Finding the Right Leaders for Your Board
The right board can shape the future of your company. We support clients in appointing impactful board members—whether you’re seeking a board representative, chairperson, or strategic advisor. With deep expertise in board recruitment, our team helps you identify leaders who bring strategic insight, governance experience, and long-term value.
Board Representative
Appointed by a specific shareholder or group, board representatives advocate for their interests while upholding a fiduciary duty to the company. Their role brings important stakeholder perspectives to board discussions and decisions.
Regular Board Member
Elected to represent all shareholders, regular board members provide oversight, support strategic direction, and ensure management accountability. They are expected to act independently and in line with governance best practices.
Chairman / Chairwoman of the Board
The chairperson leads the board’s work, setting agendas and guiding discussions. They often play a key role in executive hiring, ensuring leadership aligns with the company’s long-term strategy.
Board leadership in times of crisis
Having a solid and experienced board that has not only seen fair weather and growth can be crucial especially during down turns and crisis management.
During a crisis, an experienced board member may realize that their CEO is unable to navigate through rough waters. While making C-level changes in the midst of a crisis can be risky, it may be necessary to reorganize management responsibilities to support the CEO and strengthen the C-level team. However, if the Board determines that a CEO change is necessary, engaging in a CEO succession process soon is advisable, particularly if the crisis is expected to last for 2-3 years. A short-term bridging arrangement may be suitable for 3-4 months, but a long-term solution is required to address the situation. If hiring an external CEO during a crisis is too risky, the Board should consider an internal candidate who has demonstrated exceptional performance under pressure and earned the trust and support of their followers.
Scenario Planning
In unpredictable and fast-changing markets—particularly for innovative or early-stage companies—relying on a single financial forecast is no longer enough. Developing multiple scenarios allows boards and leadership teams to anticipate risks, stay agile, and make informed decisions even in times of crisis. Key considerations for effective scenario planning:
Request the management team to prepare a range of financial scenarios to guide decision-making.
Use scenarios as benchmarks for daily operational and strategic choices.
In times of crisis, expect significant performance fluctuations—scenarios help maintain stability.
Strengthen the board with members experienced in financial oversight and strategic navigation.
Ensure board input provides regular “reality checks” to keep planning aligned with long-term goals.
Partner with an executive search firm to identify and appoint board members with the right expertise to support scenario planning and long-term strategy.
Effective board hiring is not about filling seats—it's about elevating vision, oversight, and impact.
Interested in Board Hiring?
Get in touch with Franziska
Franziska and our team has successfully helped build some of the US and Europe’s most innovative businesses.
