BOARDROOM BOOTCAMP

Your fast track to a seat at the table.

An intensive 5-day board preparation experience for ambitious professionals who are ready to take their next step into governance and boardroom influence.

Set in the prestigious and historic surroundings of the Clocktower at St Pancras, London, this premium in-person bootcamp is designed for people who want more than a general introduction to boards. It is for those who are serious about preparing well, presenting themselves with confidence, and understanding how to compete for board roles.

Led by Sir Patrick Vernon, Lara Oyedele, and John Mayford, you will explore how boards work, what good governance looks like, how to read board papers, how to contribute effectively in meetings, and how to position your skills, experience, and values for board opportunities.

The bootcamp will cover boardroom confidence, strategic thinking, risk, accountability, personal positioning, board CVs, covering letters, LinkedIn presence, mock boardroom practice, board interviews, and how to stand out in a competitive appointments process.

You will learn through expert input, practical exercises, industry articles, case studies, videos, discussion, and guided reflection. The programme will also include guest speakers from existing board members and boardroom recruiters, offering valuable insight into what boards are looking for and how appointments are made.

A key aim of the bootcamp is that you end the week with a board ready CV and Linkedin profile.

COURSE DETAILS

Dates: Monday 3rd to Friday 7th of August 2026
Venue: St Pancras Clock Tower, St Pancras Chambers, Kings Cross, London NW1 2AR
Duration: 10am to 4:30pm each day
Class Size: Maximum 12 participants
Trainers: Sir Patrick Vernon OBE, John Mayford and Lara Oyedele.
Price: £950.00 per person

YOUR TRAINERS

Sir Professor Patrick Vernon is a nationally recognised campaigner, cultural historian, author, broadcaster, and public leader whose work over the past three decades has transformed debates on racial justice, health inequalities, cultural heritage, genealogy, and community empowerment. He is best known as the architect of the campaign for a national Windrush Day and founder of the award-winning 100 Great Black Britons movement, which has transformed public understanding of Black British history and achievement.

Patrick’s board roles have included Chair, Birmingham and Solihull NHS Integrated Care Board, Non-Exec Director, Camden & Islington NHS Foundtion Trust, Board member of North London Muslim Housing Association and Trustee of Bernie Grant Trust.

John Mayford is a specialist in governance and social enterprise. He is an anti-racism and allyship trainer. During his 15 years as the CEO of Olmec, the award winning race equality organisation, John has supported over 600 into boardroom positions. Olmec also supported 450 individuals to set up their own social enterprise businesses, including Foundervine and Life After Hummus. He is the co-fouder of Action Time Vision.

John has served on the boards of the Afiya Trust and She Is You CIC. He is currently on the boards of Shared Ownership Resource and Brighton Book Festival.

Lara Oyedele is the CEO and Founder of Black On Board Ltd, and a former President of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH). Lara has served on the boards of Meru Close Development, Housing21 and Southern Housing Group. She was chair of Hope Housing and was the founding Chair of BMENational, the collective of BME housing associations in England.

Lara currently serves on the Customer Services Committee at Incommunties Housing Association and the board of Local Access Bradford District (LABD).

ASPIRANTS

This course is perfect for professionals who are;
• Considering their first board role
• Seeking to diversify their career portfolio
• Ready to use their professional experience in a strategic capacity
• Interested in becoming trustees, non-executive directors or committee members
• Looking to increase their visibility and influence beyond their day job
• Seeking to strengthen their leadership credentials
• Passionate about giving back to communities and causes they care about
• Experienced managers and executives who want to broaden their impact
• Professionals who have never considered a board role but are curious about governance
• Individuals who want to build a stronger personal brand and LinkedIn presence
• Black and Brown professionals who want to see themselves represented in leadership and decision making
• Approaching the later stages of their career who want to have a lasting legacy through board service.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

Expert instruction from experienced governance and leadership professionals
Guest speakers from existing board members and boardroom recruiters
Industry articles, case studies, videos, and practical learning materials
Templates and resources for board CVs and covering letters
Dedicated LinkedIn guidance
Support to help you develop a board ready CV
A mock board meeting to practise boardroom contribution in a realistic setting
Mock board interview practice and personalised feedback
Networking with fellow aspiring and emerging board members
Lunch and refreshments throughout each day