““Board Evaluation is not always a positive or helpful process – especially if it is just a “process”. Valerie came to us with several reassurances from clients that working with her would go far beyond a test of stewardship; and indeed it has been in addition a great assessment of creativity, productivity, team interaction, culture and values and so much more… Her huge experience with search, transactions and Board/Executive behaviour, combined with her professionalism and experience has led to perceptive and “tailored” questions being asked, and an astute assessment of the answers given by a very broad group of carefully chosen interviewees. The result has been thoughtful and pragmatic messaging on both what is going well, and also on what could be improved on (and, often, how). Her personal attention to the whole exercise from attending an initial Board meeting through to our meeting discussing the final report – and how to get the most out of it – has left extremely positive feelings with all of us on the Board. This is what Board Evaluation should be all about – true added value for the Board to build on.”

“The Schroder Real Estate Investment Trust (SREIT) Board appointed Stogdale St James to perform their Board evaluation. Valerie conducted a smooth, seamless and professional process, which included Board attendance and interviews with Board members and other stakeholders. I was pleased with Valerie’s comprehensive evaluation, which provided some useful pointers for further enhancement to how the Board operates. I would not hesitate in recommending Valerie for her external Board evaluation services.”

“We selected Stogdale St James after a thorough review of a number of alternative firms. Valerie Stogdale knows the Investment Company industry and conducted a very detailed review of the functioning of the board and our relationship with our key service providers. The feedback received was valuable and is being acted on by the board. This is something we will definitely repeat in the future.”

“BlackRock Throgmorton is a FTSE 250 investment trust whose Board worked with Valerie in late 2023/early 2024 on a Board evaluation. At our request, this review not only involved meetings with all Board members and key members of the BlackRock Investment Trust team but also a wider list of BlackRock personnel including those on the investment side. This well managed and extensive evaluation produced a rich pool of insights which were clearly and concisely summarised for the Board.”

“This was our first external review and we were more than happy with the result. Valerie was a pleasure to work with, very professional and the report was clear, on time and contained constructive recommendations.”

“Stogdale St James came to us recommended by several firms and Valerie undertook a thorough process of discussion, analysis and recommendation with all members of the Board. She also interviewed key members of our Manager team in order to present an integrated and well-rounded view of our effectiveness as well as the Board’s skills. Overall we were very pleased with her work in both evaluation and skills assessment.”

“The Temple Bar Investment Trust Board appointed Stogdale St James to carry out our Board assessment and we are pleased with our choice. Valerie conducted a very professional and thorough review taking input from the board and a range of other stakeholders. She also observed the Board and its committees as they worked through the business of preparing the Annual Report. Her insights were extremely helpful to the future development of the Board. The whole process was very far from the box-ticking exercise that I had half expected; it actually added real value.”

“Valerie Stogdale brings her extensive experience of working with very senior boardrooms across the world, but most importantly real judgement and pragmatism that makes her advice grounded and actionable, rather than yet another box ticking assessment.”

“I have known Valerie for decades and she has excelled throughout her career. I have no doubt that she is well placed to engage with Chairs and Directors effectively as they review the quality of debates at board level in the context of good governance and beyond.”

“Valerie Stogdale has had an impressive career in the search business including the financial services sector. She is extremely well placed to undertake board reviews, not least because she combines high emotional IQ with her deep experience of working with boards on corporate transactions and appointments.”

“With a number of relatively recent directors, the Board asked SSJ to do a full Chair/Board evaluation as well as a skills gap analysis, following a competitive process. Valerie conducted thorough stakeholder research, and came up with sensible suggestions, including some new insights, which are now being put to use. A discrete and thoughtful process.”