Graham Durgan, Chairman of the Non Executive Directors Association shares five ideas on how to become a non-executive director.

1.      Be one already – its always easier to get a role when you can prove you've already succeeded in a similar one.

2.      Network – 90% of non-execs get their role through contacts. The link may be within an executive search firm or simply the ‘old boys' network'. Organisations like ‘Women on Board' and NEDA (the Non-Executive directors Association) are trying to change things by encouraging diversity but progress is slow.

3.      Prove you understand your role – know your duties and if possible pass a test to show you do (NEDA is launching one in the first 6 months of 2010). Appreciate your job is to challenge not to manage the business on a day- to-day basis.

4.      Consider the public sector – NHS trusts and other government organisations operate an open selection process. Again go to www.nedaglobal.com to find a summary of the roles that have been advertised.

5.      Join NEDA – this organisation has one of the fastest growing pools of existing and potential non-execs in the world.

For further information contact info@nedaglobal.com