Board & Chair Appointments
Appointing Chairs and Non-Executive Directors with the governance expertise, independence of judgement, and diversity of thought required to guide the modern enterprise.
Composition is strategy.
Board and Chair appointments are among the most consequential decisions a company makes, and the ones most often underserved by conventional search. The candidate universe is narrower, the stakes are higher, and the evaluation demands judgement about qualities that are rarely visible on a résumé.
Our Board practice works with listed company chairs, private company shareholders, nomination committees, and NFP councils on chair succession, non-executive composition, and full board reviews. We bring sector depth, governance fluency, and discretion to work that demands all three.
We are equally comfortable on single appointments, staged board refreshes, and whole-board composition mapping, and we take a long-term view of the relationships we build with the boards we serve.
Where we focus.
-
Listed boards
Chair succession, non-executive appointments, and full board composition reviews for ASX, NZX, and internationally listed entities, delivered with the governance fluency and market sensitivity listed work demands.
-
Private and family boards
Independent chair and NED appointments for private enterprises, often as part of a broader conversation about governance maturity, generational transition, or preparation for external capital.
-
Investor-backed boards
Portfolio board construction for PE and growth-capital owners, aligning board capability to investment thesis and critical phases of the hold period.
-
NFP & institutional councils
Board and council appointments for universities, charitable foundations, iwi-owned enterprises, and member organisations, balancing stewardship, strategy, and stakeholder considerations.
What a board engagement includes.
Composition mapping
A diagnostic view of the board's current capabilities, experiences, and independence, set against strategy and emerging requirements.
Brief definition
A structured process to translate strategy into the specific skills, experiences, and perspectives the appointment should bring.
Candidate research
Discreet, research-driven identification across relevant markets, considering candidates well beyond the obvious list.
Structured assessment
Evaluation against the brief, including governance philosophy, independence of mind, and chemistry with the incumbent board.
Referencing & due diligence
Comprehensive referencing and reputational due diligence, essential for appointments carrying public profile and fiduciary responsibility.
Onboarding counsel
Structured onboarding support for the new director, and a formal check-in with the chair following the first full board cycle.
A board calibrated to strategy.
The boards we appoint to report stronger alignment between capability and strategy, sustained effectiveness through major transitions, and a higher proportion of directors engaged beyond the minimum commitments of the role.
We take particular pride in the durability of the appointments we make, chairs and non-executives who serve full terms, contribute meaningfully to the organisations they join, and often become advocates for Lighthouse in their own networks.
Discuss a board mandate →
Leadership decisions shape the future of your organisation.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss an upcoming mandate, a succession question, or simply to begin a longer-term conversation. All enquiries are handled in strict confidence.