International Women’s Day webinar replay: breaking down boardroom barriers – navigating your NED journey

To celebrate International Women’s Day, Brewer Morris (as part of The SR Group) hosted a webinar focused on helping women navigate the path to becoming a Non-Executive Director (NED).

Stepping into a boardroom role can be a challenging journey, hindered by limited opportunities, self-doubt and a complex recruitment process. As independent voices on a company’s board, NEDs play a crucial role in providing strategic direction, governance and oversight. Yet breaking into these positions can feel like a closed door. Moderated by Sarah Ingwersen, Managing Director at Taylor Root, our panel explored these challenges and featured insights from accomplished NEDs Joanna Bonnett, Rachel Tranter and Tara Ricks, who shared their personal experiences and tips for securing a board position.

Whether you are just starting to consider a NED role, actively looking for board opportunities or want to support more women in leadership, this webinar provides valuable strategies and actionable advice that you can apply to your career journey.

Webinar replay

Meet the panellists

Joanna Bonnett

NED | Riverside Finance
Group Treasurer | Straumann

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Joanna is the Group Treasurer of Straumann, the world’s largest dental med-tech specialist. Prior to this, she spent seven years at PageGroup as their Group Treasurer and Chief Sustainability Officer, sitting on the board-appointed Sustainability Committee.

Outside of her executive career, Joanna is on the board of Riverside Finance, sitting on Riverside’s Treasury Committee and spent five years on the board of the Association of Corporate Treasurers. Until May 2024, she held the position of President and Chair of the Board and now holds the positions of Immediate Past President and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Rachel tranter

Former NED | Amateur FA
Co-Founder and Executive Director | WB Directors

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Rachel is a founding Director of Women on Boards UK. With over a decade’s experience in non-executive board recruitment – she advises recruiting boards on their requirements and approach and supports members to excel during selection processes. She has deep insight in public sector recruitment and sits as an Independent Panel Member for the Ministry of Justice.

Rachel previously sat as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Amateur FA, combining her passions for football and governance. She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, ATII qualified.

Tara Ricks

NED | The SR Group
Co-Owner and Partner | Elite Leaders

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Tara is a highly experienced recruitment professional with over 25 years’ experience in the sector. As a NED, Chair and Board Advisor, she supports ambitious businesses with their growth and exit strategies.

Tara has a proven track record in leading and growing successful teams, developing strategy, scaling and internationalisation, M&A and exit planning. She is also the Co-Owner and Partner of Elite Leaders, the network and advisory consultants to recruitment business leaders.

Meet the host