Welcome to our series of interviews presenting our outstanding board candidates. These interviews give you a unique opportunity to get to know the inspiring individuals who are ready to bring their expertise and insight to the boardroom.
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 Toril Eidesvik
Toril is a lawyer by training but has worked in management since 2003. She says herself that she was in the right place at the right time when the quota for women was introduced in ASA companies, and she has since held a number of board positions, mainly related to the shipping industry. Today her board seats include Edda Wind, which supplies vessels for offshore wind, Eksportfinans, the start-up Evoy, which makes electric boat motors, and the Port of London Authority.
What motivates you to serve on a board?
Two things:
- It is a privilege to get so close to a company. It is very instructive to see how others work, and there is an incredible amount of inspiration to take back to your own business – the latter on both the plus and the minus side.
- It is good to be able to use and share the expertise you have built up. What you learn most from is often the difficult situations, and I am happy to share that experience.
What are the most important qualities of a good board candidate?
- Time is rarely mentioned, but it is an absolute prerequisite – both time to prepare and time to take meetings at short notice when necessary. Having the perfect candidate is no help if he or she does not have the time.
- Curiosity – about the business and how it works, and about colleagues, both on the board and in management.
Fearlessness when it comes to asking uncomfortable and difficult questions.
What is your philosophy on board work?
Good board work is very much about creating awareness, both on the board and in management. And now I am going to say something slightly out of place in this setting, but the truth is that board work is a little overrated. The most important thing a board does is make sure the company has good management. The board depends on input from management to do a good job. The reverse is not true to the same extent, although I would certainly stress the importance of having a good board.
How would you like people to describe you after a board meeting?
That I was well prepared and engaged, asked good questions and had a certain sense of humour that contributed to a good atmosphere.
What is the most valuable lesson you have taken from your previous board experience?
Too little time is often spent understanding the business. To understand risks and drivers you need good knowledge, and to get that you need insight through concrete examples. An important lesson is that almost everything is a little more mundane than you allow for, and understanding this matters. However, this in no way means that the board should micromanage.
What do you hope to contribute as a board member?
Good discussions that result in solutions or insights that are better or greater than the sum of what each of those present contributed.
Would you like to know more about Toril and which board positions she can take on? Feel free to contact us
