This spring, Bailey Fisher brought together Chairs, Non-Executive Directors, CEOs and CFOs from across the Cambridge ecosystem for a series of private dinners focused on leadership, governance and growth.
Hosted in Cambridge, the events created space for open, peer-led discussion among senior leaders navigating the challenges of scaling innovation-led businesses.
Board Dinner | 11 March | The Orator
We were delighted to host our latest Board Dinner alongside Charlie Fletcher and the team at Mishcon de Reya.
The evening brought together a select group of Chairs and Non-Executive Directors for a lively and thought-provoking discussion on board effectiveness.
Key themes included:
- What defines an effective Board
- How to evaluate Board performance
- How Boards are evolving
- The role of technology in governance
- Maximising the contribution of Non-Executive Directors
A clear takeaway was the shift from governance-heavy Boards to those that actively support and challenge executive teams, leveraging the experience around the table in a more strategic way.
Leadership Dinner | 18 March | Cambridge
We were delighted to host our Leadership Dinner, bringing together founders and senior leaders for an open and engaging discussion on board effectiveness in scaling businesses.
A big thank you to our co-hosts Zickie Lim and James Foster, and to our guest speaker Dr Robert Swann for sharing thoughtful and practical insights.
One point that strongly resonated — and echoed throughout the discussion — was that when investors say “we invest in teams”, they are often looking beyond individuals to robust governance and management systems that ensure plans are delivered.
Themes explored included:
- The importance of independence at Board level, particularly the role of the Chair
- Managing differing investor perspectives constructively
- Creating Board dynamics that encourage challenge, not just reporting
- Ensuring Board meetings are forums for decision-making, not monologues
The conversation highlighted a common challenge for scaling businesses: translating strong governance principles into consistent, effective practice.
CFO Dinner | 25 March | The Orator
We closed the series with our CFO Dinner, focused on one of the key challenges facing finance leaders in 2026: raising capital.
A big thank you to Ross Goodwin from Salica Investments for sharing his perspectives, particularly on the role of venture debt.
His “scaffolding” analogy provided a clear and practical framework:
put it up too early and it raises questions; too late and you risk missing the support when it’s most needed.
This sparked an open and honest discussion, with CFOs sharing real-world experiences and challenges. The level of engagement around the table made for a particularly valuable evening.
We would also like to thank our co-hosts Zickie Lim from Mills & Reeve and Paul Cooper from CFGI UK for helping to shape and host the discussion.
Building a Leadership Community
Across all three events, a consistent theme emerged: the value of bringing together leaders facing similar challenges in a trusted, peer environment.
From Board composition and governance to capital strategy, the discussions reflected the increasing complexity of scaling businesses in the tech and life sciences sectors — and the importance of experienced, well-balanced leadership teams.
As one attendee noted, the real challenge now lies in turning insight into consistent practice — something many growing businesses continue to navigate.
We would like to thank all of our delegates and partners for their openness and contribution. We look forward to continuing these conversations at future Bailey Fisher leadership events.
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