“The world needs
more razor
sharp directors.”

PAUL SMITH
FDI FOUNDER

THE BOARD FUTURIST

Paul is the award-winning author and founder of Future Directors. He's been described as a ‘board futurist’ and a leading thinker on where next for corporate governance.

He speaks regularly around the world on the themes of board performance, inclusive decision-making, governance technology and the concepts of the ‘Future Director’ and 'Future Boardroom'.

Paul established Future Directors in 2015 to help directors and boards (of all types) become fit for their future, and the world's. Since then, Future Directors has grown to become a global community providing training, education, consulting and a technology platform that helps equip boards for the ever-changing challenges of modern governance.

— Defining the Future Director

“Future Directors are shaping the board of the future by creating the conditions for effective stewardship, good decision-making and ultimately leaving things in a better place than they found them. “

Learn more about becoming a future director. Join an FDI program.

BOARDS FIT FOR THE FUTURE

The board of the future is made up of what we call Future Directors. Future Directors are those helping to create the conditions for effective stewardship and good decision-making. Easy, right?

The FDI platform was designed to support and cultivate Future Directors. It’s a learning-based community platform that is progressive and connected, without any of the hurdles that exist with old governance institutions. With a range of cutting edge, accessible and tech-enabled programs, and a connected community of like-minded directors, FDI is able to accelerate growth as a director both now and into the future. 

ARE YOU IN THE RIGHT SEAT AT THE RIGHT TABLE?

Paul is also an award-winning author with his first book ‘Right Seat Right Table: An outsider’s guide to securing the ideal board role’, and is currently working on his second, ‘Leave your ego at the door: a guide to impact & influence inside the boardroom’.

PAUL’S KEYNOTE TOPICS

Big topics driving the board of the future discussions and presentations

  • What is a Future Director and why it matters

  • The future of governance is now

  • How to build a high performing board of the future

  • Diversity & including in the modern boardroom

  • Cultivating Generational Intelligence

  • How to become a high-performance Board Director

  • Empowering the next generation of leaders

  • Getting into governance: is it too early to consider a board career

  • Effective decision-making

  • Finding your voice in the boardroom

FOLLOW & CONNECT WITH PAUL ON LINKEDIN: linkedin.com/in/futurepaulsmith