RIYADH — The GCC Board Directors Institute (GCC BDI), a not-for-profit organization that guides board directors of organizations, from family-owned businesses to listed companies, to acquire the know-how and tools to reach and sustain effective governance, launched its new Director Certification Program in partnership with The Financial Academy, an institute that develops and grows the capabilities of human capital in the financial sector.

The launch, marks the commencement of a program that encompasses the core knowledge and awareness necessary to function effectively as a director. Specially designed for GCC BDI by Dr Chris Pierce, CEO of Global Governance Services and former Director of Professional Standards at the Institute of Directors in the UK, the program provides a structured roadmap for director development. Tailored to directors in the GCC region, the modules focus on knowledge, understanding, skills, mindsets, attitudes and values.

The first stage of the program is The World of Directorship, a Certificate in Board Directorship course. Upon completing the four modules and passing the assessment test, The Financial Academy and GCC BDI will award the successful participants with the Certified Director (Cert.Dir.) title. A Cert.Dir. can further advance their development with the Mastering the Boardroom diploma, followed by the Chartered Director module.

Jane Valls, Executive Director of GCC BDI, said: “We are pleased to launch our new Director Development Programme in partnership with The Financial Academy. GCC BDI’s expertise, combined with strong corporate governance, regulatory knowledge and practical director experience, enables us to deliver programs of exceptional quality.”

She added: “One of our core mandates is to make a positive impact on the economies and societies within the GCC region through raising the level of board effectiveness and professional directorship. We urge all chairmen, executive and non-executive directors, board secretaries and committee members to enrol in the program.”

Mana Alkhamsan, Managing Director, The Financial Academy, Saudi Arabia, said: “We are proud to partner with GCC BDI to deliver The World of Directorship that seeks to hone the participants’ proficiency and skills in the boardroom. I am confident that the program will play a vital role in shaping highly qualified directors across the region.”

Obtaining the Certificate in Board Directorship demonstrates an internationally accepted level of understanding of corporate governance. The program fully prepares directors for their roles, boosts their knowledge and confidence, and empowers them to make a valuable contribution to any board.

GCC BDI is the only directors’ institute from the region to be admitted to the Global Network of Director Institutes. With over 1,300 members, the organization is globally recognized as the most influential network of senior board directors in the GCC region. — SG