Event

NEDworking: September networking event for Chairs and NEDs

Will Sealy 11 Aug 2025

Picture of NEDworking panel speakers speaking to audience at Leathwaite

Leathwaite’s Board Practice hosts regular events to bring together Chairs and NEDs from multiple industry sectors to share their learnings and journeys. The Next event will be on Thursday 11th September 2025.

Whether you are an established NED or a senior executive looking to build your portfolio, join us for an informal and inspiring evening of networking and knowledge sharing.

Guest speakers:

Elizabeth Fullerton-Rome – INED, experienced Board Chair and Chair of Risk, Audit and Remuneration committees.
Samantha Barber – Experienced Chair, Non-Executive Director, Strategic Adviser and Executive Coach.
Mary O’Connor – Chair, Ascot Lloyd | NED, Carne Group
Andrew Butcher – INED and chair of Risk committee, Senior global banking executive

If you are interested in joining us please email: [email protected].

Please note, these events are strictly invite only.

Guest speakers

Elizabeth Fullerton-Rome

Elizabeth is an experienced Independent Non-Executive Director (INED), Board Chair, and committee chair (Risk, Audit, Remuneration) with a track record across highly regulated and complex international organisations in financial services, the public sector, and the charitable sector.

A qualified chartered accountant and Fellow of the ICAEW, she brings cross-sector expertise in strategy, culture, finance, technology, business transformation, cyber security, operational resilience, corporate governance, audit, risk management, regulatory compliance, and business continuity. She currently chairs the Risk Committee at Great American International Insurance (UK) and the Audit & Risk Committee at Hampden Agencies Limited, and serves on Hampden Capital’s Conflicts Committee.

Her previous roles include Independent Chair of Vocalink (a Mastercard company), NED for HMRC and the Taxation Disciplinary Board, and Treasurer of the Walpole Society. With executive experience spanning start-ups to global multinationals in the UK, US, Europe, Australia, South Africa, and China, she continues to mentor leaders and fundraises for charities—including Save the Rhino—by running 1,000 miles annually.

Samantha Barber

Samantha Barber specialises in leading on non financial risk in the boardroom, as well as coaching and advising senior executives in a range of organisations. She combines extensive board and C-suite experience with a unique mindset and perspective, shaped by an international education and business career.

Samantha brings creative thinking and a sharp focus to corporate strategy, including leadership and performance, governance, non-financial risk, investor and stakeholder relations, remuneration, c-suite succession planning, digital transformation, sustainability, culture and people.

Mary O’Connor

Mary O’Connor is a distinguished Non-Executive Director and Audit and Risk Committee Chair with over 30 years of experience in financial and professional services. She has held roles such as CRO, CEO, and various board-level positions, working with public and private equity-backed enterprises and a Big 4 accounting firm.

Mary began her career as a trial attorney with the US Attorney’s office before transitioning to senior positions in large US and UK legal firms. At the Financial Services Authority (now FCA), she played a pivotal role in establishing the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR).

Currently, Mary chairs the Audit and Risk Committees of Carne and Ascot Lloyd. She has also served on the board of Charity Bank. At KPMG UK, she was the first CRO, transforming risk, control, governance, and audit quality frameworks, and later became CEO of the non-audit business. At Willis Towers Watson, she improved governance and risk processes, was promoted to lead major global businesses and drove significant revenue growth.

Mary excels in complex regulated environments, using her technical expertise and leadership skills to drive successful change. She is passionate about client-focused outcomes and promoting diverse talent.

Andrew Butcher

Andrew Butcher is an independent non-executive director and senior global banking executive with over 30 years’ experience at major US institutions in Hong Kong, Singapore, London and Tokyo.

His executive experience is in technology, operations, corporate functions and business management, most recently serving as Managing Director and Head of Technology and Operations for EMEA at Bank of America. He has previously served as a country Chief Executive for JP Morgan in Asia and has led organisations of up to 25,000 people with multi-billion dollar budgets.

Andrew is currently an Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Risk Committee at Euroclear, a major financial market infrastructure based in Brussels providing post-trade services globally and holding €41 trillion in client assets. He also serves on the Nominations & Governance and Remuneration Committees and was previously a member of the Audit & Compliance Committee.

Will Sealy

Will brings a strategy‑led, analytically rigorous approach to executive search. He began his career in a boutique strategy consultancy, advising leadership teams on growth and transformation, before joining Leathwaite in 2023. A core member of the practice, he plays a…

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