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VirtualNonExecs
VirtualNonExecs is a UK membership network for non-executive directors (NEDs), chairs and board advisors, founded by Ian Wright in 2019.
It connects members with companies, private equity and venture capital investors, family offices and founders looking for board members. Subscribing for access to posted board roles is free, and a paid Networker Pro upgrade adds a profile review, fee benchmarks and weekly board introductions. Organisations can use its HiringZone search service, which shortlists chairs, NEDs and fractional advisors from the network for a fixed fee agreed up front, and aims to produce a first shortlist in under five days. DealZone shares off-market capital raises and business sales with members. With Cranfield School of Management it offers the Non-Executive Directors Essentials Programme, an online, self-paced course of 8 modules and 24 short lessons covering governance and directors' duties, board finance, board effectiveness, the role of the chair, artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainability. It is stage one of the Cranfield NED pathway, awards a verified Cranfield digital badge on completion, starts on enrolment with no fixed dates, and access does not expire.
Membership prices and HiringZone fees are not published on its public pages. The Non-Executive Directors Essentials Programme costs £1,999 plus value added tax (VAT), or £1,499 plus VAT for Networker Pro members, and is provided by Cranfield Management Development Ltd, a subsidiary of Cranfield University. It states it has more than 30,000 members. Leonard Curtis, a professional services group, announced in November 2024 that it had acquired a majority stake. The company, Virtualnonexecs Limited, was incorporated in 2017 and took its current name in July 2019. Ian Wright is founder and chief executive, and Gary Cain is managing director.
- Delivery format
- Online
- Client type
- Both
- Seniority served
- Boards
Platform features
Community Platform
Networks & communities
Membership fee on request
- Who can join
- Open to all genders
- How to join
- Open to join
Hosts events, Online community
4.7
104
2019
13 (named team members)
Ratings last checked: 21 August 2026
Professional Coaching Credentials
None listed for this provider yet.
Training & Accreditations Offered
None listed for this provider yet.
Reviews
VirtualNonExecs has a Trustpilot rating of 4.7 out of 5 from 104 reviews. Reviews are written and hosted on Trustpilot, so we link to them rather than copying them here.
Read reviews on TrustpilotFrequently asked questions
How much does VirtualNonExecs cost?
Prices for Networker Pro and other paid memberships are not published on its public pages, and HiringZone uses a fixed fee agreed up front. Subscribing for access to posted board roles is free. The Non-Executive Directors Essentials Programme with Cranfield School of Management costs £1,999 plus value added tax (VAT), or £1,499 plus VAT for Networker Pro members.
What is the Non-Executive Directors Essentials Programme?
It is an online, self-paced course designed by Cranfield School of Management with VirtualNonExecs for current and aspiring non-executive directors in business, not-for-profit and public sector organisations. It has 8 modules and 24 short lessons, each module closing with a reflective exercise, and awards a verified Cranfield digital badge on completion. It is stage one of the Cranfield NED pathway, and the residential Non-Executive Directors' Programme at Cranfield is booked separately with Cranfield.
When does the Essentials Programme start?
There are no fixed dates or intakes. The full course opens as soon as enrolment is complete, and access does not expire.
Who leads VirtualNonExecs?
VirtualNonExecs' leadership includes Ian Wright, Gary Cain and Michael Critchley.
Does VirtualNonExecs have investor partnerships?
It is the board partner for the Aquis IPO Academy, finding non-executive directors and chairs for companies in the programme. Its website also lists investors such as Octopus, Foresight Group and Maven Capital Partners among organisations its members advise or that use the network.
Who owns VirtualNonExecs?
Leonard Curtis, a professional services group, announced on 7 November 2024 that it had acquired a majority stake in VirtualNonExecs. The VirtualNonExecs website does not mention the ownership.
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