Consult Red is a technology consulting and engineering firm which offers a wide range of services to its clients, including product development, system integration, IoT solutions, and digital transformation. The company specialises in embedded software and hardware, connectivity, and cloud services, and has a particular focus on the Internet of Things (IoT) and industrial automation.

Consult Red works with clients across a variety of industries, including healthcare, consumer electronics, energy, and transportation, among others. The company's clients range from startups to large multinational corporations, and Consult Red works closely with each client to understand their unique needs and develop customised solutions that meet their goals.

The company's approach is highly collaborative, and it places a strong emphasis on building long-term relationships with its clients. Its c. 300 software engineers develop products for world-leading TV companies such as Sky, Comcast, Liberty Global. It also supported the 2022 launch of SkyGlass TV.

With its innovative focus on IoT and industrial automation, combined with its collaborative approach and highly skilled team, Consult Red has proven to be a valuable partner for organisations looking to leverage technology to drive innovation and growth. Technology developed by its team is in over 30 million homes worldwide and Consult Red is on a strong trajectory.

Consult Red seeks a Board Observer who they will invite for board meetings for one year. The Board Observer will learn from exposure to strategic conversations, business challenges, leadership behaviour and corporate governance. They will be provided with board papers ahead of the meetings just as with a non-executive director. The purpose of this position is for Consult Red to help provide a career-enhancing opportunity to someone who likely suffers from conscious or unconscious bias in their careers. 

The Chair will spend time with the new Board Observer in the first few weeks to give context on how the board works, key topics, board papers and any other relevant information. Each director, executive and non-executive, will meet with the Board Observer at least once in the period to answer their questions, mentor them and understand how they are learning through the experience.

The Board Observer will be expected to do their own research on board roles and governance. The successful candidate will also be expected to attend all board meetings and take attendance as seriously as any other director. Their attendance can be via video call or in person.

Consult Red is looking for someone to join its Board as a Board Observer, for whom this could be an opportunity to gain first-hand board experience, without the legal responsibilities of being a board member.

The ideal candidate is someone with middle to senior management experience who aspires to gain experience in order to sit on boards. Consult Red is open to candidates from any sector or function. However, inviting someone external to the business and not in the sector removes any conflict of interests.

Raghu Venkatesam, CEO
Paul Stevenson, CFO
Stuart Griffin, COO and Founder
Andy Stewart, NED, ex-CEO and Founder 
Karen Bach, Chair
Shane McCarthy, NED

This role is unpaid; the purpose is board-level exposure and experience. The Board Observer will be expected to sign a NDA before the first meeting they attend and to adhere to that confidentiality. An Observer will not have any director/legal responsibility, will not have the right to vote on board topics and may be asked to not attend a meeting (or part of a meeting) if a topic is deemed sensitive or highly confidential. The Observer will not be an employee of the business. The existing employer of the Observer will need to allow them to attend Board meetings during normal working hours.

Board Observer attendance can be via video call or in person in Shipley, Yorkshire. Should any attendance be mandatory, reasonable travel expenses may be covered.