Nottingham Business School’s Business Leaders’ Podcast

Episode 75

Sarah Gregory – How joining a board helps leadership development

SUMMARY

Stepping into a non-executive board role can be one of the most powerful – and most overlooked – ways to accelerate leadership development.

In Episode 75 of the Business Leaders Podcast, BBC Deputy Chief People Officer Sarah Gregory explains why taking a seat on the board – often unpaid – offers emerging leaders a rare chance to stretch their skills, broaden their perspective and influence real change.

Drawing on her experience at the BBC, Swim England and NTU, Sarah explains to Visiting Honorary Professor Mike Sassi how non-exec positions helps leaders see how organisations really work – from long-term strategy and governance to risk, finance and culture.

INTRODUCTION to Sarah Gregory

• Sarah Gregory is Deputy Chief People Officer at the BBC.

• She is also a member of the Board of Governors at Nottingham Trent University, where she chairs both the Employment Policy Committee and the Remuneration Committee. She plays a significant role in shaping NTU’s staff policies, employment practices, and executive pay.

• Sarah was four years a non-executive director of Swim England, the national governing body for swimming

• She holds a first-class BSc in Physiology from the University of Sunderland and an MSc in Management from NTU’s Nottingham Business School.

• Since October 2020, she has been undertaking a part-time doctoral degree at NTU, with her research focused on social mobility and career progression for people from working-class backgrounds.

• Before joining the BBC, Sarah’s career spanned senior HR and business-improvement roles across retail, financial services, and technology companies – including Aviva, Boots UK and BT.

• Sarah is also a BBC Executive Coach and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

• Her reputation is as a thinker and advocate for inclusive career pathways.

LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS from Sarah Gregory

1. Leaders need to give people purpose

“Your people strategy is all about… how you make people excited about that mission?”

2. Leaders need to constantly test themselves

“Start by having an early stretch assignment, something really outside your comfort zone… “

3. Leaders must listen

“It’s so tempting to jump in… but you just have to let it all sink in. Really listen. It [gives you] a new context.”

4. Successful leaders contribute beyond their specialism

“[On the board of Swim England] I was surprised by how much encouragement there was to get out of your lane… property, finances, regulation… you could give a different point of view.”

5. Confidence grows through contribution, not perfection

“I felt so nervous [on joining the board of Swim England] … but a good chair welcomes you in and you build your confidence over time.”

6. Diversity of background strengthens boards and leadership teams

“Boards benefit from people with different life experiences… you might spot risks others have overlooked.”

7. Thoughtful leadership is more powerful than hurried leadership

“I’m more reflective now… thoughtful leadership is taking time, bringing different people in, being more considered.”

8. Being on a board allows you to step back and see the whole system, not just your own function

“You get this helicopter view… a wider awareness of how an organisation is run, governed, its responsibilities and direction.”

9. Mentoring staff gives your leadership more impact

“You get to coach… you get to inspire… you feel part of a big mission.”

10. The expectations of the next generation will reshape leadership

“Don’t carry assumptions of how we worked… the next generation might want something completely different.”

RELATED LINKS to Sarah Gregory

Find out more about Sarah Gregory…

• On her LinkedIn pages…

• On the Board of Governors section of NTU’s website…

• On the BBC website…

If you enjoyed this episode of the NBS Business Leaders’ Podcast with Sarah Gregory, listen to previous episodes with…

• The Global Head of Emerging Talent at Rolls Royce Ellie Long

• The former CEO of the Financial Ombudsman Service Caroline Wayman

• The co-founder of the Amazing If… company Sarah Ellis