The evolution of boards and of the skills they require is gathering pace, according to a Non-Executive Director Awards webinar.

Now more than ever, boards need non-executive directors with outstanding skills to help steer them through the difficult decisions ahead.

This year’s accolades celebrated exceptional non-executive directors, whether they are a ‘safe pair of hands’ or ‘a magician’.

This year’s winners include the chair of National Grid, a “true British success story”, a media giant and a “humble leader”.

The non-executive director’s role is to both challenge and listen to management, agreed the panel of a recent webinar.

The awards will recognise the skills and guidance shown by non-executive directors, in uncertain geopolitical and economic circumstances.

This year’s winners include a hospital foundation chair, a diversity leader and a chair at the heart of efforts on a Covid vaccine.

While bemoaning the “glacial” pace of audit reform, he hails the pandemic’s transformation of communication between boards and employees.

Past winners of The Sunday Times NED Awards reflect on the pandemic’s impact on non-executive directors—and the future of boards.

Lord Norman Blackwell scoops the FTSE 100 non-executive of the year award in a year that presented “immense challenges” for boards.