Press Releases

The ninth edition of the GCC Board Chair Summit culminated at the Crowne Plaza Convention Center in Riyadh, uniting over 150 of the region’s top board chairs, influential leaders, and industry experts to address the critical challenges and trends shaping the future of the GCC’s business landscape.

Held under the theme ‘GCC Transforms: Driving Change,’ the summit delved into global shifts shaping the region’s economic trajectory, including corporate governance, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks. The event served as a vital platform for exchanging insights and innovative approaches to corporate governance in an era of rapid change.

The upcoming ninth edition of the GCC Board Chair Summit is set to convene over 100 influential leaders and board chairs from across the region on Tuesday, 22 October to engage in high-level discussions on critical issues impacting today’s business climate. Under the theme of ‘GCC Transforms: Driving Change,’ the GCC Board Directors Institute’s (GCC BDI) summit will explore the global shifts reshaping the region's economy, including new sector diversification, AI, Cybersecurity and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG).

The GCC Board Directors Institute (GCC BDI), the region’s leading authority on advancing board effectiveness and corporate governance, has announced the graduation of its latest cohort of 64 individuals who have completed its Certificate and Diploma in Board Directorship and Board Secretary Certification Programmes in partnership with the Financial Academy. The graduation ceremony, held at the Movenpick Hotel in Riyadh, honoured 56 Certified Board Directors, 4 Certified Board Secretaries, and 4 Directors who received diplomas. They will go on to champion excellence in corporate governance across the GCC.

The Middle East Investor Relations Association (MEIRA) has forged a strategic partnership with the GCC Board of Directors Institute (GCC BDI) to undertake a comprehensive assessment of its Corporate Governance frameworks and Board of Directors’ operations, encompassing both the central MEIRA Board and the Saudi Chapter Board. The assessment will be undertaken by an independent GCC BDI External Consultant.

GCC Board Directors Institute in collaboration with The Financial Academy in Saudi Arabia, are proud to announce the award of certificates to 35 new graduates of its GCC BDI Certificate and Diploma in Board Directorship and Board Secretary Certification Programmes.

The GCC Board Directors Institute (GCC BDI), the leading governance advisory and advocacy organisation, has published its 8th Board Effectiveness Review, revealing the trends and insights engaging board members in the GCC. The new report, produced in collaboration with Heidrick & Struggles, finds that managing stakeholder expectation was a growing concern for respondents while the long term value of good sustainability and environmental, social and governance strategy for companies was broadly recognised.

The GCC Board Directors Institute (GCC BDI), a not-for-profit organization for board directors, has signed a three-year partnership agreement with Nesma & Partners Contracting Company Ltd. (N&P), the leading contracting company in the Middle East. The move will help entities bolster corporate governance and support GCC BDI’s ongoing commitment to developing board effectiveness across the Gulf.

John Gollifer will take up his new role from 15 November 2023 as Jane Valls retires while continuing to support the Institute as an external advisor and consultant. The Board of Governors is delighted to advise that John Gollifer has been appointed, effective 15 November 2023, as our new CEO, taking over from Jane Valls who has expressed her wish to retire and move into an advisory role.

Family businesses are woven into the fabric of the UAE. Already responsible for a large percentage of the country’s GDP, they will play a key role in driving forward the UAE’s economic goals. But, as these businesses shift from one generation to the next, challenges around succession, inheritance, and governance have begun to arise.

New governance guidelines like the framework recently issued in Dubai by the Dubai Centre for Family Businesses are creating a clearer path for families navigating these emerging challenges.

The Global Network of Director Institutes (GNDI) has met over the last few days in London, from July 16th to Wednesday 19th July 2023. These have been the first meetings that the GNDI members have participated in person since the meetings held in Dubai in 2019. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the GNDI have only met on digital platforms and have elevated the operations and brand of the GNDI through these online platforms. The GNDI is a network of leading director institutes from around the world.