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

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”.

Ruth Cairnie and Maggie Chan Jones will join the board of BT Group plc as independent non-executive directors.

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