NXDNW compass mark NXDNW
000° — True North

An independent voice for your boardroom.

You've built the business. Now build the board that keeps it growing safely — objective non-executive input for founders, family firms and scaling teams across the North West.

“Growth exposes gaps in governance long before it exposes gaps in strategy.”

Carl Bradshaw — Forshaw Associates Ltd
The Forshaw Model

Seven bearings for a board that holds its course.

A proprietary framework built from thirty years in boardrooms — used to bring structure, independence and rigour to owner-managed businesses.

000°

Focus

Keep the board's attention on the decisions that actually move the business.

051°

Oversight

Independent eyes on performance, risk and the blind spots day-to-day misses.

103°

Rigour

Challenge the plan in the boardroom before the market challenges it for you.

154°

Strategy

Turn ambition into a plan the whole board can be held to.

206°

Honesty

Straight talking, delivered with respect — even when it isn't what you want to hear.

257°

Accountability

Decisions with owners, deadlines and consequences attached.

309°

Wisdom

Thirty years of boardrooms, applied directly to yours.

Who this is for

Three kinds of business, one independent view.

N — Founder-led

The Founder

You've grown fast on instinct. Now the decisions are bigger, and you want a sounding board that isn't on the payroll or the payroll's committee.

SE — Family-owned

The Family Business Owner

Succession, fairness and long-term thinking need a voice in the room that isn't related to anyone at the table.

W — Board-ready

The Aspiring Director

You're ready for your first board or NED role and want a working knowledge of what good governance actually looks like from the inside.

M.ABM & IOD Member Nominated, Enterprise Nation Adviser Awards — 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2024 NED / Trustee / Board — BankAbility UK CIC · CAST · CFFM · AFC Bamber · Bury RUFC 30+ years across strategy, governance & operations
Free Download

The Boardroom Readiness Checklist

A short, practical checklist covering the questions an independent director would ask about your board before anyone else does. No jargon, no theory — just what to check before your next board meeting.

  • Where oversight is missing, and why it matters
  • The rigour test for any growth plan
  • Questions to bring to your next board meeting

Get the checklist

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Your details go straight to Carl Bradshaw and won't be shared.

Thanks — your checklist is on its way. If you'd rather talk it through first, book 15 minutes.
Bearing 360° — Back to true north

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