By Amelia Conwell
Sitting at the back of the room, keeping quiet, and not drawing any attention to herself always felt natural to Kirsty-Marie Morris.
And when it came to putting herself forward for anything, Kirsty struggled to ignore the little voice in the back of her head trying to talk her out of it. That is until she discovered the UK Boardroom Apprentice programme.
When Kirsty came across the programme, she knew it was something she would be interested in.
“I’ve always been intrigued by how boards work and the difference they make to communities. When I was younger, I was on a community youth board which supported the local voice of young people in the area and gave grants out as well. So we had the opportunity to look and see how other boards worked and agencies that were working with young people.
“I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a board member who made a difference which supported change and positive impact in my community,” she said.
The 27-year-old aimed to demonstrate the importance of diversity as a crucial aspect for boards, as she noticed a lack of representation of people like herself in such positions.
“As a woman who comes from a limited educational background and someone who is neurodivergent, I have not seen someone like me on a board and I always wanted to become involved in a board role.
“I have a wide range of lived experience and a unique skill set with a passion to give back. For me giving back is not just a box ticking exercise it should be done responsibly and with commitment. ”
However, Kirsty’s lack of confidence threatened to stand in her way and prevent her from taking on the opportunity presented to her.
“I’m the poster girl for imposter syndrome, who also very nearly did talk herself out of applying for the UK Boardroom Apprentice as well. I submitted my application within the last few hours because that little voice in my head kept talking me out of it; telling me that I wasn’t good enough, but this programme has really changed that perception for me.”
Established by Eileen Mullan in 2017 Boardroom Apprentice is a unique board learning, development and placement programme which enables those who would like to serve on a public or third sector board to learn and gain the experience that they need to take that step.
It seeks to enable a wider diversity of individuals to play their part within boardrooms, allowing those without board experience to enhance their knowledge and understanding through in-depth learning and support.
Since its inception in 2017, the programme has seen 372 Boardroom Apprentices embark on their personal journey to serve on a public or third sector board.
After succeeding in her application, Kirsty was placed with the Regulator of Social Housing as her host board, an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Kirsty expressed a highly positive outlook regarding the work she was able to accomplish with the board: “They’ve really welcomed me with open arms and provided a safe seat at the table for me to learn in a way that builds my confidence as well. I’ve gone to committee meetings and attended additional Board opportunities. So they’ve really embraced and supported me, which was invaluable because I didn’t know anything about social housing at the beginning.
“Even when there have been acronyms flying around that I didn’t understand, they’ve been very helpful in guiding me through that which I’ve really appreciated.
“A safe seat at the table and crucial support from my Board Buddy has allowed me to find my voice and confidence, gave me insight into how the board operates and critical knowledge that is only gained through experience. This combined with engaging Learning Days, I have a good toolkit to go out and get my first board role.”
Kirsty has felt herself transform through the process, overcoming her nerves and allowing herself to fully take part in all aspects of the programme. One of Eileen Mullan’s mottos is to “get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” which Kirsty has wholeheartedly embraced.
“It has very much changed me. On the first day, when we walked in, I was very much the girl who automatically would sit at the back of the room and hope for the walls to swallow me up.
“Within six months I had become an entirely different person.
“I stood on a stand this year promoting the UK Boardroom Apprentice – I never thought I would go up and actively try and find people and get them to talk to me.
“I am very much a changed person. I’ve grown in confidence, my mindset has changed, and once you put yourself in that space of being uncomfortable, you learn so much more.”
The Birmingham native, now living in Derbyshire, is confident moving forward with her career and her ability to participate in a boardroom.
For anyone considering applying for the UK Boardroom Apprentice programme, but feel they are lacking the confidence to go through with their submission, Kirsty is full of encouragement:
“Don’t listen to the little voice in your head. You will learn things that you didn’t think you would ever learn about yourself and go on to make a bigger difference than you thought you would.
“Being around like-minded, driven people who are similar to you is also very refreshing because it’s not often that you come together with a group of people who will support you on those doubting days and will be your biggest champion when you can’t be your biggest champion yourself.”
The programme has not only transformed Kirsty’s self-perception but also supported her to take what she has learned into other aspects of her life.
“It’s not just that you learn how to be an effective board member, you learn so much more that you can transfer into different parts of your life. You won’t regret it.”
Applications for the programme are open to people of all ages, from 18+, and all backgrounds and abilities.