Strategic Advisory Boards

What is a Strategic Advisory Board?
A strategic advisory board is typically a group of external specialists and/or subject matter experts along with key stakeholders assembled to provide guidance and insights to an organisation's objectives, particularly on strategic matters.
Unlike a traditional board of directors (aka 'governance board'), a strategic advisory board does not have decision-making authority or legal responsibilities. Instead, it serves as a sounding board for the company’s decision-makers, offering options and recommendations on critical areas such as market trends, competitive positioning, business growth, and innovation.
Typically composed of seasoned professionals with diverse expertise, a strategic advisory board helps organisations navigate complex challenges, seize emerging opportunities, and refine long-term strategic goals. Its members may include industry leaders, former executives, or specialists in areas like technology, finance, marketing, or international business. Depending upon business needs, these strategic think tanks can also benefit from members with specialist backgrounds in areas such as health, biotech, energy, and engineering as an example.
Strategic advisory boards meet periodically, with sessions tailored to key strategic issues the company faces. The frequency of meetings and depth of involvement vary based on business needs. Members bring an external perspective, helping the business' decision-makers to remain agile and forward-thinking, especially in dynamic or competitive industries.
By drawing on the insights and experience of its advisory board members, an organisation can enhance its strategic planning process, identify emerging trends, and explore innovative solutions to build scale. Ultimately, a strategic advisory board can complement a governance board, ensuring the business stays aligned with long-term objectives and market realities.
A strategic advisory board is typically a group of external specialists and/or subject matter experts along with key stakeholders assembled to provide guidance and insights to an organisation's objectives, particularly on strategic matters.
Unlike a traditional board of directors (aka 'governance board'), a strategic advisory board does not have decision-making authority or legal responsibilities. Instead, it serves as a sounding board for the company’s decision-makers, offering options and recommendations on critical areas such as market trends, competitive positioning, business growth, and innovation.
Typically composed of seasoned professionals with diverse expertise, a strategic advisory board helps organisations navigate complex challenges, seize emerging opportunities, and refine long-term strategic goals. Its members may include industry leaders, former executives, or specialists in areas like technology, finance, marketing, or international business. Depending upon business needs, these strategic think tanks can also benefit from members with specialist backgrounds in areas such as health, biotech, energy, and engineering as an example.
Strategic advisory boards meet periodically, with sessions tailored to key strategic issues the company faces. The frequency of meetings and depth of involvement vary based on business needs. Members bring an external perspective, helping the business' decision-makers to remain agile and forward-thinking, especially in dynamic or competitive industries.
By drawing on the insights and experience of its advisory board members, an organisation can enhance its strategic planning process, identify emerging trends, and explore innovative solutions to build scale. Ultimately, a strategic advisory board can complement a governance board, ensuring the business stays aligned with long-term objectives and market realities.
Our Services

Our certified advisory board chair services can assist with refreshing an existing advisory board, establishing a new advisory board, and/or managing the full advisory board lifecycle. This includes:
- Analysing the business situation and challenges in relation to strategy formation and implementation,
- Exploring advisory board scope and priorities derived from the decision-maker's desired future state,
- Developing the right structure and approach as well as the necessary material to facilitate best practice,
- Establishing an advisory board that is a dedicated, high-performing, fit-for-purpose team; and,
- Reviewing performance and continuous improvement through a principles-led best practice framework.
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Ken has been invaluable in focussing our advisory board in relation to best practice frameworks. In developing a new charter and clear framework for providing advice we have maximised the impact of the time our board spends together in meetings and the quality of their advice for our management team.”
C. Darling, Manager Strategic Programs, NSW Rural Assistance Authority