, networking, and lifelong education. Committing to the NED Accelerator Programme gave him structured insights, real-world experiences from newly appointed directors, and advice, such as starting with a pro-bono board role to build credibility.
Key outcomes and achievements
Martyn’s dedication to professional development has delivered tangible results:
🔸 Enhanced digital presence as a well-developed online profile improves visibility and credibility.
🔸 A modular NED CV. Having a tailored, adaptable CV allows him to align applications with board requirements.
🔸 Board appointments. Martyn Davidson now serves as a trustee for a charity delivering statutory services on behalf of a local authority and as an Independent Advisor to a police force’s Independent Advisory Group (IAG).
Recommendations for those new to the NED role đź“ť
Martyn offers valuable advice to those seeking their first board position:
- Build your director knowledge base. Ensure you understand fiduciary duties, governance principles, and director responsibilities.
- Research the organisations you want to apply for i.e., study the company’s financials, check the governance structures, and identify their strategic priorities.
- Tailor every application to highlight relevant skills and past impact.
- Create a comprehensive CV from which you can extract key sections for bespoke applications.
- Maintain a strong online presence that reflects your board aspirations.
- Use recruitment databases wisely.
- Enhance your professional visibility by attending events, contributing to discussions, and engaging with board communities.
Final thoughts
Securing a NED role is not just about leveraging past experience and writing a NED CV. It is about continuous learning, strategic networking, and a structured approach to applications. Martyn’s journey proves that with the right mindset and preparation, building a rewarding NED portfolio is within reach.
If you are new to the non-executive role, we encourage you to visit our dedicated page, featuring a wealth of resources to start your journey on strong foundations:
