Patrick Dunne on What Makes Great Boards Work
- Jul 5
- 2 min read
Patrick Dunne, author of Boards, joins host Alberto Lidji on the Do One Better Podcast for a timely conversation on how boards can become more effective, more agile and more valuable.
Drawing on the third edition of his book Boards, Patrick explores how governance is changing in a world shaped by AI, faster decision making, dynamic strategy, rising uncertainty and more complex risk. He looks at the growing role of AI in boardrooms, from summarising papers and tracking regulatory change to supporting better decisions, while also considering where human judgement remains essential.
Patrick also discusses the increasing importance of subcommittees, the value of bringing domain experts and next generation voices into governance, and why advisory boards may not always be the best way to access external insight. He reflects on trustee remuneration, generational diversity and the need for boards to move beyond traditional meeting formats.
A highly practical episode for board members, chairs, chief executives, trustees, philanthropists and social entrepreneurs who want to strengthen governance and make better decisions.
About Patrick Dunne OBE
Patrick Dunne is an experienced Chair with extensive experience of working with boards in Europe, Africa, Asia and North America. Currently Chair of board consultancy Boardelta and the charities the Royal Voluntary Service and ESSA- Education Sub Saharan Africa.
Executive experience with Air Products and FTSE100 3i Group plc where he was Communications Director, a member of its Operating Committee and Chair of its Operational Risk forum.
Author of the award-winning “Boards” and co-author of "Five Generations at Work", a member of the Higgs Review and Visiting Professor at Cranfield University.
He also has extensive experience of developing social enterprises, most notably with Leap Confronting Conflict, the EY Foundation and Warwick in Africa.
Patrick was awarded an OBE in the Kings Honours list in 2023 for services to charity and philanthropy in Africa and the UK.