Potentia is delighted to invite senior finance professionals to this CPD accredited in-person event for those actively exploring a move into non-executive roles.

Join us for two panel discussions with experienced finance leaders who have made the transition from executive to NED. The first discussion will examine the realities of the NED role, including governance, board mindset and where first-time NEDs most commonly misunderstand the role. The second will focus on board readiness and personal positioning.

Speakers will also share their own journeys from executive to NED, offering insight into how senior finance professionals can approach this next step.

Attendees will receive 3 accredited CPD points. 

Moderator:

Karen Fox is a board search specialist at Azura, where she advises organisations on Chair and Non-Executive Director appointments. With more than a decade of experience, she has worked with clients ranging from FTSE 100 companies to privately owned businesses across a wide range of sectors, helping them build boards that reflect their values and support their long-term strategy. 

Karen is particularly passionate about improving diversity in the boardroom and has a strong track record of identifying exceptional talent that brings fresh perspectives and effective governance to organisations.

Speakers

Jeremy Townsend

Jeremy Townsend is the former Chief Financial Officer of Marks & Spencer plc and has held several senior finance roles, including Chief Financial Officer at Rentokil Initial plc and Group Finance Director at Mitchells & Butlers plc. Earlier in his career, he held a range of senior finance positions at J Sainsbury plc.

He currently serves as a non-executive director and Chair of the Audit & Risk Assurance Committee of NHS England, and as a trustee of Joseph Rowntree Foundation. He was previously a non-executive director at PZ Cussons plc, W Morrison Supermarkets plc and Galliford Try, and a trustee of parkrun Global.

Jeremy began his professional career at Ernst & Young LLP and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Zarin Patel

Zarin Patel is a chartered accountant who spent 16 years at KPMG followed by a nine-year period as Chief Financial Officer of the BBC. She was latterly Chief Operating Officer of The Grass Roots Group plc, a customer and employee engagement specialist.

Zarin is Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee at Pets at Home Group plc, and a non-executive director and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee at Hays plc.

She has previously been Senior Independent Director of Anglian Water Services Limited and a non-executive director of Post Office Limited, as well as an independent member of the Audit and Risk Committees of both HM Treasury and John Lewis Partnership. She was also a trustee of The National Trust and chair of its Audit Committee.

Caroline Stockmann

Caroline Stockmann is currently interim Chief Executive Officer of The Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD), having joined the Board as Treasurer in 2022. She was previously Chief Executive of the Association of Corporate Treasurers, and Chief Financial Officer of The British Council, the UK’s largest charity, and of Save the Children International. She has 30 years’ experience in senior finance, commercial and strategic roles at commercial organisations including Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Cadbury Schweppes, Granada and Unilever/Bestfoods.

She has held several non-executive roles, including extensive involvement in the not-for-profit sector. She is currently a Board member of VIVID Housing, Chair of Kent Catholic Schools’ Partnership, Chair of the SONIA Stakeholder Advisory Group for the Bank of England and Chair of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama Trust Board. She has previously sat on the Boards of Oxfam International and The Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Caroline trained with KPMG and is a Fellow (FCA) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW). She has an ICAEW Diploma in Charity Accounting.

Event Details:

Date: Tuesday 30 June 2026 

Time: 5.30pm – 8.30pm 

Location: Cannongate House, 62–64 Cannon Street, London, EC4N 6AE

We look forward to seeing you there!