Getting the Chair/CEO Dynamic Right: The Most Consequential Relationship in Your Organisation

Better Boards is pleased to present this session in partnership with Fiona Allan, independent advisor to the cultural and not-for-profit sector, and author of the Arts Council England guidance Strengthening Chair/Chief Executive Practice in the Arts and Cultural Sector.

The Chair/CEO relationship sits at the heart of every organisation’s governance — yet it is too often left to chemistry, goodwill and luck. This session draws on feedback from over 50 chairs and CEOs, and from Fiona’s own experience across four CEO and five chair roles, to explore why this relationship matters so much and what boards can actively do to make it work.

In this session Fiona will:

• explain why the Chair/CEO relationship is a governance system, not just a personal dynamic
• identify the most common points of failure — from blurred boundaries to avoided conversations
• explore what good looks like from both sides of the relationship
• share practical scaffolding that any organisation can put in place, regardless of size or resources
• address the particular challenges of resetting a long-standing or difficult relationship

Essential viewing for chairs, CEOs and directors committed to building and maintaining a successful leadership strategy for their organisation.

About the Presenter

Fiona Allan is an international cultural leader and independent advisor with extensive experience across both executive and governance roles. As CEO she has led Opera Australia, Birmingham Hippodrome, Curve Leicester and Sydney Film Festival. As Chair she has stewarded organisations including UK Theatre, The Space digital agency, West Midlands tourism board and Hayes Theatre Co in Sydney. She now works with not-for-profit and purpose-led boards and senior executives on governance, strategy and leadership — mentoring first-time chairs and CEOs, facilitating board development, and providing strategic advice, especially for organisations in transition. She is the author of Strengthening Chair/Chief Executive Practice in the Arts and Cultural Sector, commissioned by Arts Council England in partnership with Clore Leadership and the Cultural Governance Alliance, published in March 2026.

Pricing

Included when you join BoardWise.
(Plus ongoing access to the webinar, on BoardWise, for as long as you are a member)