Your first board meeting

NEW directorships are nerve-racking enough for the experienced, never mind a first-appointment novice. No one wants to look stupid or "lose face" at the first board meeting. Nerves are natural and the best antidote is proper preparation.

Pre-meeting: housekeeping and homework

New-director formalities include observing due process: signing your "Consent To Act" form as director and filing your appointment with the relevant authorities. This may sound obvious but mistakes do happen. You also have to give notice of your interests in transactions, shareholdings, and your other boards and appointments in accordance with Section 156 of the Companies Act and other regulations.

Additionally, ensure that you have received a formal letter of appointment stating your duties, obligations and basis of remuneration, and adequate professio…