HRD to NED: How to advance your career
Advice on planning for and finding your first NED position, and delivering impact in your new role

Advice on planning for and finding your first NED position, and delivering impact in your new role
With increasing numbers of senior people professionals sitting on boards as non-executive directors (NEDs), it’s no surprise that many HR leaders have aspirations of building a portfolio career of NED roles. But while chairs are becoming more open to those from HR backgrounds joining boards, getting a NED role remains a competitive and challenging process.
So, what should you consider when deciding whether a NED role is for you? How do you find a suitable role and how can you make an impact from day one? We’ve spoken to board-level headhunters and HR leaders who have landed NED roles and have put together some recommendations to help you set yourself up for success.
While our insights are from the perspectives of UK senior leaders and headhunters, they should be applicable wherever you are based.
Affiliate membership offers instant access to CIPD resources without the need for assessments or study, or explore your options to become a professional member of the CIPD to demonstrate your commitment to the world of work.
Already a member? Login here.
Listen to episodes of HR People Pod, the CIPD’s fortnightly podcast providing expert insights from HR leaders discussing the topical issues impacting the world of work.
Listen nowThis factsheet explores corporate responsibility and putting it into action in the workplace
Practical advice for people professionals to maximise the impact of engaging with all employees through employee voice channels
Practical guidance for managers on preventing and reducing stress at work
This guide provides a practical introduction to the role of an L&D function in an organisation. It offers support on the key steps to offering effective L&D, including creating a learning strategy, undertaking a learning needs analysis, designing learning interventions and measuring the impact of learning.
Understand what strategic workforce planning is and how to do it