Good practice library

Information and ideas for boards and committees

Board responsibilities

There are several different types of boards and each of these boards will have slightly different responsibilities depending on the specific needs of the organization. Regardsless of the type, most boards will have several responsibilities that are crucial for the effective governance and strategic direction of an organization.
Here are some of these key responsibilies:

Overseeing management

The board is responsible for overseeing the company's management to ensure that it operates in the best interests of shareholders and stakeholders. This includes setting broad company policies, making significant decisions on corporate strategy, and providing guidance on major issues such as mergers, acquisitions, and financial performance.

Strategic planning

The board plays a significant role in the strategic planning process, setting the organization's goals and ensuring that the company is on the right path to achieve them. Read more about this here.

Risk management

The board must establish policies to identify, evaluate, and mitigate risks that could impact the company. This includes financial, legal, and operational risks. By doing so, they help safeguard the company's assets and ensure its long-term sustainability.

Protecting shareholders' interests

The board has a fiduciary duty to act in good faith and with due diligence, making decisions that maximize shareholder value. They are responsible for ensuring transparent and accurate financial reporting, which is critical for maintaining investor confidence.

Hiring and evaluating senior management

The board is tasked with hiring and evaluating the performance of senior management, including the CEO. They set executive compensation and succession planning to ensure that the company has strong leadership in place. This oversight helps align the interests of management with those of the shareholders.

Establishing policies

The board is responsible for establishing and overseeing the implementation of policies that govern the organization. This includes policies related to corporate governance, ethics, and compliance.

In general, the board serves as the governing body that steers the company towards achieving its mission and goals while maintaining accountability and transparency. Their decisions and actions have a profound impact on the organization's success and reputation.

More about board responsibilities

  • Strategic planning

    Strategic planning is a critical responsibility of the board of directors, as it sets the long-term direction and goals... Read more

  • Board-staff relationship

    Board-staff relationships are the interactions and dynamics between the board of directors and the staff of an organization. These relationships... Read more