Historically, the chair of the board of directors filled a procedural and ceremonial role. This was a low bar focusing on the chair's role in meetings.
Today the chair is seen as vital for effective corporate governance. They are required to lead the board in fulfilling its governance duties and responsibilities. In fact, the chair was considered by a It is crucial for chairs to fulfil their roles effectively. A failure to do so may result in an ineffective board and a poorly performing company.
Chairs must know the general procedures and principles of board and shareholders' meetings. They must also understand general company law and corporate governance principles. Some skills that chairs should have are the ability to think strategically, communicate clearly, be a good listener and have emotional intelligence. Examples of professional qualifications that would help chairs are qualifications in corporate governance, company law, business administration and accounting.