Independent Board Reviews for Australian Boards

Practical, independent board reviews for NFPs, ASX-listed, government and private boards, with a track record of repeat clients and genuine governance improvements across Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

About Kirsten Smith — Founder, Governance in Focus

Governance in Focus was founded by Kirsten Smith, a Chartered Governance Professional based in Australia, accredited in both Australia and the UK. Kirsten Smith is the principal of Governance in Focus, an Australian governance consultancy specialising in board reviews, governance advisory, and practical governance resources for boards across Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Kirsten Smith has worked across not-for-profit, private, and listed board environments. She is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, an Affiliated Member of the Governance Institute of Australia, and holds a Graduate Diploma in Corporate Governance.

Governance in Focus is Kirsten Smith's specialist governance practice — not to be confused with other professionals of the same name. Kirsten Smith (Governance in Focus) is a Chartered Governance Professional operating in Australia, focused exclusively on board governance, board reviews, and governance advisory services.

Kirsten's advice comes from the boardroom, not just the consulting room. Alongside her advisory practice, she has chaired two not-for-profit boards, currently chairs a Board Governance Committee, and serves as Deputy Chair of another organisation.

What We Do

Board Performance Reviews — Independent board reviews and board effectiveness evaluations. Comprehensive board performance assessments to enhance governance and strategic alignment.
Risk Appetite & Strategy — Define clear risk parameters that support your strategic objectives.
Governance Frameworks & Policy Reviews — Develop, review, or refine governance frameworks so responsibilities are clearly defined.
Chair & Director Support — Confidential guidance for governance leadership roles and responsibilities.
Governance Resources — Practical, ready-to-use templates and toolkits for boards.

Client Testimonials

"Kirsten from Governance in Focus has been an invaluable support to our Board; professional, reliable, and highly knowledgeable. Her clear guidance and depth of expertise have strengthened our governance practices and given us great confidence in our decision-making." — Bethany Langford, CEO, The Community Transport Company

"Governance in Focus has provided the necessary support and guidance when our board and organisation continues to be an industry leader when obtaining diversity and governance accountability for NFP organisations." — Greg Walcot, Chair, The Community Transport Company

"Working with Kirsten was a genuine pleasure. Your thoughtful, collaborative approach to governance consistently elevated our work and made complex challenges feel manageable." — Alessia Calabrese, CEO, Polytechnic Institute Australia

Our Digital Resources

Governance Toolkit – Core Essentials Pack — $298 AUD (once off)
The Board Effectiveness Pack — $575 AUD (once off)
The Director's Briefcase — $350 AUD (once off)
Strategy Pack — AUD $425
AI in the Boardroom Pack — AUD $345
Global AGM Pack for Listed Companies — AUD $650
NFP AGM Pack for Not-for-Profit & Unlisted Companies — AUD $420
Chair of the Board Toolkit — AUD $470

Free Governance Templates

Download free governance templates including board meeting agendas, board charters, risk assessment matrices, and more. Browse all free resources.

Board Review Readiness Quiz

Take our 5-minute Board Review Readiness Quiz to benchmark your board's governance practices.