Welcome to our series of interviews presenting our talented board candidates. These interviews give you a unique opportunity to get to know our talented board candidates, who are ready to bring their expertise and insight to the boardroom.
We have access to Norway’s most comprehensive database of board candidates, and from it we have handpicked a selection of experienced leaders with a broad range of backgrounds and expertise. They represent a diversity of perspectives, and all share an understanding of the importance of good governance in achieving strategic and operational goals.
Through these interviews you will gain insight into what motivates them, their views on board work and, not least, the personal qualities and skills they can offer. We hope this will give a fuller picture of each candidate and inspire engagement and discussion about the role of the board in modern business management.
This time we talk to board candidate Christine Schie
Christine has broad experience as a senior executive in technology, groceries, retail and accounting. Among other roles, she has been CEO of VIEW Ledger and Villa Paradiso Group and Sales Director at Nortura, and she has headed Digital Consulting at the technology giant Tietoevry. This has given her experience of companies with different “forms of ownership” and “ownership phases” – from the founder phase to private equity and listed companies.
Christine has held various board positions, but not least, as CEO she has reported to professional boards, in both privately owned and private equity-owned companies. She herself highlights this as the best arena for learning about board work. “Reporting to professional boards as CEO has given me good insight into how important the board’s role can be for the company, its owners and its management.”
What motivates you to serve on a board?
I am curious. I am quick to understand what drives good results. Culture and organisation. Contributing to value creation on the board motivates me greatly.
What is your philosophy on board work, and what are the important qualities of a good board candidate?
In the role of board member, it is important to have a good understanding of your role. Wear your “board hat”. Be aware of the balance between the board’s formal duties and the board as a resource for management. How the board can best support management in its work to achieve the owners’ goals for the company. Challenge when it is right to do so. Help apply the “better safe than sorry” principle, and understand risk.
As a board member, it is important to be conscious of your own integrity in the work. Your own values. The board is in many ways the company’s moral compass. It is therefore important that, as a board member, you want to be associated with the company. In the same way, it is important for the owners that the board includes representatives the company can be associated with.
How would you like people to describe you after a board meeting?
I am generally engaged. I hope that will also be the impression I leave after a board meeting. That I have contributed input, experience, scenario thinking and dialogue that can be useful for further work in the company and on the board. Interaction within the board – and with management – is important. As I said, the board is not just a supervisory body.
What do you hope to contribute as a board member?
I want to contribute insight and expertise on value creation in different growth phases. Market understanding and customer insight at a time when industry boundaries are shifting. An understanding of how this affects the business model and strategy. The importance of a good internal and external communication strategy. Culture and change management. As an economist, I will also make profitability and an understanding of accounts a cornerstone of my board work.
Being conscious of your role is also something I see as very important to succeeding in board work.
Do you need new board members? Get in touch!
