Finance for Directors
Build better understanding of finance and financial decision-making at board level, ask the relevant inquisitive questions with confidence to build company value and navigate the corporate lifecycle.
At a glance
- Identify the key areas of shareholder value creation in your organisation.
- Develop insight into governing long-term competitive positioning while managing short-term stakeholder demands.
- Critically assess board-level responsibilities in creating company value.
- Subject area(s)
- Leadership, Board Directorship, Strategy
- Attendance
- Short course
- Fee
- £2,805 (in-person, including residential costs) + VAT
- Course length
- Two days
- Suitable for
- Board members (Chair, Senior Independent Director, Non-executive Director, Chief Financial Officer, Company Secretary, Chief Executive Officer) and senior executives seeking to join a board.
- Delivery
- In-person
Start dates
Looking for a date?
No problem. Get in touch with our team to be kept in the loop on future course dates.
Talk to our teamOverview
Directors and senior executives at the top of organisations need to have sound awareness of financial literacy. This programme is designed for current and future board members and those who work with them, who have a basic understanding of financial statements and the interrelationships between them.
It equips participants with the skills and capability to comprehensively understand and actively engage with advanced financial information, analysis and trends in their board strategic decisions and judgements.
Applied financial acumen can contribute to increasing shareholder value in both private and public companies. How those decisions need to evolve as the organisation’s governance and profile matures and adapts to new products, markets and through growth, transitional and organisational lifecycle becomes vital.
Are you able to evaluate financial information as part of interrogating historic, current and projected datasets and evidence related to strategic oversight? Are you able to ask the right questions in evaluating investment options and forecasting projections as realistic and achievable?
This programme includes real-world examples and offers an overview of the latest financial trends, best practice, appraisal tools and developments.
Key benefits
Gain confidence to understand and fully contribute to board discussions with a financial component.
Better interrogate and interpret financial datasets at board level and ask the relevant inquisitive questions with confidence.
£2,805 (in-person, including residential costs) + VAT
VAT
Standard rate VAT is applicable for UK businesses; overseas businesses based in the EU without a VAT number; and individuals based in the UK, EU, or rest of the world.
The programme is delivered as a workshop on two consecutive days, with interaction encouraged within the group. Each session contains a core taught element, consisting of presentations and relevant materials. The programme includes group activity, where participants are expected to work together to answer questions based on real-life case studies.
*After the face-to face workshop all attendees will have opportunity for an one-to-one personal mentoring (either at Henley or via Teams - max 1 hour) as a follow up with the course tutor.
Programme Content:
The module is delivered in nine sessions:
Session |
Content |
Assessing corporate and public performance |
Diagnosing where financial improvements can be made; how is the business financed; can shareholder value be improved by changing how the business is financed? Balancing financial risks and operating flexibility; should the financial structure change? |
Cost of capital |
Using stock market and ownership information in assessing cost of capital in private companies. Using social metrics to assess value contribution in public organisations. |
Investment appraisal |
How do we decide on the best way forward and key projects to create shareholder value? When might applying the standard rules result in poor decisions? Using real options and market indicators to value opportunity and flexibility of a venture or project. |
Making and reviewing your forecasts |
Forecasting the financial performance for a new, and/or growing, and/or transitioning business, and reviewing whether forecasts are realistic and achievable. |
Interpreting financial community and stock market views |
Understanding stock market measures such as PE, EPS, EV/EBITDA, dividend yield and total shareholder return. How does the financial community value companies, and how does this impact on what directors should do? Why are investors not rewarding the share price for what is being achieved? Why did share price go down after profits went up? What are investors expecting from directors? |
Creating shareholder value |
What is it and why is it important? The seven value drivers that create shareholder value. |
Corporate and organisation lifecycle |
Matching appropriate business and financial strategy to governance and structure developments. How does the company need to change and adapt as it moves through the lifecycle? e.g., launch, growth, equity, listing, maturity, renewal. Is moving through the cycle a bad thing? How to ride, decline and evolve. |
Financial transition events |
The key issues in buying another company, or disposing of a subsidiary, and ensuring how it is done successfully. |
Balancing financial and stakeholder needs |
Profits and ESG; Dealing with Shareholder Activists. |
Individual bookings
The following reductions are available on programmes fees
- 10% for Henley alumni*
- 10% for members of The Henley Partnership
Multiple bookings
The following discount is available on programme fees when multiple open programmes are booked. Payment is required in advance and this offer is subject to eligibility**.
- 10% 2-4 people
- 15% 5-9 people
- 20% 10+ people
Charities
A 50% discount is available to registered charities.
It is subject to eligibility and available at Henley Business School's discretion**
Please note:
* Alumni discount is available to Henley Business School alumni (as part of University of Reading) not to graduates of Henley Management College.
** Please contact us for eligibility criteria, availability and terms.
For more information
Please contact exec@henley.ac.uk
Lead tutor:
Programme Directors:
Set in sweeping parkland on the banks of the River Thames, Henley Business School's Greenlands campus provides an inspiring and reflective environment for focused work and study.
Why choose Henley?
(Financial Times Executive Education open enrolment programmes rankings 2023)
(Financial Times Executive Education 2023 - The Top 50 Schools [combining Custom and Open programmes ranking])
(Financial Times Executive Education programme rankings 2022)
For 75 years, Henley Business School has developed confident and resilient business leaders. Executive Education at Henley is:
- Practical: we combine academic rigour with a strong practical focus, so you can immediately apply what you have learned back in your organisation.
- Relevant: Henley faculty are experienced practitioners who can support you in exploring solutions to your organisation’s challenges.
- Collaborative: Open programmes enable you to expand your network, gain new perspectives and share ideas with peers from a range of backgrounds and sectors.
- Personal: deliberately small learning groups allow you to benefit from individual attention and a confidential environment. We encourage you to understand your unique strengths, leadership style, and areas for development.
Contact us
Open Programmes
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the programme, please contact our programme advisors.
Email: exec@henley.ac.ukTelephone: 01491 418767