Succession Planning

Succession Planning

Brief guide for clerks and governors

in further education colleges

Contents

Introduction

3

What is succession planning?

3

Good succession planning - What it is; What it is not

4

Why carry out succession planning?

5

What you can do as a governing board

7

What you can do as an individual governor

10

Conclusion

11

Author

Jo Dale, LSIS Associate

Publisher

Published by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS).

© LSIS 2011

Publication reference: LSIS243

This document is available to download at www.lsis.org.uk and www.fegovernance.org.uk

2

Succession Planning

Introduction

In a climate of significant financial and demographic change, the learning and skills sector is

facing challenging times and, with this, the need for excellent governance. Governors and senior

management teams need to be prepared for the future by ensuring that the organisation has

the best people to deliver the best results for all learners.

This brief guide explores a specialist and significant practice within the remit of the governing

body – that of succession planning. It looks at what succession planning is; how it contributes to

running an effective and successful organisation; where governors should be actively involved

and where they should be seeking assurance. The guide has some practical steps that you can

use within your own governing board. As a leader of your organisation, you need to be very clear

about your strategy and goals and explore all possible avenues to identify those individuals who

will provide the skills, knowledge, diversity and leadership necessary for your organisation.

This guide sets out to demystify succession planning and provide some clear suggestions on

how to build on the strategic work that is already being carried out in your organisation. Its

focus is on the governing board and the senior roles within your organisation. It serves as a

timely reminder of the importance of linking your strategic planning to the...