Even for seasoned, accomplished professionals, it can be daunting to become a non-executive director (NED) for the first time.
New NEDs have to get used to the unique dynamics of the boardroom, or — if they're coming from an executive director role — learn how to add value without stepping on management's toes.
Ahead of the 2026 NED Awards, we asked three past winners of the Dame Helen Alexander NED to Watch award, sponsored by Board Intelligence, to share their advice.
1. Hover, but don’t land
"I was very 'hands on' when I first joined a board as a NED. If someone needed help with something, I'd help them or show them the way I would do it. Now, I've learned the best way is to let people arrive at solutions their own way, with appropriate advice. Hover, but don't land."
~ Dianne Walker, 2019 Dame Helen Alexander NED to Watch
NED at Inspired plc, Development Bank of Wales & Victorian Plumbing
2. Be humble
"If you don't begin every day as if you're on a beginner's journey, then you'll never learn anything new. I'm an expert in public policy and legislation, but every day I meet people who give me a new perspective. If you stop trying to think about things freshly, then you calcify. And if you approach board work like you've seen it all before, then you will miss new trends, and lose your relevance. This can't just be a retirement job."
~ Salma Shah, 2024 Dame Helen Alexander NED to Watch
NED at Mitie Group & helyo
3. Pick your battles
"Being an effective NED is important to me. I can have board meetings where I don't say much, because what I want is to add value where it's critical — not for the sake of it. There are people who want to master all the details and ask all kinds of questions every time, but that's not my approach.
It's a bit Pareto — 80% of the results are driven by 20% of your interventions. So, it's important to pick your battles. Otherwise, you might be super busy but not that effective."
~ Hounaïda Lasry, 2025 Dame Helen Alexander NED to Watch
NED at B&M Retail
The winners of the 2026 NED Awards will be announced in March.
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