Hello!I'm Peter Crow, a board director, advisor and educator whose life's work has been devoted to helping organisations realise their potential.
My contributions—which are founded on deep expertise (in corporate governance, strategy, and boardcraft, in particular); broad sector knowledge; innate curiosity; real-world experience; and an unfettered commitment to service—have proven invaluable to the fortunes of a wide range of enterprises, across five continents.
Trusted advisor and confidanteSince stepping away from an executive career in 2001, I have been fortunate to advise thousands of boards and directors, of private and listed companies, family firms, state-owned enterprises, government agencies and social enterprises. While each situation has been unique, my goal remains consistent: to build confidence and resilience, and to support the creation of value over the longer-term. Deep knowledge, broad commercial and board experience, innate curiosity, critical reasoning, and a strategic mindset inform my contributions.
The range of advice sought has included assistance to determine corporate purpose and update strategy; establish fit-for-purpose governance frameworks; assess board effectiveness; improve boardroom dynamics, and board–shareholder and board–management interactions; and more besides. Board chairs and CEOs have privately sought my counsel too, to explore especially sensitive matters.
While each situation has been unique, my goal has remained consistent: to build confidence and resilience, and to support the creation of value over the longer-term. Also, every engagement is conducted with discretion, but some are strictly confidential. Consequently, the identities of the boards, shareholder groups, institutions and governments who have sought counsel cannot be disclosed.
For more information, check the QuarryGroup website. I am available globally.
Director and board educationSharing knowledge and building capability is, I think, core to equipping directors and chairs, and empowering boards to govern with impact. Director development courses, masterclasses, and graduate programmes I've designed and/or delivered are many and varied. For example:
In addition to public courses delivered under the aegis of an institution, I also tailor courses to suit specific needs and objectives, and welcome enquiries.
Keynote talks and guest lecturesI have made keynote, panelist and after dinner contributions at business and academic conferences, industry seminars, award ceremonies and dinner events; across the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
Commonly requested topics include:
Note: The breadth of my general knowledge provides the credibility to accept invitations to discuss a wide range of business and social topics.
Audience members have generously used terms such as 'eloquent', 'engaging', 'insightful', 'authoritative', and 'deft communicator' to describe my contributions. I prefer a more straightforward term: a storyteller.
To learn more, and check my availability to contribute to the success of your event, contact me today.
Writings and published materialsMy commitment to helping boards around the world 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 get in touch if you would like me to prepare an article.
BoardcraftI am also working on a book! The topic will come as little surprise: it is about boards, their work, and their contributions to the long-term fortunes of the companies they govern.
My intention is to explore the basis for and role of boards in companies; how they ply their craft; how they might influence the performance of the company they are responsible for; and how such influence can be achieved with confidence. But it will not 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 (mainly companies and family firms, but also social enterprises) as a board director and chair, advisor and educator, and many years of research.
Governance rolesServing on boards is invigorating, for it provides a chance to put knowledge to work. My service over the past 25 years includes director, trustee and board chair appointments; of private and high-growth companies, family firms, and social enterprises:
Currently, I am available to consider one additional board appointment—ideally of an aspirational, export-oriented company based in Australia or New Zealand, and for which technology, strategy and innovation expertise is sought. Sectors of great interest include high-technology, primary production and processing, healthcare and professional services.
If you have a vacancy and think I might be worth consideration, get in touch.
CredentialsMy credentials include a doctorate in corporate governance and strategy (a study that explained how boards can influence company performance); a post-graduate diploma in business; a first in technology and management; chartered membership of the Institute of Directors; and, memberships of several international institutions including the International Corporate Governance Network, the European Institute for Advanced Studies in Management, and the Peter Drucker Society.
Biography and Speaker introductionOne-page and intro-length summaries, available for download, if you wish:
After hoursI 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 "Peter is way ahead of the curve on governance; his insight is global."
Thomas Doorley III, Chairman, Boston "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 "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, 10th 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 |