Corporate Governance Workshop

2 May 2019
- Training
London Stock Exchange
This two-day workshop uses interactive exercises, group work and case studies to give delegates an in-depth understanding of the corporate governance framework in the UK and reviews current best practice and governance hot topics.
Course overview
2018 is a year of significant change in corporate governance with the introduction of a new, revised UK Corporate Governance Code a primary focus. This two day practical workshop is designed for those seeking knowledge and insight into the new Code and other best governance practices in 2018. The workshop combines a review of the key components of boardroom structures and performance with a focus on current governance hot topics.
The topics covered in this course include:
- review of the Revised UK Corporate Governance Code
- analysis of recent corporate failures and scandals
- modern thinking on diversity, corporate reporting and the accountability of directors
- board performance improvement drivers
Corporate governance is under increased scrutiny in current uncertain times. The course examines the fundamental principles of good corporate governance using the UK Code as its main reference point but including best practices from around the world: directors' duties; the role and responsibilities of the Board; leadership; the role of NEDs; committees. The course will also address the key areas to improve board performance including:
- the board's role in risk management
- diversity
- board evaluation
- succession planning and the role of the Nominations Committee
- business ethics, tone at the top, culture and reputation
Who should attend?
This two-day course has been designed to appeal to the following professionals:
- Chairmen
- Chief executives
- Company secretaries
- Executive and non-executive directors
- Directors of newly quoted AIM companies
- Heads of internal audit, compliance and risk management
- Institutional investors such as pension funds and insurance companies
- New entrants to investor relations
- All those individuals responsible for implementing best practice corporate governance in their organisation
CPD points: This programme attracts 12 CPD points.
Other dates in 2019: 15/16 October 2019
Course Tutor
Course Agenda
DAY ONE
8:30 - 8:55 – Registration and coffee
9:00 - 09:20 – Welcome and introduction to course objectives
- Understanding the UK corporate governance framework
- The 20th century governance background - Examining the development of the UK Corporate Governance Code
- Evaluating traditional roles, responsibilities and structures
- Establishing the benefits of improved governance
10:30 - 10:45 – Coffee
- Directors’ duties and the legal risks
- Duties – general and specific
- Reporting – shareholders and stakeholders
- Risks – shareholder litigation, regulator prosecution and disqualification
- Protections – systems and resources, and indemnity and insurance
12:30 - 13:30 - Lunch
- Implementing an effective risk management strategy
- What is risk? - Analysing important risks facing businesses in the 21st century
- Examining the essentials for an effective risk management process, including strategy, risk mapping, transparency and accountability and how to embed risk awareness into corporate culture
- Overview of modern risk models – Turnbull, COSO, Basel II
- Risk fitness test: - Take the risk fitness test and evaluate how well your organisation’s risk management process shapes up in terms of best practice
15:15 - 15:30 – Coffee
- Highlighting the scandal factor, corporate integrity and how directors should behave
- Examining headline cases
- Key areas of concern – effectiveness of audit, scrutiny of executives, design of remuneration packages
- Fraud in focus – how to take a strategic, risk based approach -
- Controls framework – control environment, prevention and detection
- Fraud awareness quiz
17:00 – Close
DAY TWO
- Developing an effective and talented board post - Higgs -
- Board basics – governance process model
- Leadership – the crucial role of the Chairman
- Non-executive directors – independence criteria and scrutiny requirements
- Board and committee structures
- Board analysis – how does your board compare to others in terms of the performance drivers built into the Code?
10:30 - 10:45 – Coffee
- Examining the different approaches to Governance Issues
- Other UK governance models – AIM, public sector, GOCO - The US perspective (Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002 and recent developments)
- Other governance models around the world
- Key governance issues – performance evaluation, training and development, diversity
- Discussion forum – through short presentations, delegates will discuss how the key governance issues of the day are handled in practice
12:30 - 13:30 – Lunch
- Understanding latest issues surrounding the key board committees (remuneration and audit)
- Remuneration committee – tying remuneration to performance
- Elements of total pay & transparency of directors’ remuneration
- Responsibilities and composition of the audit committee
- Relationship with internal and external audit and evaluating the audit process
15:15 - 15:30 – Coffee
- Business ethics – how to match values and behaviours
- Definitions and scope – examining “grey areas” of business conduct
- Individual characteristics and corporate culture – the key drivers of behaviour
- The modern business ethics toolkit
- Practical model for making business ethics work
17:00 – Summary and close
"It gave a good overview of the subject and increased my understanding of Board and NED responsibilities"
"The lecturer was a great source of knowledge"
"It was an exceptional opportunity to familiarise myself with best practices and real case studies "
"Thank you for such a useful course"
"The speaker was engaging with excellent content on corporate governance, culture and setting the tone from the top."
"The speaker was very clear, confident, personable and engaging. He made sure everyone was involved throughout the course. Very impressive."
"I have a far greater understanding of corporate governance. I didn’t expect it to be so interesting!"
"The course provided a good overview of governance with lots of discussion and food for thought."
"It provided me with practical examples of things I could implement within our organisation."
"It was a very useful course and really helped me in my career path."