Our Non-Executive Director Development Programme continues to give aspiring NEDs valuable access to real boardroom experience, helping to develop the next generation of governance leaders in Guernsey.
One recent participant, Heath Martorella, has completed an 18-month placement in the commercial insurance sector, shadowing the Board of Optimum Global Insurance Company (OGICO).
The placement gave Heath the opportunity to observe the Board over a full cycle of business, regulatory and audit matters, with mentoring from Richard Le Tocq, Non-Executive Chair of OGICO.
Reflecting on the experience, Heath said:
“I really enjoyed my placement with OGICO, which gave me a great opportunity to observe the Board in action over a full cycle of business, regulatory, and audit matters, with excellent mentoring from the Non-Exec Chairman, Richard Le Tocq.
“I have gained very useful knowledge of the insurance sector, and more widely the NED Development Programme has given me a great foundation to seek NED positions going forward.”
The placement also helped Heath develop a deeper understanding of the role of a non-executive director and the value NEDs bring to an organisation.
He shared three key pieces of advice for future NED Development Programme trainees:
Observe the ‘governance mindset’
“Try to get a basic understanding of the business as soon as you can. Then, observe and learn how the NEDs on the Board step above operations to provide oversight — with constructive questions and challenge — to hold the business to account. Also, how the NEDs anticipate risks before they escalate.”
Key issues
“See if your own identification of key issues etc. in meetings and Board packs chimes with your mentor – this will provide interesting discussion points and learning opportunities!”
Gain further insights
“Request short 1-1 meetings with other directors for areas you wish to explore further. I spoke to the founder to gain a better understanding of the wider group business strategy, BD, and how key staff are motivated.”
Heath concluded:
“It was a great opportunity, and I would highly commend this programme to any aspiring NED looking to gain real-world experience of company boards and decision-making.
“My thanks to the Board of OGICO, my mentor Richard Le Tocq, Strategic Risk Solutions in Guernsey as manager to OGICO, my GTA mentor Malcolm Cutts-Watson, and to GTA for facilitating this placement. I am also grateful to my employer, Bellerive Group, for their support.”
Richard Le Tocq, Non-Executive Chair of OGICO, added:
“Heath has been a very active and enthusiastic participant. His commercial experience from a different Guernsey regulatory sector proved to be useful.
“I recommended extending the placement period from the proposed 12 months to 18 months to ensure that Heath experienced a full cycle of Board activities, including regulatory returns and the internal and external audit process.”
Simon Le Tocq, CEO of the GTA added:
"“Heath’s experience is a great example of what the NED Development Programme is designed to achieve.
By giving aspiring non-executive directors direct exposure to boardroom discussion, decision-making and governance in practice, the programme helps build confidence, capability and future board talent for Guernsey.
We are grateful to OGICO, Richard Le Tocq, Strategic Risk Solutions and all those who supported Heath throughout his placement.”"
Through the NED Development Programme, the GTA continues to support Guernsey’s professional community by developing future board members and strengthening the island’s governance capability.
The programme forms part of GTA’s wider role in enhancing the skills of Guernsey’s workforce through professional development, leadership, governance and lifelong learning opportunities.
If you are interested in becoming a NED or your organisation would like to join the programme as a partner board please get in touch.
01481 224570