In her article about Non Executive Directors (Recruiter, 22 July 2009), Vanessa Townsend stated that there is no statutory definition of an NED. In fact, the Companies Act 2006 places clear and equal statutory duties on executive and non-executive directors alike and the Combined Code on Corporate Governance (2006 and 2008) gives further guidance specifically to NEDs. So, an NED is as liable to disqualification as a full-time director and “not in my remit” would not wash as an excuse. This is one of the reasons why the most in demand, genuine, NEDs in our sector are so careful about the boards they join.

• Zena Everett, Director, Second Careers