Virtual Non-Executive Director (VNED)
What is a VNED?
↑ Back to TopThe Virtual Non-Executive Director service provides experienced, independent strategic support to business owners and senior management without the formality or burden of appointing a full statutory non-executive director. It is “virtual” not because it is remote, but because it is deliberately scoped. The focus is on strategy, development, growth and good governance, rather than on full board duties or regulatory appointments. The VNED acts as a trusted senior adviser to the owners, helping to guide the business at a leadership level while remaining operationally proportionate.
The role is designed to promote the long-term, sustainable success of the company. This includes helping define and refine purpose, values and strategy, ensuring culture is aligned, planning for appropriate resources across the business and its supply chain, and setting meaningful headline KPIs that can be translated into practical, departmental-level measures.
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When might it be appropriate to appoint a VNED?
↑ Back to TopA VNED is most valuable when a business has grown beyond its early stages and requires more structured strategic thinking, governance and accountability, but is not yet ready or suited for a formal board with statutory non-executives. This often coincides with periods of growth, transition, increased complexity, succession planning, or when founders find themselves too close to day-to-day operations to step back and take a longer-term view.
It is particularly effective where businesses are owner-managed, founder-led or tightly held, and where senior management would benefit from constructive challenge, prioritisation and accountability between board or strategy meetings, rather than advice that is purely reactive or project-specific.
Where are VNED services available?
↑ Back to TopA VNED is most valuable when a business has grown beyond its early stages and requires more structured strategic thinking, governance and accountability, but is not yet ready or suited for a formal board with statutory non-executives. This often coincides with periods of growth, transition, increased complexity, succession planning, or when founders find themselves too close to day-to-day operations to step back and take a longer-term view.
It is particularly effective where businesses are owner-managed, founder-led or tightly held, and where senior management would benefit from constructive challenge, prioritisation and accountability between board or strategy meetings, rather than advice that is purely reactive or project-specific.
Why appoint a VNED?
↑ Back to TopA VNED helps businesses move from reactive decision-making to deliberate, structured progress. By providing independent oversight and challenge, the service supports clearer strategic thinking, better prioritisation and more consistent follow-through on agreed actions. It creates space for owners and senior managers to focus on what matters most, rather than being consumed by immediate operational pressures.
Clients choose us because the relationship is built over time. We invest in understanding the business, its people, its constraints and its ambitions. This allows us to act as a genuine “critical friend”, offering partner-level insight, recognising the limits of our role, and bringing in specialist support where appropriate. Unlike episodic advisory input, the VNED model provides continuity, accountability and calm, experienced judgement at the centre of the business.
How is the VNED service delivered?
↑ Back to TopEngagements typically begin with a full-day strategy session to establish context, agree priorities, frame the VNED remit and undertake a structured stock-take of the business, its systems, processes and strategy.
This results in a written output for agreement, together with a detailed, prioritised action list designed to move the business forward. This is followed by a programme of half-day meetings at agreed intervals, during which progress against actions is reviewed, pipelines and strategic developments are discussed, and short-, medium- and long-term objectives are refined.
Between meetings, we provide ongoing support through pre-reading, follow-ups and action tracking, applying gentle but consistent pressure to ensure momentum is maintained.
Who is VNED suitable for?
↑ Back to TopThe VNED service is used by founders, owners and senior leadership teams who want experienced strategic input without creating formal board complexity. It is particularly well suited to businesses in growth sectors, creative and technical industries, and operationally demanding environments where leadership time is scarce but strategic clarity is critical.
Clients are typically sophisticated, capable operators who value challenge, perspective and accountability. They seek a trusted, experienced voice that understands entrepreneurial reality, respects management autonomy, and helps translate ambition into structured, achievable progress.
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