Jan Swinhoe
- President, Athletics Australia
- Chair, Mercer Superannuation Australia Limited
- Chair, IMB Community Foundation
- Non-Executive Director, IMB Bank
- Non-Executive Director, Australian Philanthropic Services
- Non-Executive Director, Swiss Re’s Property and Casualty
- Non-Executive Director, Swiss Re Life and Health
“Having a board portfolio career allows me to work on the things that really matter to me.”
Board experience
After finishing a 30-year career in the banking and superannuation sectors, Jan joined her first board at the end of 2011 and by the middle of 2014, she was on six boards.
What Jan bring to her board roles
“The things I thought I had to offer weren't necessarily what other people thought I had to offer. I was very lucky I had chairs and other executives who were able to support me and reviewed my CV. Some were quite brutal – they told me that what I thought I had to offer, was not what they saw as the value I could offer. I always thought the things people would value about me were the hard, objective, precision areas,” Jan said.
“The feedback I got was, ‘There are more people than you imagine who have those skills. What we liked about you was your sense of fairness, you are a team player, you make ethical decisions – we know you will do the right thing.'
"On a board those things really matter. Even if you are the Chair, you are one of 6, 7 or even 8, so you have to listen and compromise.”
What Jan is involved with sporting boards
“I had worked for financial institutions for 30 years, then I decided they were very specific, they were very banking or superannuation jobs, very one dimensional. I decided I wanted to branch out and have a more diversified career and flexibility around what I did and the timings around how I did them. I finished my executive career in 2010 and did my Company Directors’ course in 2011,” Jan said.
“Then I thought about what are the things that matter to me and what is important to me – those are superannuation, quality of life in older ages, athletics meant a lot to me, and sport, health and fitness. The other part was not for profit and philanthropy.
”Jan said she loves the opportunity to deal with a broad range of people.
“On the board of Athletics Australia we have former Olympians who give an insight into high performance, we have a senior partner from one of the big accounting firms, we have people who have a different range of skills - and the people I interface with, are anything from coaches, athletes, people who are just interested in athletics.
“I’ve had the opportunity to go to World Championships and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham - all these people you have looked up to, it's all part and parcel of the job. I have learnt a lot from the other directors and I’m a better person for it.”
Tips for aspiring directors
- Don’t rush into it.
- Volunteering on a board sub-committee is a great way to get started on your directorship journey.
- When you are on a board, listen, consult, compromise and reach a decision together.
- Make sure you know how to read a set of accounts and follow a forecast and ask questions about sustainability. The Start Line – Director Education Course will help you with that.
- Consider undertaking the full 5-day Australian Institute of Company Directors Course. It’s expensive, but worthwhile.