Five Board Insights from FTSE 350 Reports

Jan de Vries · 2026-05-11

If you're keeping an eye on how Europe's biggest companies run their boards, you might have noticed something interesting. The Better Boards Podcast recently dug into FTSE 350 annual reports and pulled out five key insights. Let's break them down in plain English, because board reviews don't have to be dry. ### What the Data Shows Researchers looked at how FTSE 350 firms evaluate their own boards. The big takeaway? Many are still stuck in a checkbox mentality. They go through the motions, but the reviews don't always spark real change. Here's what stood out: - **Insight 1:** Most companies focus on compliance over performance. They ask "Did we follow the rules?" instead of "Are we actually getting better?" - **Insight 2:** External facilitators are used less than you'd think. Only about 30% of boards bring in an outsider to run the review. - **Insight 3:** Feedback loops are weak. Even when boards identify issues, they rarely track whether those issues get fixed. - **Insight 4:** Diversity discussions are still surface-level. Companies mention diversity, but few tie it to concrete outcomes. - **Insight 5:** Time is a problem. Most reviews happen in a single meeting, leaving little room for deep conversation. > "The best board reviews don't just check boxes; they challenge assumptions and drive real improvement." — Jan de Vries ### Why This Matters for US Entrepreneurs You might be thinking, "I'm not running a FTSE 350 company." But here's the thing: the same patterns show up in startups, especially when you're scaling. If you're building a company in Europe—or thinking about it—these insights can save you headaches later. A good board review isn't about ticking boxes. It's about asking hard questions: Are we making smart decisions? Are we holding ourselves accountable? ### How to Apply These Lessons Start small. Even if your board is just you and a co-founder, schedule a quarterly review. Use these questions: - What went well in the last quarter? - What didn't, and why? - What one thing should we change? Make it a habit. And if you can, bring in someone neutral to facilitate. A fresh pair of eyes can spot blind spots you've missed. ### The Bottom Line Board reviews don't have to be boring or bureaucratic. They're a tool for growth. Whether you're at a FTSE 350 giant or a scrappy startup, the principles are the same: be honest, be specific, and follow through. That's how you build a board that actually helps you succeed. If you're curious about the original podcast, you can find it [here](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiugFBVV95cUxOZkZObnNPMFJoTHFSbXVCYTZuUUxhUnJIUllyYlJpZkQwdVZhWGtSQThGUGI4YTNORUVMbWJOVmlOdEtBTTJYRVZlV2NoRmFhSFRjOVpHOG9vSUc3MHpRUlZLT1oxTlJZSkNDYk1ObTBONFNNRGMyYTdnbldpY25fZHFKV0NIRHhyR2FqZzhHUlZ5UEpmVFhXaGo4ZzdGMFpPTFc4aVFXLTZzUW43Uzg3M1gzUHI4NElVWnc?oc=5) (nofollow). But honestly, the real value is in how you use these insights. So go ahead—start your own board review today.