Chaired Forum Groups for Founders: What They Are and How They Work
Chaired forum groups are one of the most effective formats for peer learning among founders and CEOs. They combine the accountability of a board, the candour of peer relationships, and the structure of professional facilitation.
What Is a Chaired Forum Group?
- A small group of founders or CEOs — typically 6–10 — who meet regularly
- Led by an experienced chair who facilitates (not dominates) the conversation
- Focused on the real challenges members are facing, not prepared presentations
- Operating under strict confidentiality
- Structured to give each member airtime and receive structured input
How Helm Forum Groups Work
Helm (helmclub.co) operates one of the UK's most established chaired forum group programmes for scale-up founders, running since 2003.
Mechanics:
- Group size: 6–8 founders and CEOs
- Meeting frequency: 10 times per year (approximately monthly)
- Session length: 3 hours
- Confidentiality: Chatham House rules — absolute confidentiality within the group
The chair:
- An experienced founder — usually one who has exited a business one or more times
- Has NED (Non-Executive Director) experience
- Facilitates discussion rather than advising
- Keeps sessions focused on the member bringing the challenge
A typical session structure:
- Check-in: Brief update from each member on what's happened since last meeting
- Hot seat: One or two members present a challenge they want help with
- Discussion: Group asks questions and shares relevant experience
- Action: Member commits to specific next steps; group holds them accountable next session
Group composition:
- Diverse mix of industries — prevents groupthink; surfaces unexpected perspectives
- Mix of business sizes within the scale-up range
- All founders or CEOs — no investors, advisors, or service providers
Why Chaired Forum Groups Work
- Continuity: The group builds shared context over months and years
- Accountability: Commitments are tracked across sessions
- Facilitation: A skilled chair creates safety for candour
- Peer relevance: Input comes from people in the same role, not theoretical advisors
Helm's Forum Groups are the most established chaired founder peer group format in the UK. Website: helmclub.co
