From attending his first NEDonBoard networking event in 2019 to becoming Chair of the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI), Rashad Issa’s journey illustrates the importance of confidence, professional networks and continuous development in building a successful non-executive career.
In this personal account, Rashad reflects on the achievements and challenges of board leadership, the importance of board culture and effective governance, and how NEDonBoard membership has supported his development as a board member and chair.
Key takeaways
- From aspiring NED to board chair: Rashad Issa’s journey from his first NEDonBoard networking event in 2019 to chairing the Chartered Quality Institute demonstrates how professional networking, peer learning and continuous development can support progression in a non-executive career.
- Professional membership supports long-term development. NEDonBoard membership helped Rashad Issa build confidence, understand board expectations and strengthen his contribution through events, roundtables and engagement with experienced directors.
- Board culture is fundamental to effectiveness. Trust, psychological safety and constructive challenge enable directors to contribute fully, encourage diversity of thought and improve collective decision-making.
- Effective governance enables better decisions. Strong governance frameworks should support strategic discussions, accountability and organisational agility, rather than become purely procedural exercises.
- Board evaluations should lead to measurable improvements. Independent board performance reviews provide valuable insights. Their real impact comes from implementing development actions and monitoring progress.
From feeling out of my depth to chairing a highly mature board
I still remember my first NEDonBoard networking event in 2019. I walked into a room full of experienced directors and felt completely out of my depth. What I didn’t expect was how quickly that feeling eased. People were there to connect, not to compete, and that encouragement has stayed with me ever since.
Seven years on, I’m writing this as Chair of the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI), at the end of a year I am both humbled by and very proud of.
Three moments that defined the year
First, our Chief Executive, Vince Desmond, was named CEO of the Year at the Memcom Awards, with the CQI also shortlisted for Professional Body of the Year.
I nominated Vince with the full support of the Board, because his leadership deserved to be recognised beyond our boardroom. Recognition like these are never one person’s work, and never one year’s work.
We also invited The LSL Group to carry out an independent Board Performance Review across ten governance domains. It concluded that the CQI operates at a Mature level of governance. It pointed to a board culture of trust, openness and constructive challenge, and recognised the Chair’s role in creating a safe, inclusive space where quieter voices are heard alongside more confident ones.
What I’ve learned
Culture does the heavy lifting. Strategic discussion is only as good as the room it happens in. Diversity of thought means little if people don’t feel safe to use it.
Board–Executive trust makes agility possible. Clear roles, mutual confidence and a healthy balance of support and challenge let an organisation move rather than hesitate.
Governance should enable, not constrain. I now ask of every process: does this help us make better decisions, or just help us prove we followed one?
A review is only as good as what you do with it. We turned the findings into fifteen development actions, owned jointly by the Board and Executive, with a three-year plan to solidify a ‘Leading Practice’. Like the profession we serve, we don’t stand still.
Where NEDonBoard fits in
NEDonBoard has been instrumental in my journey. Membership gave me the confidence to step into board roles and helped me align my experience with what boards genuinely require of their directors. The events and round tables have always been insightful, and they bring an edge to the practices I put in place at the boards I support.
Above all, the community taught me that good board members are made, not born. They grow by listening, asking, and being willing to be challenged.
So to anyone at their first event, feeling out of their depth: stay. Ask the question. Connect with the person next to you. For me, that room was where it all began.
Rashad Issa FCQI FCXA FRSA
Chair, The Chartered Quality Institute
Frequently asked questions
1️⃣ How can aspiring non-executive directors build confidence before securing their first board role?
Confidence develops through preparation, professional development, networking and exposure to boardroom discussions. Aspiring NEDs should understand directors’ responsibilities, articulate the value they bring to a board and engage with experienced directors.
Professional membership organisations such as NEDonBoard provide opportunities to learn from peers, develop governance knowledge and build relationships with the wider board community.
2️⃣ How can professional membership support a non-executive director’s career progression?
Professional membership can support directors throughout their board careers, from preparing for their first appointment to developing their effectiveness as experienced NEDs and board chairs.
Through its events, roundtables, professional development programmes and peer network, NEDonBoard helps members stay informed about evolving governance expectations, exchange practical insights and strengthen their boardroom contribution.
As Rashad’s experience illustrates, the value of membership extends beyond securing an appointment. It supports continuous learning and the development of effective board practices.
3️⃣ What makes an effective board chair?
An effective board chair creates the conditions for directors to contribute meaningfully, encourages constructive challenge and maintains a productive relationship between the board and executive leadership.
This includes fostering an inclusive board culture, ensuring different perspectives are heard, managing board dynamics and maintaining a clear focus on strategic priorities and organisational performance.
4️⃣ Why are independent board performance reviews important?
Independent board performance reviews provide an external perspective on the effectiveness of governance arrangements, board composition, decision-making, culture and relationships.
They can identify strengths, highlight opportunities for improvement and support ongoing board development.
However, the value of an evaluation depends on the actions taken afterwards. In Rashad’s account, the CQI translated its review findings into fifteen development actions and a three-year improvement plan.
5️⃣ Why is continuous professional development important for experienced NEDs and board chairs?
Board responsibilities and governance expectations continue to evolve, particularly in areas such as risk oversight, technology, artificial intelligence, stakeholder engagement and organisational resilience.
Even experienced directors benefit from keeping their knowledge current, challenging established practices and learning from other boards.
Continuous professional development helps NEDs and chairs remain effective, exercise informed judgement and contribute to long-term organisational success.
6️⃣ Continue developing your effectiveness as a board member
Rashad’s journey illustrates how professional networks, peer learning and continuous development can support directors at every stage of their non-executive careers.
As the Institute of Board Members, NEDonBoard supports aspiring and experienced non-executive directors, board members and chairs through professional membership, qualifications, expert-led events and a community of board professionals.
