10 March 2021

As private and public sector boards globally are dealing with unprecedented governance challenges and opportunities, accelerated in part by the pandemic and Brexit, Board Excellence today announces the merger with Acorn Governance Solutions, whose founders,   Ros O’Shea and Dr Jonathan Westrup, are joining the Board Excellence partner team, in the latest exciting development for this fast growing Irish-based international board consulting practice. 

 

Founded in 2016, Board Excellence supports a wide range of client boards across all sectors, including PLCs, private companies, SMEs, family-owned businesses, public-sector and not-for-profit organisations in key areas such as external board evaluations, bespoke director training, independent board dispute mediation, strategic planning, reputational risk management, ESG engagement, board composition and succession planning, as well as a search service for Board Chairs and Non-Executive Directors.

 

Commenting on the merger, Kieran Moynihan, Managing Partner of Board Excellence, said, 

 

“The combination of our unique approach to board effectiveness and a move towards a more virtual boardroom has accelerated our global expansion and we have found that there is a strong growing demand from progressive boards for our offering. Directors of progressive boards are dealing with so many new agenda items including the Environment Social and Governance agenda (ESG), accelerated customer-led digital transformation, employee engagement and diversity and cultural oversight to name just a few. With Ros and Jonathan joining our partner team, we can build on Board Excellence’s proven track record and momentum in supporting board teams in setting the bar high in such critical governance matters, driving sustained improvement in their board effectiveness and excelling for all their stakeholders and shareholders.”

 

Ros O’Shea, Partner of Board Excellence and former founding Partner at Acorn Governance Solutions  added, “There are so many synergies with the merger, in particular, the fact that we are all experienced board chairs and directors, we have a first-hand understanding of governance issues and challenges. This underpins a collegiate approach with pragmatic, highly-effective solutions. By combining our vast expertise and experience we are now the leading board consulting practice in the country.” 

 

Board Excellence is the first board consulting practice in Ireland to expand internationally. In 2020, the firm experienced exceptional growth in the UK (over 250%), despite the challenges of Covid-19 and Brexit. Board Excellence now supports UK companies that are listed on FTSE and AIM Stock Exchange, global membership bodies and UK public sector organisations. 

 

Board Excellence also supports the leading European Development Finance Institutions (DFI) who invest in companies in developing economies around the world.

 

The merger of these two established firms, creates a leading international board practice which helps board teams address significant challenges, headwinds and opportunities, now and in the future.

 

For more information on Board Excellence please visit www.boardexcellence.ie