CIT Academies

In 2018, CIT Academies implemented OnBoard, a comprehensive board management platform, to streamline governance processes and enhance security. This provided a centralised, secure location for all board-related activities. 

Ana Hendrickson, Company Secretary and Clerk to the Trustee Board, says that using OnBoard provides multiple benefits as she administers her duties in preparing board materials, communicating with trustees, and executing board meeting operations.  

Key Benefits:

• Ease of Use and Navigation: OnBoard’s intuitive interface has made it easy for trustees to access the information they need.  
  Hendrickson notes, “OnBoard is really easy to navigate and find information. Not just for the trustees, but for anybody joining the system.” 
• Simplified Onboarding for New Members: The easy-to-understand navigation and storage options also means that new trustees can quickly get up to speed with OnBoard’s comprehensive archive of past meeting materials.  
  “We currently have two new trustees who have easily accessed the portal and perused all required documents; and it’s just so easy because there is no need to send any information electronically,” Hendrickson says.  “Everything is held within the OnBoard portal, so it’s been a massive help.” 
• Enhanced Security and Control: OnBoard’s granular permission settings allow CIT Academies to control access to sensitive information. Confidential documents are stored in a secure folder, accessible only to authorised personnel.  
• Streamlined Audits and Compliance: OnBoard provides a centralised repository for all board documents, making it easy to demonstrate compliance with ESFA regulations. Auditors can quickly access the information they need without the need for printing or physical document management.
  
  

“Every year access is given to our auditors, they know exactly where to go and where all documents and approvals are,” Hendrickson says. “So for auditing purposes is just really easy because everything is so accessible and held in one place.” 

• Improved Efficiency: OnBoard has eliminated the need for printing and distributing paper documents, saving time and resources. Board members can now access all meeting materials securely online, from any device.

Key Features in Use: 

• Minutes Builder: Quickly create meeting minutes drafts with multi-user editing and approvals and repeatable templates.  
• Agenda Builder: No more starting from scratch with an agenda editor that can be used again and again.   
• Resources Folder: Securely store and share board materials. 
• Messenger: Plan and execute board meetings efficiently by communicating to all board trustees simultaneously and ensuring all have the most current and up-to-date materials. 
• Granular Permissions and Security: Control who can access sensitive information. 
• Mobile App: Enable board members to access materials from any device, including biometric security and remote device wipe for lost or stolen hardware. 
• Archive: Provides a complete history of board decisions. 

Impact: 

OnBoard has empowered CIT Academies to: 

• Improve board engagement and decision-making. 
• Reduce administrative burden and costs. 
• Enhance data security and compliance. 
• Support the trust’s mission of providing high-quality education to all pupils.