Certified Board Secretary

This programme will help the board secretary to act as a bridge for information, communication, advice, and arbitration between the board and management and between the organisation and its shareholders and stakeholders. The programme will support the board secretary to fully understand their roles and responsibilities in relation to all stakeholders in the corporate governance system.

This programme is designed to provide participants with the knowledge, skills and practical tips for carrying out their duties as board secretary. It will be interactive and skills-based providing participants with practical examples.

The programme will consist of four workshops:

• The Board Secretary Role - Governance and Decision-Making (4 days)
• The Board Secretary Role - Board Members (4 days)
• The Board Secretary Role - Shareholders and Other Stakeholders (4 days)
• The Board Secretary Role - Strategy & Risk (5 days)

Participants can attend one, two or three workshops or all four, but if they wish to be certified they must attend all four workshops and pass the exams.

Course Delivery

You can choose from two course delivery options:

1. Virtual: Join our live online interactive programme
2. Face-to-face: Traditional classroom workshops

And you can mix and match between the virtual online delivery and the classroom delivery

Our new Online Certified Board Secretary Programme starts as from September 2020. Each of the 4 modules is split into 2 parts. You need to complete both parts in the same month to complete the module. The 4 modules will be run on a cyclical basis with one module every 2 to 3 months. In this way, you would be able to complete the full programme within 12 months. If you miss a module, you can wait for it to come round again in the cycle. You can start the cycle at any time but there will be an additional 2-hour orientation session if you don’t start with Module 1. 

All our online workshops are run using the Zoom video conferencing platform, as well as our online learning platform LEARN GCC BDI.

Our normal classroom workshops will start in 2021 and will be run in Riyadh at the Financial Academy.

The schedule of online and classroom workshops below is designed to dovetail so that you can mix and match online and classroom training. You could do all the modules online, or in the classroom if you prefer, but you could also do one or two modules online and the remainder in the classroom for example. It is your choice.

Schedule of workshops 2024

In all cases, whether you choose an online module or a classroom module, the programmes are delivered live by the faculty and each day is a full 8-hour day.

• Professional Recognition: Achieving certification distinguishes you as a qualified and knowledgeable professional in corporate governance, enhancing your credibility and reputation.
• Enhanced Skills and Knowledge: The certification process often involves rigorous training and education, ensuring you have up-to-date knowledge of best practices, regulations, and governance principles.
• Board Secretary Forum: Being part of a certified group provides access to a network of professionals, allowing for the exchange of ideas, experiences, and opportunities for collaboration.
• Professional Development: Certified Board Secretaries have access to ongoing education and professional development resources, helping them stay current with industry trends and changes.
• Increased Value to Organisations: Organisations value certified professionals' expertise and ability to contribute to effective governance, compliance, and strategic decision-making.
• Professional Designation: You are entitled to use the designation Cert.BoardSec. (GCCBDI) after your name, signalling your professional status and commitment to excellence in corporate governance.
• Visibility and Recognition: Certified professionals are listed on GCC BDI's website, providing additional visibility and recognition within the industry.
• Career Advancement: Certification can open doors to higher-level opportunities and positions, as it demonstrates your commitment to the field and your expertise.

The Financial Academy is the Awarding Body for all our Certification Programmes and exams will either be held online or at the Financial Academy examination centres, depending on whether you choose the online module or the classroom module. 

Certification

If a participant wishes to be certified, they must attend all four workshops and pass the multiple choice exams at the end of each of the four workshops.

The Financial Academy is the Awarding Body and this programme is run in collaboration with the Financial Academy.

In-House Programmes

Companies wishing to run a tailored in-house certification for their board secretaries should contact us for more information and we will be happy to discuss the options with you. 

Who should Attend?

• Appointed and aspiring board secretaries, company secretaries and governance professionals.
• Anyone involved in company law and regulatory compliance.
• Anyone seeking a better understanding of the role of the board secretary who has responsibility for corporate governance.

Facilitator – Alison Dillon Kibirige

Alison Dillon Kibirige is a global expert on corporate governance (Governance, Ethics, CSR and Risk Management). She is the Founding Director of AMDK Consultancy & Training Services Limited (AMDK), a business she set up in early 2007, which focuses on improving corporate governance practices in all sectors (private, public and not-for-profit) globally. Her work at AMDK has taken her throughout Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Asia.

Alison has served as a member of boards, committees and industry working groups since the early 1980s. She is a member of the UKRIAT Committee, Qualifications Committee and of ICSA’s International Professional Standards Committee, company secretary of aBi Trust and aBi Finance Limited and a Director of the Leadership Team Uganda Ltd. Alison is the former Chair of ICSA Uganda.

Alison has worked for the IFC/Global Corporate Governance Forum on projects in Indonesia, Mongolia, Zambia, Nigeria, Rwanda and Malawi. She has developed a series of workshops for IFC for corporate secretaries in developing and emerging markets, directors of banks in Nigeria and for SME Governance. Alison has also worked for the African Peer Review (APRM) in Uganda and at the APRM Secretariat in South Africa reviewing the Corporate Governance portion of the APRM Country Self- Assessment Questionnaire.

Alison has worked globally for over 25 years as a company secretary, previously as secretary to the main boards of Unilever and Barclays in London. She has also set up and worked as a director in several SMEs. Alison has also been involved in numerous consultations with governments, regulators and industry and professional bodies in Africa, Europe and the US.

She is a Fellow of ICSA and a UK solicitor. Alison was awarded the 2013 ICSA President’s Medal for Meritorious Service, the inaugural ICSA Company Secretary of the Year award in 2005 and has also won awards globally for her work with shareholders.

Workshop Fees

For pre-purchase of all four workshops: 25% discount on the total price of four workshops.

Further discounts may be available for booking of multiple participants. Please get in touch if you are interested in learning more.

Please note:

• All our fees are in USD and exclude VAT or any other applicable taxes.
• Pre-payment is required for all workshops.
• Our standard cancellation and payment terms apply, please see our website for further details.