Where to Start Your Search for a Non-Executive Director

Introduction: The Challenge of Finding the Right NED

Appointing a non-executive director is one of the most important decisions a board can make. Yet many boards struggle with the starting point: where to look.

The challenge lies in balancing speed, cost, and quality. A poor search process risks delivering generic candidates, while a targeted search can uncover transformational directors who align with strategy and investor needs.

This blog outlines the main avenues boards use to begin their NED search, and the strengths and limitations of each.

Route 1: Executive Search Firms

The most common starting point is engaging an executive search firm.

Strengths:

• Access to curated databases of experienced NEDs.

• Structured assessment processes.

• Ability to benchmark compensation and governance standards.

Limitations:

• High cost, often disproportionate for smaller companies.

• Risk of recycled candidates who appear on every shortlist.

• Potential bias toward “safe” profiles rather than transformative ones.

Route 2: Investor and Shareholder Networks

For companies backed by private equity, venture capital or sovereign funds, investors often have a pool of trusted NED candidates.

Strengths:

• Candidates are known and trusted by investors.

• Alignment with investor expectations.

• Faster onboarding and immediate credibility.

Limitations:

• May limit independence if candidates are seen as “investor appointees.”

• Narrower pool compared to wider market searches.

Route 3: Industry and Professional Networks

Boards in telecoms, infrastructure and technology often find strong candidates through industry contacts, professional bodies, or former executives transitioning to portfolio careers.

Strengths:

• Sector-specific expertise.

• Informal credibility with management teams.

• Lower cost than executive search.

Limitations:

• Informal processes risk overlooking governance and diversity considerations.

• Candidate quality depends heavily on the board’s network reach.

Route 4: Direct Outreach and Digital Platforms

Some boards, particularly smaller companies, now use digital platforms or LinkedIn campaigns to identify potential NEDs.

Strengths:

• Wider reach, particularly across geographies.

• Cost-effective compared to traditional search.

• Can attract diverse or unconventional candidates.

Limitations:

• Time-intensive screening process.

• Higher risk of unqualified candidates.

• May lack the credibility investors expect in regulated sectors.

Route 5: Advisory-to-NED Pathways

In complex sectors like telecoms and infrastructure, boards increasingly appoint trusted advisors into NED roles.

Strengths:

• Candidates already familiar with the company and sector.

• Smooth transition from advisory to governance.

• Proven trust and working relationship.

Limitations:

• Risk of blurred boundaries between advisory and governance.

• Need to ensure independence is maintained.

So What for Boards?

The route a board takes to find its next NED depends on:

• Budget – Can the board fund executive search, or is a network approach more realistic?

• Sector complexity – Does the company require specialist domain knowledge?

• Investor expectations – Are investors pushing for recognised candidates from their networks?

• Governance needs – Is independence the priority, or sector fluency?

Boards that invest time in clarifying their search objectives before choosing a route achieve better outcomes.

Board Conclusion

There is no single right way to start a NED search. The best boards combine multiple approaches:

• Using investor networks for credibility.

• Leveraging industry contacts for expertise.

• Considering executive search for breadth and process rigour.

Ultimately, the starting point matters less than the clarity of purpose. Boards that define what they need — independence, sector knowledge, investor credibility — are best placed to appoint NEDs who add real value.

Bridge Connect works with boards at the earliest stages of NED searches, helping to define strategic requirements and identify candidates with sector-specific expertise. With decades of global experience in telecoms, infrastructure and investment, we support boards in finding NEDs who go beyond governance to deliver strategic impact.

If your board is beginning a NED search, contact Bridge Connect for a confidential discussion on where to start.