By Jamie White – Head of Communications

Senior team members from Douglas Stafford have been on an advanced management and director training course this week, as the mystery shopping company continues to re-invest in its staff.

Managing Director Ben Sargeant and Operations Manager Paul Brown have been at the Portsmouth Business School for the programme which was designed in conjunction with the Institute of Directors and experienced board members.

As companies grow and expand, the demands on senior staff become ever greater, with many legal, financial, strategic and corporate issues arising.

The programme has been specifically designed for current and aspiring directors of small and medium-sized business.

The Value-Added Board offers a high quality learning environment ensuring attendees have the chance to share and engage, as well as receiving individual tailored guidance and feedback.

The three day course has included sessions on developing effective leadership skills and understanding the roles and responsibilities of board members, developing strategic awareness, planning for the future and creating a culture of innovation. The third day focused on developing financial understanding, identifying, assessing and managing the risks of a business.

The sessions have been led by experienced board directors and Portsmouth Business School academics, many of whom have commercial and boardroom experience in addition to their academic knowledge.