Bente served eight years on the board: Read her experiences

To serve on the Board of Directors in a large bank is too many equal to focus on strategies, Excel sheets and large far-reaching decisions at the top of the organisation.

But the Board of Directors also represents the bank's most important resource: Its employees

One of them is Bente Bang, employee-elected member of the Board of Directors of Danske Bank for eight years and former vice-chairman of Finansforbundet i Danske Bank. According to Bente, the role of employee elected members is perhaps more important than ever.

Brings other competencies to the board room

”I see it as a competency in itself that we are employees in our work on the Board of Directors. We represent the ordinary employee and thus the challenges they and we face in everyday life – and this perspective is needed,” Bente explains.

Unlike most members of the Board of Directors, employee representatives know everyday life in Danske Bank. They know how decisions affect those who have customers and what it means when decisions in the board room become reality in the business units.

"For example, being made redundant can be detrimental to your personal finances. If you are not a part of your everyday life in the bank, you might forget that perspective. We are the people who remind  the other board members that there are people behind the figures,” she says.

Crises, culture and relations

During the eight years as board member, Bente has experienced crises, bad publicity and major changes.

”The management has been aware of dealing with crises, but focus can quickly disappear from the employees. It is our job to stick to it,” she says.

Much has changed in recent years. The crises and bad publicity in the media are past. But another thing has also been changed:

"I find that there is more respect for the employee elected members of the Board of Directors today than before. They listen to what we're saying. Furthermore, we get to know the board and  ELT which is an important side benefit. We have relations and that is beneficial in our work for the benefit of members.”

The employees' vote on the board is not just a formality – it is a guarantee that decisions are made with a look all way around. 

”Management must of course keep track of the strategy and figures and focus on earnings and the financial bottom line. But we can bring focus on the employees,” says Bente.

And maybe that’s exactly what makes the difference:

That the professionally appointed members of the Board of Directors are reminded of how it feels to be an ordinary employee.

A role with responsibility and development

Being an employee elected member of the board is not just a title. It is a responsibility that requires courage and insight.

”The first years were a steep learning curve for me. But I’ve fortunately become comfortable in the role over time and stand firm when needed,” says Bente.

She points out that the role of employee elected members also provides a unique opportunity to influence the culture of the bank:

”The balance, which takes into account both the unrelenting focus on business and the human aspect, is crucial.”

Being represented on the Board of Directors strengthens Finansforbundet i Danske Bank's work.

"You will get a better basis for your work to represent the members of Finansforbundet i Danske Bank by sitting on the board. I believe that is indisputable. You will gain insight into several intermediate calculations along the way and a better understanding of the decisions that are made,” she explains.