The Independent Director

Gerry Brown is a businessman of great experience and exceptional incite. His understanding of the critical role of the independent director is unusually perceptive. Professors are frequently asked to serve as independent directors by a wide array of large , small and aggressively growing corporations. With its 11 cases and 8 themes, The Independent Director will be a great help for anyone needing to understand the pressures of this role and its important responsibilities. I believe this book will be an excellent background resource for case studies in schools of Business, Law and Health Sciences , as well as Public Policy and Management Programmes . It will be on the required reading list for my Health Policy course in the School of Public Health next year.

This is an important and impressive book. It seems amazing that such a pivotal role has rarely been covered in the is way. As Gerry articulates, to look at the role solely as an act of governance is to fundamentally diminish its key function: to ensure that both executive and non-executive directors are focused on creating shareholder value. All too often in the work we do with boards, the remit of the independent director is, at beast, undervalued – gerry is not only educating the reader but creating a debate that can only lead to better-quality board performance, whether that is within the context of a private equity-backed or publicly traded company.

A fascinating and honest account of the opportunities and pitfalls of life as an Independent Director. Gerry Brown has a unique blend of executive and non-executive experience and his book brims with authority and useful tips. For those of us on Boards, The Independent Director is a must read.

Gerry’s wealth of experience and wise counsel for existing and aspiring independent directors was a great mix of guiding principles and practical advice. having served on boards in the US, UK, Europe and Japan, gerry is perfectly placed to provide globally applicable advice on the theme.

I thought there was no justification for another business book, least of all on corporate governance. I was wrong. Gerry Brown offers a rare mixture, deep thinking combined with practical experience, tested and conveyed via a rich array of eclectic corporate cultures and against different business cycles. Whether setting out as an independent director or if you are a seasoned traveller this book is a must read

This book is a lively and thought provoking read which rightly acknowledges the increasingly central role of the independent director on company boards. Drawing on numerous real-life case studies, it demonstrate the variety and complexity of the dilemmas faced by the independent directors.

A comprehensive and practical review of issues facing Independent Directors in today’s ever increasingly complex business environment. The stage is set perfectly for penetrating discussions of difficulties and nuances surrounding decisions Independent Directors must make. Provocative, educational, opinionated, and entertaining – a must read!

With the ongoing controversy about corporate governance, you would expect there to be an excellent book on the role of non-executive directors. Now, thankfully, there is.The product is an account of the how, what and why of being a non-executive director that should be compulsory reading: and not just for non-executives. This book should be on every MBA reading list.

Gerry Brown has it right. There is little that has been written for independent directors on the affirmative side. Rather than just playing defence to prevent shareholder lawsuits, minimize liability, or, above all, follow the governance processes, Gerry Brown has something novel to offer: How about a director that moves the company forward? The book is a welcome addition to the resources for independent directors and provides boards, and directors with the tools and insights they need to contribute to business success.

Gerry Brown is a businessman of great experience and exceptional incite. His understanding of the critical role of the independent director is unusually perceptive. Professors are frequently asked to serve as independent directors by a wide array of large , small and aggressively growing corporations. With its 11 cases and 8 themes, The Independent Director will be a great help for anyone needing to understand the pressures of this role and its important responsibilities. I believe this book will be an excellent background resource for case studies in schools of Business, Law and Health Sciences , as well as Public Policy and Management Programmes . It will be on the required reading list for my Health Policy course in the School of Public Health next year.