NED’s are only for larger companies. Think again.

NEDs forAll Sizes

Many people assume NEDs are only for large corporations or regulated entities, but that’s a misconception. In fact, micro and small firms can sometimes derive even greater value from the right NED.

In small businesses, an experienced NED can operate across domains: finance, operations, commercial and strategy offering holistic oversight and guidance.

Their external perspective is often more acutely felt when the business is fluid and growing; they can spot behaviours or assumptions that insiders can’t.  The commercial mindset a NED brings helps ensure that decisions are not just aspirational but grounded in return, risk, scalability, and margin.

You are paying for strategic time, not operational hours, so NEDs can deliver heavy leverage: high-level input, not day-to-day cost, with the commitment of a permanent hire.

We have first-hand experience of the positive impact of having the right NEDs on our Board has on our business.

How to Hire the Right NED/Critical Friend for Your Business

Bringing a NED into your business can be one of the most powerful decisions you make as a leader. The right NED strengthens governance, enhances credibility, and brings heavyweight experience, all without the full time cost of a permanent executive. But the key is hiring the right person.

The impact of a NED depends entirely on choosing someone with the right blend of skills, sector expertise, and cultural fit. It’s not just about who looks good on paper, it’s about who can truly add value to your board.

The most effective appointments come through a thorough executive search process:

• Defining your exact needs and expectations
• Mapping the market for individuals with proven track records
• Assessing cultural alignment alongside technical expertise
• Shortlisting leaders capable of making an immediate and lasting impact

At Corvus People, we specialise in guiding this process to ensure your NED hire isn’t just a name on the board but a catalyst for growth, governance, and credibility.

What a NED Brings to the Table

Unlike executive directors, NEDs are not involved in daily operations. Instead, they provide independence and objectivity, ensuring leadership is both supported and challenged in equal measure.

Key benefits include:

• Governance and Accountability: safeguarding compliance, ensuring ethical practices, and holding the executive team accountable for performance
• Industry Connections: offering access to valuable networks of investors, regulators, and sector peers
• External Perspective: bringing clarity, fresh thinking, and constructive challenge that cuts through internal bias or politics
• Strategic Insight: applying years of boardroom and sector experience to guide direction and spot risks before they become issues

The Positive Impact of a Strong NED

1. Heavyweight Impact at a Fraction of the Cost
   NEDs are typically senior leaders with board level experience. Hiring them on a non executive basis gives you access to that calibre of leadership at a fraction of the cost of a permanent C suite role.
2. Enhanced Credibility
   A respected NED strengthens your reputation with investors, partners, and regulators. Their presence signals that your business values good governance and long term sustainability.
3. Risk Management
   They shine a light on blind spots, ensuring risks are identified early and managed effectively, from financial governance to strategic decisions.
4. Creative and Independent Thinking
   Because NEDs are not tied to daily pressures, they can offer fresh solutions and challenge entrenched ways of working, sparking innovation at board level.
5. Strategic Connections
   The right NED brings a network that can open doors to funding, partnerships, or new markets.

The Bottom Line

A great NED doesn’t just sit on the board, they enhance governance, strengthen accountability, boost credibility, and unlock growth opportunities. They bring heavyweight expertise at a fraction of the cost of a full time hire.

At Corvus People, we connect ambitious businesses with outstanding NED talent who can transform your boardroom.

If you’re a business looking to strengthen your board with the right NED, let’s start the conversation today.

If you’re an experienced NED or fractional leader, we’d love to hear from you. We’re actively expanding our portfolio of exceptional talent, get in touch to join our network.