## 50,000 connections facilitated

## Why hire a board advisor?

### What does a board advisor do?

Board advisors tackle specific challenges and provide expertise where leadership teams lack specific skills or experience. Through focused problem-solving, strategic insight, and objective feedback, they support stronger decision-making to drive startup growth.

### What are the benefits of hiring a board advisor?

Board advisors offer targeted expertise and experience on a flexible, dynamic basis. Providing knowledge, trusted guidance, and straight-talking insight, they help leadership teams fill capability gaps, navigate complexity, and make better decisions as the business evolves.

### When should you consider hiring a board advisor?

If you’re facing big decisions, rapid growth, or unfamiliar challenges, board advisory support will help. It’s a smart next step for startups who want experienced guidance, clearer thinking, and constructive challenge, without having to create complex board structures too early.

### Share your growth goals

Tell us what you’re building, the challenges you’re facing, and where you need support. We’ll understand your priorities, gaps in experience, and growth plans to identify the right advisory expertise.

01

### Match with experts

Explore curated matches, book intros, and start engaging with board advisors who can tackle challenges, provide specialist insight, and offer meaningful guidance from day one.

02

### Scale risk-free

Access board advisors from our vetted network, trained through the Connectd academy. Bring in targeted expertise when you need it, with flexible pro bono or paid placement to suit your requirements.

## Take a glimpse at the advisory talent powering our network.

### Advisors

#### Liz Berger

**Verified Expert** in Financial Management

Expertise
- Financial Operations
- Consulting
- Fintech

#### Paula Newton

**Verified Expert** in Strategy

Expertise
- Business Plan Writing
- R&D
- Board Governance

#### Damien Koziol

**Verified Expert** in Business Growth

Expertise
- Executive Coaching
- Business Consulting
- Strategic Planning

### Unclear strategy

Struggling to define direction or priorities? Board advisors bring external perspective to help test assumptions, sharpen focus, and align your leadership team around a clearer strategy.

### Complex decision-making

Facing decisions that feel high-risk or unfamiliar? A board advisor helps you think through options, weigh up trade-offs, and make informed choices, without carrying the pressure alone.

### Filling skill gaps

Not got the expertise in-house? Board advisors provide board-level insight, expert mentorship, and the knowledge to tackle challenges with practical, real-world advice.

### Leadership blind spots

Too close to the detail? Board advisors offer objective reflections and honest feedback, helping to reveal blind spots and strengthen decision-making at critical moments.

### Preparing for what's next

Planning your next stage of growth? Board advisory support helps you pressure-test plans, navigate growth, and prepare for future funding, expansion of your team, or formal governance structures.

## Frequently asked questions

### What’s the difference between a board advisor and a non-executive director?

A board advisor provides strategic guidance and constructive challenge without holding a formal board position or legal responsibilities.

A non-executive director, by contrast, is a statutory board member with governance duties and fiduciary obligations. Board advisors offer flexibility and insight without formal appointment.

### Are board advisors involved in day-to-day operations?

No. Board advisors are not involved in the day-to-day running of your business. Their role is to step back, provide perspective, and help founders and leadership teams think through challenges and make decisions more effectively.

### Will a board advisor work exclusively with our startup?

This depends on the advisor’s availability and preferences. Board advisors may support multiple businesses, but they are expected to declare any conflicts of interest and maintain confidentiality to ensure impartial, trusted advice.

### What costs are associated with joining the platform?

Connectd is free to join for startups. The only requirement is to complete an onboarding call with a member of our team to get full access to the platform.

### How do I find experts on the platform?

There are three core on-platform features which enable you to connect with talent: job postings, expert search, and AI recommendations. Our global events also provide opportunities to build relationships with experts.

### Where do you operate geographically?

Our members are located across 40+ countries, with strong representation in the UK and US. This enables you to access global expertise and cross-border collaboration, working with experts remotely if required.