In a constantly evolving landscape for corporate governance the story of Van de Velde, a prominent lingerie and swimwear company, sheds light on the challenges and innovative solutions shaping modern businesses.
Central to navigating these complexities is Lore, Van de Velde's General Counsel, whose insights provide a fascinating glimpse into the company's strategic approach to governance, digital transformation in the boardroom with board management software and sustainability.
Van de Velde: A Tradition of Excellence and Innovation
Van de Velde prides itself on a heritage of quality and innovation. With Lore serving as General Counsel for the past eight years, her role is multifaceted encompassing legal advice, compliance, policy management, and serving as the Secretary to the Board of Directors. The company is driven by six core values emphasising quality in products and processes, long-term relationships with stakeholders and a relentless pursuit of sustainable solutions over quick wins. This ethos is the backbone of Van de Velde's success and its strategic responses to modern challenges.
Lore explains, "At Van de Velde, we are committed to not just maintaining but elevating the quality across our product lines and operational processes. Our approach has always been about forging lasting relationships and seeking out sustainable practices that benefit not only our bottom line but also the communities we engage with."
Our approach has always been about forging lasting relationships and seeking out sustainable practices that benefit not only our bottom line but also the communities we engage with.
Navigating Governance Challenges in a Dynamic World
One of the significant hurdles Lore outlines is the integration of external board members. These individuals are expected to bring critical perspectives and informed decisions to the company's strategy. Achieving this requires a comprehensive understanding of Van de Velde's operations, values, competitive landscape, and the broader economic and market context. Moreover, familiarising themselves with the diverse personalities and roles within the board is essential for effective governance.
"The integration of external board members poses a unique challenge," Lore states. "They need to critically understand everything from Van de Velde’s financials and historical context to our core values and the current market dynamics. It’s about ensuring they can effectively contribute to our strategic decisions and governance."
As the corporate world becomes increasingly digital and regulatory landscapes grow more complex, Van de Velde's board members are tasked with mastering and applying a wide range of subjects to the company's strategy. Lore highlights the importance of providing them with relevant, efficiently accessible information. To this end, Van de Velde invests continuously in software and personnel, ensuring robust reporting and strategic planning.
Govrn: Facilitating Governance Through Innovation
A pivotal tool in Van de Velde's adaptation to these challenges is Govrn, a platform that centralises document management and access for board members. Lore praises Govrn for its user-friendly interface, which requires no manual to navigate, and its role in the digitalisation of corporate governance. The platform not only simplifies document dissemination and consultation but also supports the digital signing of documents and virtual meetings. This aligns perfectly with Van de Velde's digital transformation efforts.
Discussing the impact of Govrn, Lore remarks, "Govrn has been instrumental in streamlining our governance processes. It provides a single, accessible location for all our governance documents, which is invaluable not just for ongoing management but also for onboarding new board members. It’s about efficiency and security, enhancing our capability to manage governance digitally."
Govrn has been instrumental in streamlining our governance processes. [...] It’s about efficiency and security, enhancing our capability to manage governance digitally.
Lore's endorsement of Govrn underscores its efficiency, security and continuous improvement through updates and AI integration. The platform stands out for its centralisation of critical board processes and documents and its adaptability to meet the evolving needs of businesses and their boards.
Van de Velde's journey, as shared by Lore, illustrates the importance of innovation, quality and sustainability in today's corporate governance. Through strategic investments in digital tools like Govrn and a commitment to excellence, Van de Velde navigates the complexities of the modern business world. Lore's insights offer valuable lessons for companies seeking to enhance their governance structures in an ever-changing landscape.
"In today's fast-evolving corporate environment, staying ahead means being adaptable, proactive, and informed. At Van de Velde, we embrace these challenges through continuous innovation and a steadfast commitment to our core values," Lore concludes, encapsulating the forward-thinking ethos at the heart of Van de Velde's operations.
