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Buying and Selling a Business: An Entrepreneurs Guide

Paperback Book

For many the dream of owning their own business remains just that. Even if you have a great idea, the work and money involved in building a business from the ground up can prove too daunting. What few aspiring entrepreneurs realise is that buying an already existing business can be far easier, sometimes possible with little or no money at all, and can be just as satisfying a route to self-sufficiency.

£8.99
No description available

FT Guide to Finance for Non-Financial Managers

Paperback Book

The Financial Times Guide to Finance for Non-Financial Managers will show you how to transform seemingly complex financial information and statistics into data that makes sense. And into data that you’ll feel confident talking about. You’ll learn the language of finance, which will help you better formulate decisions on a day-to-day basis

£19.99
How to Become a World-Class Non-Executive Director: The Essential Guide

How to Become a World-Class Non-Executive Director: The Essential Guide

Paperback Book

With an increasing desire for pursuing a portfolio career, becoming a Non-Executive Director (NED) is a very popular option. How to Become a World-Class Non-Executive Director has been written by an award-winning serial NED, Jo Haigh, and provides first-hand insights into what the role actually is, how to find the opportunities, how to behave in and out of the boardroom and how to protect yourself in an increasingly litigious environment.

£9.99
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Tales from the Glass Ceiling

Paperback Book

12-14% of UK businesses are majority owned by women, a statistic that shows both the great strides women have made in business in the past two decades and how many obstacles still remain in a culture where 90% of the top roles are held by men. Jo Haigh has worked for many years in corporate finance, and has experienced these obstacles, and overcome them.

£7.99
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The Business Rules

Paperback Book

The business world is awash with legal pitfalls as well as opportunities. If you own or run a small-to-medium sized business (with a turnover of up to 10 million) you cannot afford to miss out on this book.

£9.99
Jo Haigh - The Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting A New Business

The Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting A New Business

Paperback Book

Starting your own business is probably one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. Whilst you are unlikely to get it right from the start, learning from your mistakes is all part of the journey. Pulling on this vast experience, Jo shares her journey in a no holds barred basis. This book will help you avoid the crocodiles as you navigate across the choppy waters of self-employment and starting your very own company.

£9.99
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The Keys to The Boardroom

Paperback Book

Reaching the boardroom is the aspiration of most managers, but only a few achieve this goal. At the same time the director's role is under greater scrutiny than ever before. The Keys to the Boardroom will provide a map to the boardroom and help you to stay there.

£12.99
fds - A Directors Board Pack Downloadable Resource

A Directors Board Pack

Digital Download

Boards of directors come in all shapes and forms and one size doesn't fit all. Also, what was appropriate when you first set out on your business journey will certainly change as your organisation develops. It isn't complicated to achieve an ideal board, if you have a map and a clear guide of instructions for best practice.

fds's Directors Board Pack covers such topics as:

  • Understanding what a board meeting really is and how often they should be held
  • Who should sit at a board meeting and how long for
  • How to prepare a board agenda
  • What a board paper looks like and what it should include
  • What is the correct tone for a board meeting
  • How to test if your board is performing correctly
  • Plus much more (see preview for further info)
£69+VAT
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A Contract for Services – Non-Executive Director Agreements - Standard

Digital Download

A standard contract for services template that you can use for your individual needs. Getting the agreement skilfully drafted for the services of a NED is just as important for the NED in your board room, as it is for your executive director, and if you are the NED in question - it is essential.

£49+VAT
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An Executive Directors Service Contract - Standard

Digital Download

A standard service contract template is there for the relationship management of the executive director and the company, this is a vital step in managing this key partnership in your business.

£49+VAT
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Director's Induction Pack

Digital Download

On the day you are fortunate enough to become a director wouldn't it be great to hit the ground running and start your new role better prepared?

And if you are part of an existing board and want to ensure your new appointees are super effective from day one, then having a great induction plan will increase their chances.

This Director’s Induction Pack gives you a comprehensive tool kit that you can tailor to your company using our straightforward checklist and templates. The pack’s sections and attachments include:

  • Data gathering and general information sharing
  • The role of the director
  • Operations induction processes
  • Form of consent to act as a director and secretary
  • Conflict of interest disclose form for directors form
  • Directors personal information form
  • Reserved powers / managing risk in the boardroom attachment
£49+VAT
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Executive Chair Service Contract

Digital Download

The executive chair can be a stand alone role and may also incorporate the role of chief executive. The role is to provide top-level leadership of a business or non-profit entity. Each business will have their specific roles and responsibilities for its executive chair which is contingent on the size and nature of the business. Our standard template allows you to edit roles, duties and responsibilities as applicable. This executive chair service contract accompanies the executive service contract which should already be in place before the appointment.

£49+VAT
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How to Be an Effective Non-Executive Director - a Super NED! Pack

Digital Download

Being a Non-Executive Director is a dream many share, it can be hugely rewarding both personally and financially. However, whilst there are many aspirational people out there striving to reach this potential pinnacle of business success, there are an equal number who fail to make the grade even when they are lucky enough to secure the post.

Whilst we can’t make you fly in the literal sense, we can make you fly euphemistically to the top of the board.

By honing a set of extraordinary skills this guide will take you beyond the acceptable to the exceptional and help you to be instrumental in creating a world class board.

This pack covers topics such as:

  • Key qualities of an influential non-executive director
  • Pre-appointment due diligence
  • Sample non-exec job description
  • Fees
  • The role of the super NED – unwritten laws
  • Dealing with problems and knowing when to move on
  • And more
£99+VAT
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How to Build & Manage the Dream Advisory Board

Digital Download

Do you already have a formally appointed board of directors who are overwhelmed with the current workload or maybe they are simply too operational? It may be wise to implement an Advisory Board to improve your company performance. If you wish to find out how to do this with confidence purchase fds' standard guide and terms of reference.

£49+VAT
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Non-Executive Chair Service Contract

Digital Download

A non-executive chair is not an employee of the company and the role holder does not hold a management position. The role of the chair is to lead the board and receive plans and proposals from the CEO and manage the debate with the board. This standard contract outline the duties and responsibilities the non-executive chair will have within the company, as well as being fully editable to adjust to any specific requirements the company may have.

£49+VAT
No description available

Shareholders Agreement: Checklist & Standard Template

Digital Download

A shareholder agreement deals with two very distinct areas:

  1. What power do the shareholders wish to retain themselves i.e. not delegate to the directors?
  2. How shareholders will deal with their own shareholding

Shareholder agreements are unlike Articles of Association, which are the rules laid down by the shareholders as to how they will allow directors to run their business. Articles of Association are also in the public domain at Companies House and bind all directors and shareholders.

The shareholders agreement is a private document and only binds those parties that sign it (unless you have something called a Deed of Adherence).

Shareholder agreements are essential in times of shareholder upset, they can save time, money and upset, as they lay out clearly how shareholder issues will be dealt with.

Sadly, these “prenuptial type documents” are not often put in place before the shareholders approach the divorce court, yet with foresight and good planning, such documents can be put in place to ensure the shareholders avoid expensive and distracting costs and time by providing contractual processes for disputes.

Whilst we are comfortable with this template, you may like to take legal advice before completion to assist with any local nuances related to your specific position.

£25+VAT
fds - The Role of the Chair in a Private Company Downloadable Resource

The Role of the Chair in a Private Company - The Essential Handbook

Digital Download

Being the board chairman in a private company is a constant challenge.

Even for an experienced Non-Executive Director, picking up this particular mantel can be daunting, having as it does, a whole new series of issues to manage. If you are about to start down this particular road, or just want to hone your skills further, take a look at our practical guide written by Jo Haigh, our CEO who currently holds 11 chair roles.

This pack covers topics such as:

  • Key qualities of a great chair
  • Establishing an effective board of directors
  • Sample contract for services
  • Tips for chairing a productive board meeting
  • Directors duties
  • And more
£49+VAT

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We are here to support you on your business journey. If you, or your company require specialist business support, the fds Journey Planner can help point you in the right direction.

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