stjórnendaúttektir

Stjórnendaúttektir are evaluations of a company’s board of directors or of individual directors, conducted to assess the effectiveness of governance, leadership, and oversight. They can be carried out internally by the organisation itself or externally by independent consultants or audit committees, and may involve the board as a whole or specific directors.

The typical scope covers board composition and independence, roles of the chair and board committees, leadership and decision-making processes, and how the board oversees strategy, risk management, internal controls, and compliance. Other common areas include information flow to the board, meeting effectiveness, evaluation of the relationship with management, succession planning, and remuneration governance.

The process usually follows several stages: planning the assessment criteria and scope; data collection through self‑assessments, surveys of directors, interviews with directors and management, and review of governance documents; analysis and benchmarking against predefined standards or codes; and reporting of findings, with recommendations and an action plan. Follow-up measures ensure that identified improvements are implemented. Confidentiality and impartiality are often emphasized, especially in external evaluations.

Outcomes of a board evaluation can include clearer accountability, improved governance practices, targeted director development, and stronger board–management alignment. Challenges may include ensuring objectivity, managing costs, and addressing resistance to change.

In the Icelandic context, stjórnendaúttektir are part of broader corporate governance practices and may be encouraged or required by governance codes, especially for listed companies or state‑owned enterprises, to enhance board effectiveness and transparency.