Saudi Human Resources Development Fund Recognises GCC Board Directors Institute’s Board Secretary Certification Programme

Riyadh-Saudi Arabia: 21 June, 2021 – The GCC Board Directors Institute (GCC BDI), a not-for-profit organisation that helps board directors acquire the know-how and tools to achieve and sustain effective governance, announced that its Board Secretary Certification Programme is now recognised by the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) in Saudi Arabia.

HRDF is a Saudi government authority that was established by a royal decree in July 2000 under the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. The Fund provides financial support to organizations that train and qualify Saudis in the private sector.
Saudi nationals who complete the full certification programme and become Certified Board Secretaries can apply for a partial refund from HRDF up to a value of SAR 5,400.

Jane Valls, Executive Director of GCC BDI, said: “Board secretaries occupy a unique position in organisations. They are the key points of contact for the chairman, as well as central members of the senior management team. They bridge the gap between the boardroom and the executive due to their privileged access to both. However, the role and its value are frequently misunderstood and overlooked, which can result in board dysfunction and the failure of the board secretary to deliver effectively. GCC BDI’s Certified Board Secretary Programme seeks to address these misconceptions and help board secretaries gain clarity on their responsibilities vis-à-vis all stakeholders in the corporate governance system.”

She added: “We are proud of the recognition of our Certified Board Secretary Programme by HRDF. The support of the Fund will enable more Saudi nationals to benefit from the programme in line with the objective of Saudi Vision 2030 to develop the country’s human capital and empower its citizens to reach their full potential.”

The Certified Board Secretary Programme is designed for new and aspiring board secretaries, as well as seasoned board secretaries who have not had any formal professional training. The foundation course is also suitable for governance professionals, anyone involved in company law and regulatory compliance, and employees who are responsible for corporate governance or who are seeking a better understanding of the role of the board secretary. The four-module programme prepares participants to provide professional guidance on the governance aspects of strategic decisions to shareholders, boards, directors, management and other stakeholders.

GCC BDI is the most influential network of senior board directors in the GCC region with more than 2,000 members.


About the GCC Board Directors Institute

Launched in 2007, the GCC Board Directors Institute (GCC BDI) is an independent not-for-profit organisation that helps board directors of entities, from family-owned businesses to listed companies, acquire the know-how and tools to achieve and sustain effective governance.
GCC BDI was founded by eight leading regional corporations and professional services firms – Saudi Aramco, SABIC, Emirates NBD and Investcorp. The institute is supported by four advisory firms – Allen & Overy, Heidrick & Struggles, McKinsey & Company and PwC – as well as the regional regulatory authorities, including the Emirates Security and Commodities Authority, the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority, the Capital Market Authorities of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman, and the Central Bank of Bahrain.

GCC BDI’s mission is to create a strong and influential regional network of board members, enhance their capabilities, disseminate high-quality corporate governance knowledge and lead the regional debate on emerging best governance practices. The institute aims to accomplish these goals through a combination of effective practice and experience sharing, access to global knowledge, and interaction with its regional and global counterparts.

GCC BDI has grown to become the leading organisation for board directors in the GCC region, comprising over 2,000 members with extensive knowledge and experience of operating at the most senior levels of business.

A globally recognised organisation, GCC BDI is the only entity from the GCC region to be admitted to the Global Network of Director Institutes (GNDI).

For more information, please visit https://gccbdi.org/

For media enquiries, please contact:
Mehwish Sarwar
GCC Board of Directors Institute
mehwish.sarwar@gccbdi.org
+971 55 903 3365