During a board development trip to London last week, which I had the opportunity to lead with my special support, we used the city itself as part of the agenda.
The purpose was to develop the board, broaden our perspective and look beyond our own industry for ideas and inspiration.
The board was divided into groups and given three assignments.
Choose one book relevant to business today. Our group chose Ed Conway’s Material World, a reminder of the importance of raw materials, supply chains and global dependencies behind modern business.
Find one piece of communication worth discussing. We chose an American Express campaign in the Tube, focused on people and experiences rather than the product itself.
Find one company making a strong impression. We chose Louis Vuitton and its ability to create a complete and instantly recognisable brand world through its London windows.
I sometimes bring boards out of the boardroom and into the world of art. The purpose isn’t to discuss art itself, but to gain fresh perspectives, challenge established thinking, and see familiar business questions through a different lens. During our visit to the Guggenheim Bilbao, we explored how culture transformed an entire city and inspired new ways of thinking about leadership, innovation, and long-term value creation. We each chose a favorite artwork and reflected on what it could teach us about business. This was mine.
Prudencio Irazabal’s paintings are meant to be experienced rather than merely seen. What first appears to be four simple red panels is the result of countless translucent layers of pigment. As light passes through these layers, the color gains remarkable depth and luminosity, subtly changing with the viewer’s movement. The work invites you to slow down, revealing that its true subject is not simply color, but light, space, and perception.
I’ve made a short video production myself as a brief visual introduction to my work in management and communication assignments, alongside governance responsibilities through board roles.
