From board-ready to trusted.
Become the person the board calls when the situation needs judgement under pressure — not just process.
From keeping the records in order to being the chair’s most trusted adviser.
You’re competent and respected. What’s left isn’t more technique — it’s influence, foresight and standing. The move is from executing governance to shaping it.
Leader is an ongoing advisory relationship, not a course — because trust is demonstrated over time, not awarded on completion. We work on the judgement, presence and discretion that make a board reach for you first.
Who this is for.
Senior & established.
A company secretary or governance professional ready to operate as a true board adviser.
Shaping, not servicing.
You want to influence the board agenda and the governance culture, not just administer them. Your skills are required for the major transactions and decisions.
Across the emerging agenda.
Navigating ESG, mandatory climate disclosure and AI governance as they reach the board.
Chairs & directors
Wanting a trusted, independent sounding board on governance. The CEO / chair will call you directly and your views and sound judgement are valued. Your thought leadership is widely recognised among peers.
What you'll work on.
Governance, risk & culture
Connecting governance to risk appetite, reputation and the issues that move an organisation.
Strategic counsel
Shaping the board agenda around what matters and framing the hard questions for the chair.
Counsel under pressure
Board disagreements, crises and regulator engagement, handled with respect, independence and discretion. Workable, practical solutions are proposed – getting the organisation out of a spot of difficulty.
The trusted-adviser relationship
Building the credibility, reliability and respect (and the low self-interest) that earn a board’s confidence.
The emerging agenda
ESG and mandatory climate-related disclosure, and governing the responsible adoption of AI.
Board effectiveness
Designing and running board evaluations, acting on findings, planning renewal and succession.
Developing others
Mentoring governance staff and lifting the standing of the function.
How it works.
Start with a conversation
A confidential, no-obligation consultation to understand your situation, your role and what looks right for you — now and in the future (your direction of travel).
A program built around you
We shape the focus, depth and rhythm around your real work — the matters in front of you, your board and your goals. No fixed syllabus. Confidentiality is guaranteed.
An ongoing relationship
Regular sessions on live situations, adjusted as you go — and continuing for as long as it’s useful to you.
What's included.
A free initial consultation
A personalised coaching plan
Professional guidance and support
Summaries of the key points discussed
Access to an innovative and proprietary AI agent (in development)
Access to curated governance materials (including a number of standard templates)
Anonymised results of any governance-related surveys undertaken by Governance in Action Pty Ltd (other than client-commissioned surveys)
Opportunities to network with other like-minded professionals
A post completion satisfaction survey
The board calls you first — for judgement, not just process. You shape the agenda before it’s set, and you’re across ESG, climate and AI before they ask. You’re not the person who simply keeps the minutes; you’re the person who helps shape the decision.
Coaching is provided by David Cantrick-Brooks. His career began in chartered accounting and led to senior company secretarial and governance roles in highly regulated, complex environments — the kind of judgement you can’t get from a textbook. Every engagement is tailored to the individual or small group. A high-level summary and overview of his profile is available on this site and on LinkedIn.
Common questions.
Is this a fixed program?
No — an ongoing advisory relationship, renewed by agreement.
Can you support a specific event — a handover, a conflict, a crisis?
Yes — succession, handover facilitation and conflict situations are covered.
I’m a director, not a company secretary.
Take on the additional duties and responsibilities with a sense of clarity and confidence, enlisting help as and when necessary.
Discuss your situation, confidentially.
A no-obligation 45-minute consultation, at no cost, to see whether this is the right fit.
Fees are tailored to the engagement and agreed in writing beforehand.