Trusted partner and
advisor to Boards.
SP Board Partners have been conducting Board Reviews for over 15 years, formerly as the Manchester Square Partners (MSP) Board Effectiveness Review practice.
We have been fortunate to develop long-lasting relationships and a strongly differentiated reputation, working with a broad cross-section of organisations from highly complex, multi-national FTSE 50 companies to AIM listed, privately owned and not-for-profit organisations.
We bring insight and judgement based on many years of experience, not just through Board Performance reviews, but also from our own Executive, Board and Chair roles and from acting as advisors and a sounding board to many senior leaders.
Discreet, independent and focused on adding value
We partner with Chairs, Board members and Company Secretaries to reflect on their effectiveness as a group and to consider how they might continue to evolve to provide the leadership required for the continued success of the organisation.
Our approach is to develop and agree a tailored review process for each client.
We always take a forward-looking perspective, highlight the strengths of the Board and restrict our main suggestions to three or four themes that are likely to have the most impact.
Our style is to be empathetic, constructive, pragmatic and diplomatic.
“We believe that your approach, forward looking emphasis, commercial experience and understanding of how international boards operate positioned you strongly to deliver a high-quality and insightful evaluation.” Company Secretary, FTSE 100
Senior judgement throughout
Every review is led by one of us, and usually both, drawing on years of commercial and board review experience. We have no other team members.
Real discussions
We handle each meeting as a fluid conversation and opportunity to reflect, rather than a question-and-answer session.
Behavioural Insight
We focus closely on team dynamics, relationships, individual and collective engagement, communications, and decision-making.
Who we've worked for
Most of our clients have worked with us on a repeat basis.
Our team
Founded by Elaine Sullivan and Lorna Parker in 2026.
We have been conducting Board Reviews together for over 15 years, formerly as the Manchester Square Partners (MSP) Board Effectiveness Review practice.
We purposely limit the number of reviews we take on each year, partly because of the time we like to invest in each one, and partly so we can continue other work that informs and enhances our Board review work.
Elaine Sullivan
Elaine founded SP Board Partners with Lorna Parker. She and Lorna previously set up and led Manchester Square Partners (MSP)'s Board Effectiveness Review work for 15 years. Elaine was an Equity Partner at Manchester Square Partners (MSP) for 10 years and an Advisory Partner for the last 5 years.
Elaine also acts as an advisor to Boards, Chairs, Directors and Executives.
Elaine has a wealth of experience gained in senior executive leadership roles at IBM, Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank, managing businesses ranging from early stage to significant worldwide revenue. She has worked and lived in the UK, New York and Paris. She was Chair of, and successfully listed, Physitrack plc, a global B2B digital healthcare provider, and of The London Wildlife Trust.
She has led a range of initiatives in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, of which she has been a long-term champion. Elaine has always been active in Environmental and Social issues and created some of the first sustainability measures for business in a leadership role for Business in the Community. She is passionate about wildlife and nature and spends any free time outdoors.
Lorna Parker
Lorna founded SP Board Partners with Elaine Sullivan. She has been conducting Board Effectiveness reviews for UK public companies for fifteen years as an Advisory Partner at Manchester Square Partners (MSP), working alongside Elaine Sullivan, and also as an independent consultant. In addition, her portfolio career has included a wide range of NED, Trustee and advisory roles. She is currently a member of the Supervisory Board of PAI Partners, a leading private equity firm, and a Trustee of the Royal Parks (Chair of its People and Culture Committee).
She recently retired as a Trustee of the Royal Horticultural Society (Chair of its Nominations, Appointments and Governance Committee) and as a Trustee and Vice Chair of the National Opera Studio. She was previously a Non-Executive Director of Indivior plc (Chair of its Nominations and Governance Committee) and of Future Academies, and a senior advisor at CVC Capital Partners, providing advice on portfolio company leadership, succession and recruitment. She previously held a similar role at BC Partners.
Lorna's executive career was primarily in executive search, as a partner at Spencer Stuart for nearly 20 years, where she created and led their private equity practice across Europe, co-led the legal search practice, was a member of the UK Board practice and was the UK Managing Partner.
Lorna has an MA in Economics from Cambridge University and an MBA from Stanford Business School. Not surprisingly, she loves gardening and opera.
Get in touch
To discuss a Board Effectiveness Review, or for any other enquiry,
please contact us at hello@spboardpartners.com.
We take on a limited number of reviews each year. Please get in touch as early as possible to discuss timing.