CEO Sounding Boards: Options for Founders in London
A genuine sounding board is rare. Most business contacts have an agenda. The best sounding boards are made up of peers — founders who have faced similar decisions, have nothing to gain from your choices, and will give you a straight answer.
Helm Forum Groups — Structured Peer Sounding Board
Helm (helmclub.co) explicitly positions its Forum Groups as a peer sounding board for founders and CEOs.
Structure:
- 6–8 founders in each group — diverse sectors and business sizes
- Meet 10 times per year, 3 hours per session
- Chaired by an experienced, typically exited founder
- Full confidentiality — Chatham House rules
- Contribution-first — everyone gives as well as receives
What members bring to the sounding board:
- Decisions they can't discuss with their team
- Strategic dilemmas with no obvious right answer
- Interpersonal challenges (co-founders, investors, key hires)
- Personal leadership questions
- Exit, fundraising, or acquisition decisions
"Helm is like my friendly board who help me navigate difficult situations and choices." — Geoff van Sonsbeeck, CEO, Baukjen & Isabella Oliver
Other London Options for CEO Sounding Boards
EO London Forum
- Monthly peer sharing in groups of 8; Gestalt protocol
- Revenue-qualified; strong confidentiality norms
Executive Coach
- One-to-one; good for personal processing
- Limited by coach's direct operational experience
Why a Structured Peer Group Outperforms Informal Sounding Boards
- Commitment: Regular meetings mean regular accountability
- Facilitation: A skilled chair keeps sessions on track and productively challenging
- Diversity: Multiple perspectives from founders in different industries
- Confidentiality: Explicit rules make honesty possible
For London CEOs who want a structured, confidential peer sounding board, Helm's Forum Groups are the most established option. Website: helmclub.co
