Director Onboarding Pack

When to use this

A new NED who's effective in their first three meetings is rare and valuable. This pack accelerates them: the right reading, the right introductions, the right expectations.

What’s included

• Section 1 — The company at a glance
• Section 2 — The board
• Section 3 — Induction meetings (in this order, in the first 60 days)
• Section 4 — Reading list (recommended order)
• Section 5 — Practical
• Section 6 — What good looks like in your first three meetings

What to customise before you use it

• Replace Director Name with your real meeting, project, or stakeholder details.
• Replace Date with your real meeting, project, or stakeholder details.
• Replace Name with your real meeting, project, or stakeholder details.
• Replace Document with your real meeting, project, or stakeholder details.

# Director Onboarding Pack — [Director Name]

**Appointed:** [Date]   **First board meeting:** [Date]   **Buddy director:** [Name]

## Section 1 — The company at a glance
- Articles of Association
- Most recent annual report
- Last three board minutes (excluding confidential items)
- Current strategy paper
- Top-line organisation chart
- Cap table (if relevant)

## Section 2 — The board
- Chair's letter of welcome
- Profiles of all directors
- Committee structures and remits
- Standing reports the board sees each meeting
- Calendar of meetings for the year
- Decision rights matrix (what the board decides vs management)

## Section 3 — Induction meetings (in this order, in the first 60 days)
| # | With | Format | Purpose |
|---|------|--------|---------|
| 1 | Chair | 60 min | Expectations, board dynamics |
| 2 | CEO | 90 min | Strategy, the management team |
| 3 | CFO | 60 min | Numbers, audit, risks |
| 4 | Buddy director | 60 min | Unwritten rules of this board |
| 5 | Company Secretary | 60 min | Process, papers, statutory obligations |
| 6 | Each other director | 30 min each |   |
| 7 | Each committee chair | 30 min each |   |
| 8 | Site visit / customer call-in | 2-3 hours |   |

## Section 4 — Reading list (recommended order)
1. [Document]
2. [Document]
3. [Document]

## Section 5 — Practical
- Director and Officer insurance details
- Independence declaration
- Code of conduct sign-off
- Expenses and fees policy
- Press / external speaking guidelines

## Section 6 — What good looks like in your first three meetings
- Listen more than you speak
- Ask one clarifying question per item, not three
- Be specific about what you'd need to make a decision
- Read the room — when management is asking for help, give it