Governance professionals: 2021 and beyond
This report explores the evolution of governance professional roles, the career landscape and opportunities to support the profession.
Governance professionals are paid to provide administrative and advisory support to governing boards and, depending on their roles and the governance structures served, act as the strategic lead for wider governance support provided by clerks. They make an invaluable contribution to board efficiency, effectiveness, productivity and compliance. They also have a crucial role in promoting the culture that ensures good governance in schools and trusts.
Research overview
This report draws on a survey of over 1,200 governance professionals, covering the following areas:Â
- routes into the professionÂ
- motivations for joining the professionÂ
- job titles Â
- pay Â
- levels of confidence and satisfaction Â
- qualifications Â
- training development and appraisals Â
The findings of the report have contributed to NGA’s work on a career pathway for governance professionals to raise the profile of governance professionals and provide an important context on the evolution of governance professional roles.
Key findings
- There is a single governance profession working across schools and trusts, within which there
are different roles requiring different knowledge, with many individuals having experience of
serving both maintained schools and academy trusts. - Governance professionals are undervalued because their critical and valuable role is not well
understood by the sector. - The governance profession requires a career framework linked to clear expectations, relevant
qualifications and remuneration. - Governing boards have been slow to implement the Clerking Matters expectations which has
had a detrimental effect on advancing pay to appropriate levels and ensuring CPD is rewarded.
-
“Anything that can elevate the status of the role would be good. It is hugely underestimated just how much knowledge and skills are required.”
Governance professional and research participant
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