Oman Investment Authority (OIA) Joins GCC Board Directors Institute (GCC BDI) as a Strategic Partner

4 March 2025. The GCC Board Directors Institute (GCC BDI) is pleased to announce its strategic partnership with the Oman Investment Authority (OIA), marking a crucial step toward enhancing governance standards across the Gulf region. This collaboration underscores a unified commitment to excellence in governance and leadership, risk management and regulatory compliance, as well as board effectiveness.

As a Strategic Partner of the GCC Board Directors Institute (GCC BDI), the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) has appointed His Highness Sayyid Juland Jaifar Al Said, Chief of the Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Directorate, to represent OIA at GCC BDI’s Board of Governors meetings. In this capacity, His Highness will play an active role in guiding GCC BDI’s strategic direction and mission, aimed at strengthening board member competencies, fostering a robust network of influential board members, and promoting the dissemination of best practices in corporate governance across the region.

Muhammad Al Shoorgi, Chairman of GCC BDI, added: “Oman Investment Authority’s commitment to this partnership demonstrates a shared vision for driving governance standards. Together, we will foster a culture of excellence that not only enhances our respective organisations but also contributes significantly to the economic development of the region.”

His Highness Sayyid Juland Jaifar Al Said, Chief of the Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Directorate at OIA, expressed his enthusiasm for this collaboration: “Joining GCC BDI as a strategic partner aligns seamlessly with our mission at OIA to further enhance corporate governance, foster leadership development, and ensure our entities are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the evolving business landscape. This collaboration presents a valuable opportunity to leverage our collective expertise in ultimately building a robust governance framework in the region.”

As part of this partnership, GCC BDI recently delivered the tailored ‘OIA Board Development Certification’ to OIA, aiming to equip board members with the essential skills and knowledge required for excellence in governance. The programme engaged 56 participants in both practical and theoretical learning experiences, shaping forward-thinking leaders pivotal to reinforcing the national economic framework.

Supported by a prestigious consortium of regional corporations and professional services firms, including First Abu Dhabi Bank, National Bank of Bahrain, SABIC, Saudi Aramco, Allen & Overy, Heidrick & Struggles, McKinsey & Company, and PwC, the GCC BDI is at the forefront of enhancing governance standards in the Gulf region.

GCC BDI, founded in 2007, has emerged as the leading organisation for board directors in the Gulf region, delivering more than 600 programmes and forums to top-tier companies and boasting a network of over 4,200 members. Its commitment to enhancing corporate governance practices remains unwavering, backed by support from regional regulatory authorities.

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About GCC Board Directors Institute (GCC BDI)

GCC BDI is supported by nine leading regional corporations and professional services firms who serve as our strategic partners: First Abu Dhabi Bank, National Bank of Bahrain, Oman Investment Authority, SABIC, Saudi Aramco, Allen & Overy, Heidrick & Struggles, McKinsey & Company, and PwC. GCC BDI aims to enhance board member capabilities, create a strong regional network of board members, and disseminate high-quality corporate governance knowledge. Since its founding in 2007, it has delivered over 600 programmes and forums to top-tier companies in the Gulf and now comprises over 4200 members.

As the leading organisation for board directors in the region, GCC BDI is globally recognised and the only director institute from the Gulf region admitted to the Global Network of Director Institutes (GNDI). Its mission is to strengthen corporate governance in the GCC through capability building, advocacy, and promoting sound governance practices, with a vision to be the pre-eminent institute for boards and directors in the GCC, promoting the highest professional standards of corporate governance and professional directorship. For more information, please visit https://gccbdi.org

For media enquiries, please contact:

Mehwish Sarwar, GCC Board of Directors Institute, mehwish.sarwar@gccbdi.org

Oman Investment Authority (OIA)

The Oman Investment Authority (OIA) is the investment arm of the Government of the Sultanate of Oman. It is responsible for managing, investing in, and developing the Sultanate's assets both domestically and internationally. Its portfolio is geographically diverse, with investments spread across more than 50 countries worldwide, covering various sectors such as food, energy, logistics, telecommunications and information technology, public services, finance and investment, food security, tourism, mining, industry, and aviation. The OIA plays a pivotal role in driving sustainable economic development for the Sultanate of Oman and achieving the nation's vision of becoming an attractive destination for investment.