Agenda – In a SPAC-Driven World, How Much Is a Board Seat Worth?

Special purpose acquisition corporations (SPACs), also known as “blank check companies,” are non-operating publicly traded entities, created for the sole purpose of raising capital to finance the acquisition of an existing, privately held company that intends to go public. SPACs are a relatively inexpensive and expeditious way for such companies to go public. As a result, many companies are opting for the SPAC route, rather than pursuing the lengthier and more expensive process of a “front door” IPO.

There are two points at which SPACs need to recruit board members. The first is at the time of formation; the second is at the time of a merger with an operating entity. The compensation for directors is not only different by stage but also quite distinct from that of non-SPAC companies. Learn more in the Agenda article, “In a SPAC-Driven World, How Much Is a Board Seat Worth?”

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About Robin Ferracone

Founder and CEO, Farient Advisors/GECN Group

New York: (646) 626-6931
Los Angeles: (626) 799-2700
robin.ferracone@farient.com

As the founder and CEO of Farient Advisors LLC, Robin has led the strategic development and expansion of the executive compensation, performance, and corporate governance advisory firm. Her client work focuses on providing high-impact decision-making support and organizational solutions based on insightful market insights.

With over 30 years of consulting experience, Robin advises clients in business and talent strategies, executive compensation, organization, value management, and performance measurement. She is the author of Fair Pay Fair Play: Aligning Executive Performance and Pay (John Wiley & Sons, 2010). In addition, Robin has authored numerous articles, is a regular contributor to Forbes.com and Directorship magazine, and is often quoted in national publications. She is a frequent presenter for prominent organizations such as the Council of Institutional Investors, Society for Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals, the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), and The Conference Board.

Robin formerly served on the board of directors of Trupanion, Inc., where she chaired the compensation committee. In addition, Robin is a trustee emeritus of Duke University. She currently chairs the board of WildAid and is a member of 5050 Women on Boards, NACD, Women Corporate Directors, YPO Gold, and the Trusteeship. For 12 years, Robin has been named to the NACD Directorship 100, a list of the most influential people in corporate governance and the boardroom. In 2014, she was selected as one of EY’s Entrepreneurial Winning Women, an annual competition recognizing female entrepreneurs. Robin is also a founding partner of the Global Governance and Executive Compensation (GECN) Group collectively serving clients in more than 35 countries across five continents.

Robin received an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in management science and economics from Duke University.

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