NED and Trustee Recruitment
The challenges facing organisations today, from geopolitical risks and economic uncertainty to digital transformation and sustainability, cut across industries and policy domains. Boards that bring together leaders from diverse sectors, industries and backgrounds are better equipped to navigate such complexities, avoid groupthink, and make resilient decisions.
At WIG, we help organisations recruit the right NEDs and Trustees who bring breadth of experience and depth of insights from diverse sectors. We also help talented leaders with diverse, lived experiences and expertise take on board opportunities that expand their perspective and amplify their impact.
Our Talent Team is committed to improving the representation of women and people of colour on boards. We have an unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion, and we conduct our searches with rigorous diligence. In the last 12 months, 48% of our appointments were placed with women, while 30% of appointments were placed with individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Tailored support to recruit diverse, cross-sector board leaders
Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) and Trustees play a vital role in shaping strategy, strengthening governance, and supporting long-term growth. Their true impact comes when boards draw on forward-thinking leaders from across sectors and industries. Cross-sector voices bring fresh perspectives, challenge assumptions, and strengthen decision-making by avoiding siloed thinking.
At WIG, we provide a complete, end-to-end recruitment service tailored to your organisation's needs and budget. Our Talent Team works closely with you to understand your needs before conducting a targeted search and selection process to find the perfect fit for both the organisation and the individual. With our extensive cross-sector network of NED talent spanning business, government, education, and civil society, we are uniquely positioned to help you bring in bold, diverse voices that will add real value to your board.
Partner with us to find bold, forward-thinking leaders who will bring cross-sector insight, constructive challenge, and strategic growth and resilience to your board.
Opportunities to broaden leadership and amplify impact
For individuals, serving as a NED or Trustee is not just about giving back. It’s a chance to share your expertise, develop new skills, and contribute to the strategic direction of an organisation outside of your own. This cross-pollination of ideas creates stronger boards and more resilient organisations.
Discover how you can take the next step toward your board career with confidence and make an impact that lasts.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion
Across UK boardrooms, progress on diversity remains uneven. In the charity sector, 43% of trustees are women and just 8% are from ethnic minority backgrounds (Charity Commission, 2025). On FTSE 350 boards, women hold around 43% of seats, and only 12–15% of directors are from ethnic minorities (Spencer Stuart UK Board Index, 2025).
At WIG, we are committed to working with you to change this picture. Our Talent Team works rigorously to ensure fair representation in every search. In the last 12 months alone:
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48% of our appointments were with women
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30% were individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds
Our results consistently outperform sector benchmarks, particularly in terms of ethnic diversity. This reflects our ability to reach beyond the “usual suspects” and bring fresh, cross-sector perspectives into the boardroom. With over 15 years of leadership recruitment expertise and a membership spanning public, private, education, and civil society sectors, we are uniquely positioned to harness cross-sector talent for the boardroom.
Trusted partner for NED & Trustee placements
Our recruitment service sits within our Strategic Dialogue offer and directly contributes to our charitable purpose by sharing learning and experience between sectors. Since 1999, we have appointed over 500 Non-Executives and Chairs to public bodies, including high-profile appointments such as:
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Chair – Public Sector Audit Appointments
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Non-Executive Directors – IdeA
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Chair & Non-Executive Directors – Local Partnerships
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Chair of ECAB – British Army
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Committee Member – Home Office
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Board Members – Legal Services Board
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Chair and Non-Executive Directors – Jersey Audit Office
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Chair and Non-Executive Directors – Northern Ireland Civil Service
Shaping diverse boardrooms across sectors
The breadth of our cross-sector board placements demonstrates WIG’s unique ability to connect leaders across sectors and bring diverse perspectives, dialogue and resilience into the boardroom. Our appointments (from 2020-2025) mainly include:
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Public Sector: Army Board, DEFRA, Government Legal Department, HM Treasury, Legal Services Board
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Private Sector: Thames Water Customer Challenge Group
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Civil Society: Diabetes UK, ParalympicsGB, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Woman’s Trust, Clarion Housing Group, Greensleeves Care, International Students House
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Professional Bodies: Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Audit & Risk Committees
"I approached WIG regarding a NED role I was interested in applying for, and I found them to be very helpful throughout the process. WIG were very knowledgeable about the role and the requirements of their client. Their communication is excellent, and I am pleased to say that I secured that position. I would recommend them to anyone looking to advance their NED career."
Sharon Critchlow
Non-Executive Director, Clarion Housing Association
"We were really impressed with WIG’s support in our search for a digital expert to join our Customer Challenge Group. Despite launching the campaign over the Christmas period, we were pleased with both the strong response to the brief and the high calibre of applicants. The team was responsive throughout, and we wouldn’t hesitate to work with WIG again for future opportunities."
Sukhvinder Kaur-Stubbs
Sukhvinder Kaur-Stubbs Chair, Independent Customer Scrutiny Group, Thames Water | Board Member, Regulator of Social Housing & RICS Standards Board | Governance & Strategy Advisor
"WIG has been incredibly supportive over the past 18 months in guiding me on my journey to becoming a Non-Executive Director. They provided advice and encouragement throughout the application process for Plymouth Science Park, where I am now proud to serve as a NED and Chair of the Finance Committee. WIG also introduced me to a valuable contact from their network, who offered further guidance on the practicalities of applying. I am truly grateful for their support."
Samir Parkash
Chief Risk Officer, UK Export Finance
Whether you are an individual or an organisation, if you are keen to discuss what the next steps could look like for you, please get in touch with our Talent team by clicking the button below. You can also reach us by emailing [email protected] or by telephone: +44 20 7227 4787. Our services are open to all, with dedicated pricing available to both members and non-members.
