Business Chief US and Canada November 2023 | Page 63

LEADERSHIP | BOARD COMMUNICATION

Given today ’ s unpredictable business environment , it can be easy to focus solely on core operational activities while neglecting effective communication .

But establishing a clear stream of communication with the board can often prove the difference between a company functioning effectively and slipping into a negative spiral .
It ’ s an ethos Gaurav Kapoor abides by in his role as Co-CEO of MetricStream , a worldleading independent provider of governance , risk and compliance products and solutions .
“ The relationship between leading executives and the board is critical to the success of an organisation ,” says Kapoor . “ Clear and direct communication fosters transparency , trust and accountability , ensuring the board is well-informed about the company ' s operations , challenges and performance .
“ At a company like ours , with a seasoned investor base and independent board members who are experts and operators , getting diverse perspectives from board members is crucial .
“ A transparent and streamlined communication channel also enables strategic alignment , informed decisionmaking and the ability to address risks and crises promptly , together as one team .”
Adapting to the new normal Kapoor ’ s professional career began in the 1990s at Citi , where he led a segment of the organisation dealing with fintech consumer payments .
In 2003 he co-founded MetricStream , armed with a mission to empower organisations to transform risk into a strategic advantage , accelerating responsible growth in the process .
Over the years , as CFO , COO , CMO and now joint-CEO , Kapoor has worked shoulderto-shoulder with leading risk , compliance , audit and cyber executives from some of the largest companies in the world .
He is well placed to judge , therefore , the extent to which board communication practices have evolved , particularly in recent times given the impact of COVID-19 on the workplace . “ Since companies had to transition to remote or hybrid
businesschief . com 63