24 September 2026
Please scroll to the bottom of this page and complete the form to register your attendance.
We are pleased to be hosting our next AQ NED Exchange, bringing together non-executive directors and senior leaders for an afternoon focused on one of the most important, and often misunderstood or overlooked, aspects of professional life: networking.
Today, networking is often reduced to attending events, exchanging business cards or having a drink with people you may never speak to again. But effective networking is something much more valuable – building genuine, mutually beneficial relationships over time that create opportunities and impact.
We will be bringing together two perspectives on networking: the art of building genuine relationships and the value of being part of a professional network. Bringing these two sides together, the session will explore how NEDs and senior leaders can approach networking more intentionally.
Our first speakers, Lara Sonola (portfolio NED and interim transformation leader) and Helene Usherwood (AQ Partner), will explore what networking really means, whether we have lost sight of the relationship-building that sits at its heart, and the importance of networking particularly for NED roles. Moving beyond the traditional view of networking as attending events and exchanging contacts, they will share practical advice on how to build meaningful connections, network with purpose and make an impact when opportunities arise.
We will also hear from two professional networks with very different approaches and audiences – Board Racial Diversity UK, a charity network focused on achieving proportionate representation of individuals from Black and Asian backgrounds on not-for-profit boards across the UK, and Winmark, an international C-suite network that creates exceptional value for everyone involved and the societies they serve. They will discuss the benefits of being part of a professional network, what members can gain from their involvement and, importantly, how to get the most from your membership.
Whether you are an experienced NED with an established network or are looking to broaden your connections and develop new relationships, this session will offer practical ideas, honest perspectives and plenty of opportunity to connect with fellow NEDs and senior leaders.
