FAQs

1. What is The 1,000 Club?

The 1,000 Club is the new sister service to The Board Directory from The 350 Club. It offers high-level connections and insight across the board market from the best non-executive headhunters and search firms, to leading PLC Chairs, Committee chairs and non-executives who shape board appointments in the UK and internationally, alongside leading law and technology firms and a distinguished cohort of leaders, board members and professional services partners. It is designed to accelerate the launch of a portfolio or non-executive career.

2. Who is The 1,000 Club for?

The Club is aimed at senior leaders looking to build board experience: executive committee members and partners from leading professional services firms seeking their first non-executive appointment or existing non-executive directors looking to expand their portfolio,.

3. How is The 1,000 Club different from The 350 Club?

The 350 Club is a closed community for board members and leaders already sitting on the boards of the world's largest listed and private companies, with members drawn from 95% of the FTSE 100 and 90% of the FTSE 250. The 1,000 Club is a separate, earlier-stage membership aimed at those building toward a non-executive career, though eligible 1,000 Club members are also given access to select 350 Club events and 350 Club members are also welcome to the join the 1,000 Club.

4. What events does The 1,000 Club run?

The Club runs a year-long, 12-event programme across 2027, opening with a launch drinks reception in January and closing with a drinks reception in November. Sessions are held under the Chatham House rule and take one of four forms: talks and Q&As with a Chair or major board headhunter, non-executive director case studies, half-day workshops on topics such as AI, cyber and quantum computing hosted by partner IBM, and (for eligible members) invitations to 350 Club events.

5. Who are the speakers and hosts?

Hosts include Karoline Vinsrygg (leader, UK board practice, Egon Zehnder), Ian Burke (Chair, Pets At Home Group PLC), Joyce Disco (Korn Ferry Board Practice), Ed Mason and Emily Blott (Board Consultants, Russell Reynolds Associates board practice), Sara Weller (non-executive director, BT Group, Lloyds Banking Group, United Utilities and Virgin Money), Zoe Clements (non-executive director across FTSE 250 and private equity boards), and IBM, which hosts the AI, cyber and quantum computing workshops.

6. What membership benefits come with The 1,000 Club, beyond the events?

Alongside the annual event series, membership includes: a Gold profile on The Board Directory; access to select 350 Club events (for eligible members); access to BoardBase, the Club's FTSE company and board research database; a coaching session with the Alexander Partnership; a review of your board CV with a senior non-executive headhunter; and an honest assessment of your chances of success in the board market. Supported introductions to board headhunters, board CV work and career narrative guidance are also available for an additional fee.

7. What is a Gold profile on The Board Directory, and why does it matter?

The Board Directory is the closed database where the world's leading board search firms find non-executive candidates, with over 80 board headhunters including Egon Zehnder, Heidrick & Struggles, Korn Ferry, Lygon Group, Odgers, Russell Reynolds, Spencer Stuart, Teneo and The MBS Group (among others). A Gold profile is the Directory's highest tier, giving members maximum visibility and the ability to be saved and upvoted by headhunter users.

8. What is BoardBase and how can it help my board search?

BoardBase is The 1,000 Club's research database, giving members news, financial and people information on FTSE companies, their boards and executive committees. Members can filter by sector to see when directors are due to time out of their roles, helping them identify and target the boards most likely to have an upcoming vacancy.

9. How much does The 1,000 Club cost?

Annual membership is £1,500 for Core or £3,000 for VIP, payable quarterly or annually. Existing members of other platforms are eligible for discounted rates. To avail yourself, email [email protected].

10. How do I join The 1,000 Club?

Prospective members can apply through The 1,000 Club's website or via the link here. Existing members of related communities such as The 350 Club and The Board Directory are also welcome to join, simply email [email protected] for further details.