Hello!

My name is Peter Crow, a board director and advisor devoted to helping boards and directors realise the full potential of the enterprises they govern.

My contributions, which are underpinned by expertise in governance, boardcraft, and strategic leadership; broad business and boardroom experience; and a strategic mindset, have proven invaluable to the fortunes of a wide range of enterprises, across five continents.

Trusted advisor and confidante

Since stepping away from an executive career in 2001, I have been fortunate to advise the leaders and boards of private, listed, and PE-controlled companies; family businesses; state-owned enterprises; and social and community agencies. Chairs, regulators, institutional investors and governments have sought my counsel too, for confidential advice on especially sensitive matters. 

My advice and facilitation has proven beneficial to help boards refine corporate purpose and strategy; establish fit-for-purpose governance frameworks; assess their effectiveness; improve boardroom dynamics and board-stakeholder interactions; mediate tensions and align effort; and drive great outcomes.

My modus? To understand, equip and empower, and then to get out of the way.
Every engagement is undertaken with discretion. Consequently, the identities of the boards, shareholders, institutions and governments who have sought counsel cannot be disclosed. 
For more information, check the QuarryGroup website. I am available globally.
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Educator

Sharing knowledge and building capability is invigorating, for it helps equip directors and boards in their role, and empower them to govern with impact. Here is a sampling of the public programmes and courses I have designed and delivered:
  • Company Directors' Course (Institute of Directors in New Zealand)
  • Executive MBA (ISM University of Management and Economics, Lithuania)
  • Director Development Programme (Hunt Partners, India)
  • Beyond the Boardroom (Institute of Directors, Kenya)
  • Effective Director Programme (Chartered Governance Institute, New Zealand)
  • Effective Director Course (Governance Institute of Australia)
  • High-Performing Board Member (Baltic Institute of Corporate Governance)
  • Boardcraft: Governing for impact (Wilberforce Foundation, New Zealand)

I also invited to tailor courses to suit specific needs and objectives, and welcome enquiries. ​

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Keynote speaker

I love telling stories! My keynote, guest lecture, panel member, and after-dinner contributions at business and academic conferences, industry seminars, award ceremonies and other events have been warmly received in Europe, Africa, Asia, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
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Commonly requested topics include:
  • The essence of high performing boards
  • The board's role in strategy and sustainable business success
  • Ensuring an effective board–CEO nexus
  • Insights from board/company failures
  • Emerging trends and practical insights from recent research
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Audience members have generously used terms such as 'eloquent', 'engaging', 'insightful', 'authoritative', and 'deft communicator' after hearing me. I prefer a more straightforward term: a storyteller.
To check my availability to ensure to the success of your event, contact me now.

Writings and published materials

My commitment to helping boards govern with impact also extends to written contributions. These include Musings (my blog, since 2012) and published articles and research papers.

From time to time, I am asked to write articles for trade journals, membership magazines and in-house newsletters. These are a joy to write; for they tend to be topical and practical. Do contact me if you would like me to prepare an article.

Boardcraft

I am also working on a book! The topic will come as little surprise: it is about boards, how they ply their craft, how they influence the performance of the company they govern, and how such influence can be achieved with confidence.
Boardcraft is not going to be a one–two–three guidebook, or a set of practical application notes. Rather, it will be discussion informed by insights from a life working with enterprises and many years of research.

Governance roles

Serving on boards provides a chance to put my knowledge and expertise to work. For several decades now, I have served on or chaired the boards of private and PE-controlled companies, family businesses, and social and community agencies.

Biography and Speaker introduction

One-page and intro-length summaries, available for download, if you wish:

After hours

I enjoy relaxing with family, reading history, and pursuing interests in classic cars and road cycling. This is Rosa, a 1951 MG Y saloon.
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What others say...

"Peter is a trustworthy authority on strategy, corporate governance and board practice. His guidance is well-considered and appropriate to the situation—even though it sometimes challenges conventional wisdom, which isn't a bad thing."
Dr Vince Murdoch, Company Director, Sydney
"I was amazed at the breadth and depth of his knowledge, and his ability to make it real for us, so we could govern well and get results. When will he be back?" 
Participant, Beyond the Boardroom masterclass, Nairobi
"Dr Crow's keynote set the tone for the entire conference. His stage presence, knowledge and delivery, and his storytelling, was a level beyond anything I'd ever heard before."
Participant, National Conference, Private Director Association, USA
"Peter's knowledge, insight and ability to get to the core of the issues at hand, and offer viable recommendations, is world-class."
Simon Whyte, Chair, ChildFund Alliance
"Peter is way ahead of the curve on governance; his insight is global."
Thomas Doorley III, Chairman, Boston
"Dr Crow lifted the scales that blinded us for so long. We'd been relying on 'best practice' but it didn't always work. Now we have a much better understanding of how the board can make a difference—especially the importance of behaviour."
Participant, BICG governance masterclass, Vilnius
"Peter is a rare individual who can think strategically, and drive down to the detail that delivers results rather than confusion. He listens and is articulate; offering fresh ideas and immensely valuable insights."
Wayne Norrie, Company Director, New Zealand
"Peter is an eloquent speaker; an incisive storyteller. His candid assessment of what it takes for boards to be effective was very reassuring. When he spoke, people listened."
Participant, Global Peter Drucker Forum, Vienna
"Peter captivated the entire room for a whole day. His different approaches, storytelling, and overall presence was fantastic."
Participant, Effective Director Programme, Chartered Governance Institute, New Zealand
"Attending this experience was nothing short of enlightening; transformative even. I can't stress enough how valuable this session was."
James Nabangi, Path to Perpetuity Forum, Nairobi
"Peter cut through the confusing board landscape, delivering a much-needed message very clearly. It was refreshing to hear such an authoritative speaker."
Participant, Tomorrow's Company Forum, London
"I cannot recommend Peter enough to boards seeking help with corporate governance or strategy. He ran the best director workshop I've ever been in."
John Holley, Independent Director, New Zealand
"When Peter lifted corporate governance from the morass of compliance and regulation, the value that boards can deliver became crystal clear."
Delegate, Boardroom Agenda Conference, Singapore
"Peter is a professional in all senses of the word. He is a person with integrity and an ability to identify meaningful solutions."
Pat Waite QSM JP, New Zealand
"Peter's knowledge of how boards actually work is exemplary; his facilitation of the IoD  Company Director Course is world-class."
Course participant, New Zealand