News Articles

Age and the non-executive director, www.non-execs.com , January, 2012
Since the UK government launched its review of corporate boardrooms in February 2011, much has been written about the need for diversity – not just of gender, but of background and thinking, to avoid ‘groupthink’ among non-executive directors. But in order to widen the …read more

Is there an advantage being interviewed early?-FT, January 2012
I'm going for a series of interviews at the moment and want to maximise my chance of getting the job. Is there any evidence as to whether I am best to ask for the first or last interview, or the one in between? Is it better to ask for an interview in the morning or the …read more

HR Network (SCOTLAND) National Awards - 18th November, 2011
Glasgow-Award presented by Helen Pitcher, Chairman for IDDAS…read more

Board Effectiveness, 2011, Governance Magazine
‘What is clear to me, both from the report and working with boards, is that the framework for how a board challenges and makes their decisions is rarely agreed and designed; it is often left to chance, individual preferences and quirks, which has the potential for a dysfunctional chaotic approach.’ Helen Pitcher, Chairman, IDDAS…read more

'Being moved to where the action is-or sidelined?' FT, 15th September, 2011
My company wants to send me to Malaysia. But I'm not sure I want to go as I fear I am being put out to pasture. The most important thing - if I am forced to accept - is to negotiate an improvement in pay and conditions, or at least to ensure they are comparable…read more

NED'S - just got interesting? Women in Banking and Finance Magazine, September 2011
The world of the NED has been moving at a pace, the traditional view of a NED; ex-top executive, one or two board positions after retiring and aged in ‘his’ 60s, is still with us, but there is a marked trend towards, younger professionals…read more

'Make way for young ones' The Sunday Times, 26th June 2011
Expect to see less grey hair round the boardroom table in future; non-executive directors seem to be getting younger. It is still unusual to see a thirty-something on a FTSE 100 board-Martha Lane Fox at Marks & Spencer is one of fewer than 10…read more

IDDAS explores the role of today's non-executive director in new report, 8th June, 2011
A new report examining the role of the non-executive director on British boards is being launched today by boardroom consultancy IDDAS. 'Board Dynamics - The Non-Executive's Perspective', provides an insight into the attitudes and behaviours of today's NEDs, collecting their thoughts on issues including challenge, team work, quotas and remuneration…read more

Turning words into action to get women on boards, FT, April 2011
So we’ve just had the Davies Report into how we can get more women into the boardroom. There was a huge amount of publicity when it came out - but what is our organisation actually supposed to DO now?…read more

Build a better board-together, CEO Magazine, April 2011
Change has to come from the top and, in uncertain times, consulting for effective leadership becomes vital. Sue O’Brien, CEO of Norman Broadbent, one of the market leaders in global executive search, and Helen Pitcher, chairman of IDDAS, the well-respected board-level coaching…read more

I think we covered everything?, Financial Times, April 2011
Sometimes an interview goes realy well and there's genuine to and fro with the questions, so when we get to the end and the interviewer asks me if I have any questions, I can't think of any. Is it OK just to say "No - I think we've covered everything." Or does that look bad? …read more

Non-executive directors: Under increased scrutiny, Business Insider, March 2011
The role of the non-executive director has come in for some tough criticism as shareholders have been increasingly vocal in their outrage at perceived boardroom failures. As a result regulators and politicians are still picking their way through the fall out from the financial collapse and working out how effective executive board members were in curbing wanton excess…read more

CIO Magazine-How to ace the CEO selection, Interviewing for the top role? February,2011
The work of a CIO can be a good grounding for the skills needed to become a chief executive officer (CEO). After all, their work can touch and re-juvenate all areas of the organisation and keep the business ahead of the competition, says Helen Pitcher, chairman at leadership consultancy IDDAS…read more

HRMagazine.co.uk - More women are being recommended as non-execs, February 2011
More women are being recommended for non-executive director (NED) roles, according to the latest Life in the Boardroom report by boardroom remuneration consultancy MM&K…read more

The Edge - The Boardroom debate, January 2011
Only 13% of board members in the UK are women. Should the government introduce quotas to increase the proportion of women in our boardrooms?…read more

IDDAS Enhances Coaching and Mentoring Team - December 2010
Helen Pitcher, Chairman of IDDAS, is pleased to announce that Colin Peters, Andrew Garner, Neela Bettridge and Steve Melcher have recently joined the IDDAS team on the Mentoring…read more

Boardroom Magazine, Boardroom Behaviour : compliance or evolution? - November, 2010
Board evaluation is entering a new reality, with a developmental approach to delivery at the forefront of such thinking…read more

Leaders are influencers and persuaders - Financial Times, 15th November, 2010
A mistake executives often make is thinking that being a leader and being a manager are the same thing. But while there are similarities, they are quite distinct…read more

When Neds become bosses - The Sunday Times, 31st October 2010
Non-executive directors rarely step into the chief executive's shoes, but John Rishton is doing just that at Rolls-Royce…read more

Corporate Research Forum International Conference - Budapest 2010
Helen Pitcher, Chairman of IDDAS, was invited as a speaker at this year’s Corporate Research Forum International Conference in Budapest…read more

International Board Impact Conference - Oslo 12th, 13th October 2010
Helen Pitcher, IDDAS Chairman, was one of the speakers at this year’s International Board Impact Conference in Oslo…read more

You don’t have to be grey - The Sunday Times, October 2010
A new generation is now moving into Britain’s business boardrooms, where a fresh perspective can often balance a lack of experience…read more

A case for coaching? - Barclays Wealth Insights, September 2010
Not all preparations for the later stages of life –however defined – are financial. The wealthy need to think through what they want to do, and to prepare themselves mentally as well…read more

Vote for me - The BoardRoom Magazine, September 2010
With the furore around annual re-election unlikely to subside, Chairman of IDDAS, Helen Pitcher, says it is now time for Chairmen to lead the board into a brave new world…read more

When you're in a pickle... Sunday Times, 12th September 2010
"One of the big issues with coaching is that the point of entry is so low", said Helen Pitcher, who chairs IDDAS, an executive consultancy…read more

HR Magazine, Chairman and CEO: jointly responsible when things go wrong? August, 2010
With the resignation of Tony Hayward as CEO of BP, many have questioned whether the chairman, Carl-Henric Svanberg, should have gone instead or at least as well as his beleaguered colleague…read more

Boardroom Magazine, Women Improve Boardroom Effectiveness, July 2010
The report, entitled 'Board Dynamics - a female perspective', has been published by boardroom consultancy firm IDDAS, providing an insight into the views of female board directors of FTSE 100 companies and exploring their role and effectiveness on boards…read more

Boardroom Magazine, Behaviour is at the heart of it, July 2010
With the FRC having published a new UK Corporate Governance Code, IDDAS’ Sheelagh Duffield argues that it is now behaviour, not process, which must guide the non-executive…read more

The GlassHammer.com, Getting the right people around the table, July 2010
Last year, The Glass Hammer covered IDDAS’s report on the female perspective on board effectiveness, in which the London based provider of board level coaching and leadership development services interviewed some of the most senior women in British business…read more

The Sunday Times, The uncomfortable chairs, 4th July, 2010
Running a board is not enough. Those at the top have to support their chief executives and help with strategy…read more

Helen Pitcher interviewed on BBC Radio 4 Today Show, 29th June, 2010
Presenter Adam Shaw speaks to Helen Pitcher of IDDAS about how the reaction of chairman to new boardroom rules…listen here

Financial Times, Chairmen slate parts of governance code as 'crazy', 27th June 2010
Annual re-election of board directors, as required by the revamped UK corporate governance code, is "crazy" and represents "political correctness gone mad", according to FTSE chairmen interviewed for a report to be published on Tuesday. Their objections reinforce criticism from the Institute of Directors and Confederation of British Industry of the Financial Reporting Council's decision to insist on annual re-election of directors of the 350 largest companies…read more

Helen Pitcher, Chairman of IDDAS leads the effort to raise over 130k for charity Kids Out
Helen Pitcher, Chairman of IDDAS and Chairman of Kids Out, the only UK charity dedicated to bringing fun and happiness into the lives of disadvantaged kids, has led the effort of raising over 130k at their Summer Ball on 26th May. Helen has been involved with this charity for over a decade, she became Chairman in 2009. If you are interested in learning more about this special charity please go to www.kidsout.org.uk.

Helen Pitcher speaking at the Corporate Research Forum's International Conference
A conference that blends thought leadership, practical experience and challenging research, in a style and to a standard that is very different from conventional commercial conferences. Built on the experiences gained at the 2009 conference in Barcelona to create one of the most important HR learning and networking events of the year…read more

Helen Pitcher speaking at The International Board Impact Conference in Oslo
The International Board Impact Conference will bring together chairmen, board members, executives, investors, CEOs, and researchers to discuss and learn from the experiences of Norwegian corporate boards. Following unprecedented legislation, the boards of Norwegian listed companies now have more than 40% representation of female board members…read more

Savile Group in the Sunday Times’ top 20 ‘Best Small Companies to Work For’ in their first year
AIM-listed HR consultancy Savile Group has been ranked 16th in the Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies to Work For 2010, which this year had 571 SMEs vying for a place…read more

Savile Group Plc achieves Three Star status in 2010 Best Companies Accreditation
Savile Group Plc, the AIM listed human resources consultancy, has been awarded 3 star status in the 2010 Best Companies to Work For accreditation. Only 50 companies in the UK achieved 3 star…read more

People Management, In Whom We Trust, 28 January 2010
If your employees don't have faith in your organisation, then why should your customers? Hashi Syedain investigates how companies can begin to restore the trust that's been so heavily battered…read more

CITY A.M. How to get yourself headhunted, 12 November, 2009
People in the City are beginning to shift their feet. After sitting tight in their jobs throughout the downturn, workers are sniffing out new roles in increasing numbers, according to figures from…read more

HR Magazine, Women Raise the Bar, November 2009
There are still very few women in leadership positions despite persuasive evidence of their positive effect on profitability. Sian Harrington looks at the gender imbalance in Britain's boardrooms… read more

TheGlassHammer.com - 6 Perspectives on Women in the Boardroom, 06 October 2009
Company boards of directors are under intense scrutiny. Non-executive as well as executive directors hold the weight of company performance on their shoulders. Might more… read more

Personnel Today - Women on boards: what works, and why, 01 October 2009
Boardroom consultancy IDDAS launched a report today - "Women improve boardroom effectiveness" - offering an insight into the views of female directors of FTSE 100 companies… read more

Accountancy magazine - Boards ‘need a female touch’, 01 October 2009
Women improve boardroom effectiveness and are adept at promoting teamwork among boards, according to a new report entitled Board Dynamics – a female perspective…read more

HR Magazine - Successful female board directors are less egocentric, 30 September 2009
Women in board positions have to be extra careful and confident in the value they add, according to a study of FTSE 100 female board directors… read more

‘Women improve boardroom effectiveness’ - Press Release, September, 2009
‘Women improve boardroom effectiveness’ - according to IDDAS’ latest ‘Board Dynamics- a female perspective, Women on FTSE 100 boards’ report… read more

IDDAS strengthens Senior Mentoring Team, June, 2009
Helen Pitcher, Chief Executive and deputy Chairman of IDDAS is pleased to announce that Bernard Buckley will join the IDDAS team on July 1st… read more

IDDAS News - Appointment of Stephen Barden, May, 2009
When IDDAS joined the Savile Group in April 2008, we set ourselves the target of continuing to develop the quality of our services to the Board and Top Team Executive levels… read more

The IDDAS Lawyer Panel - Press Release
Senior Lawyers for IDDAS Mentor Panel Lord Freeman, Chairman of IDDAS, the business and career mentoring firm is delighted to announce that three senior figures from the world of law have… read more

IDDAS Autumn Newsletter 2006
Our experience based mentoring business and our team have continued to expand. In June we moved to larger premises at IDDAS House… read more

New Directors at IDDAS – Julian Badcock & Philip Beddows
Lord Freeman, Chairman of IDDAS, the business and career mentoring firm, today announces the appointment of two new executive directors: Julian Badcock and Philip Beddows… read more

Chris Leslie joins IDDAS
Lord Freeman, Chairman of IDDAS, the business and career mentoring firm, today announces the appointment of Chris Leslie as an advisor to the IDDAS Board. He joins Elizabeth… read more

IDDAS appoints Lord Freeman as Chairman
IDDAS, the business and career mentoring firm, today announces the appointment of Lord Freeman, former Cabinet Minister and Chairman of Thales Plc, as Non-Executive Chairman… read more

Financial Times - Advisory role for Sir Nicholas
Executives may be tempted to seek as much tax advice as career advice from Sir Nicholas Montagu, the former Inland Revenue boss who has become a mentor and specialist adviser at Iddas… read more

Financial Times - ENO's Smith makes IDDAS debut
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Financial Times - Lady Harding joins IDDAS
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