Owner-managed and founder-led businesses regularly face decisions that stretch the experience available within their teams: entering a new market, securing financing, planning succession or transforming operations.

welcomes expressions of interest from experienced professionals who can provide relevant expertise, practical perspective and candid, independent challenge to an SME owner or CEO.

This is an Evergreen Expression of Interest, not an advertisement for a current vacancy or advisory appointment.

• Executives, former business owners and senior specialists with demonstrated expertise in growth, financing, operations, technology, people, succession or transformation.
• Professionals who can adapt their experience to the resources and operating realities of an owner-managed business.
• Experienced advisers interested in serving individually or within a small advisory group.
• Professionals with the experience to chair an advisory group and encourage productive discussion.

Professionals based in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom may register.

Depending on the mandate, advisers may help an owner or CEO examine strategic and operational decisions by:

• Understanding the business, its objectives and constraints before offering recommendations.
• Testing assumptions and identifying practical alternatives.
• Explaining the evidence, trade-offs and limitations behind their advice.
• Challenging candidly and respectfully while leaving decisions with the authorised decision-maker.
• Preparing thoroughly for meetings and following through on agreed contributions.
• Maintaining confidentiality and declaring potential conflicts of interest.
• Working constructively with other advisers while allowing differing views to be heard.

Advisory appointments provide non-binding recommendations. They do not, by themselves, confer the authority of a statutory director or responsibility for managing the business.

There is no single career route into this role. We look for specific examples of sound judgement, useful advice and contribution to consequential business decisions.

A senior title alone is insufficient. Relevant experience must translate into practical advice suited to the enterprise’s circumstances.

Qualities we value include clear thinking and communication, independent judgement, candour delivered with tact, reliable preparation, openness to contrary evidence and an understanding of the limits of one’s expertise.

Applicants interested in chairing an advisory group should also demonstrate the ability to set focused agendas, balance participation and manage disagreement.

The enterprise pays appointed advisers for their agreed contribution.Remuneration is established for each mandate according to expertise, preparation, time commitment and responsibilities. Arrangements may include retainers, meeting fees or time-based fees.

Advisers do not pay to occupy an advisory seat. This differs from the separate CEO Peer Advisory / Mastermind programme, where members pay to participate.

Select“I’m interested”to submit your résumé and professional information through ’s Talent Registration form.

Following initial review, a curator may invite you to provide further information and undertake the RutherfordINTEL Assessment. Assessment findings are considered alongside your experience, achievements, objectives and suitability for particular mandates.

Registration is not admission. Progression and membership remain subject to curator review.

Registering does not guarantee membership, representation, an introduction or an advisory appointment.