1-2 July 2024
Dubai
TBA
Overview
Join us in Dubai on July 1st - 2nd, 2024, for a two-day corporate governance masterclass designed to enhance board effectiveness and strategic oversight. Discover the latest in risk management, ESG integration, and digital transformation through expert-led discussions and interactive sessions. This event is perfect for board members, senior executives, and governance professionals looking to lead with sustainability and navigate the complexities of modern governance. Gain essential tools and insights to propel your organization toward effective and responsible leadership.
BOOK REVIEW
“Terrific! A comprehensive and insightful overview of the board's changing role. Exceptionally well written -- even witty -- and thoroughly researched with some insightful details not previously public... an outstanding analysis of the future for corporate directors and an indispensable resource for shareholders and managers as well... balances theory and practical suggestions on every aspect of board service... this engaging and thoughtful book makes a major contribution.”
Nell Minow, LENS Inc
“A welcome addition... Ward speaks from knowledge. A very readable book about boards for boards. This is a book which deserves to be in the bottom drawer of every senior member of our profession. Ward is prepared to ask the toughest of questions.”
Corporate Secretary magazine (Hong Kong), Institutional Shareholder Services newsletter
“Ralph Ward has pulled together all of his experience and wisdom to help executives make the leap to board service. Finally a true guidebook full of detail actionable steps for getting onto a board.”
Betsy Atkins, Volvo Cars Group
WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND?
The Corporate Governance Masterclass features in-depth discussion on the development and role of boards, governance best practice, structuring effective boards, leadership, and handling “inside the boardroom” conflicts. The masterclass seminar is set in a dynamic "virtual boardroom" environment where this experience is structured to provide:
- Expert-Led Insights: Gain a thorough understanding of board development and the latest in governance best practices from an internationally- recognized expert in Board and Director advisor, Ralph Ward.
- Hands-On Training: Participate in intensive, scenario-based simulations that mimic real boardroom challenges.
- Leadership Skills: Develop crucial skills to effectively manage and navigate boardroom dynamics and conflicts.
- Professional Networking: Meet and connect with other governance professionals and industry leaders to expand your professional network.
What You Will Learn by the End of This Course:
- Formulate efficient charters, memberships, and agendas for audit, compensation, and governance/nominating committees.
- Learn what are specific “best practice” tips for audit committees & update committee functions to meet contemporary governance demands.
- Develop board-based risk assessment processes tailored to current business climates.
- Gain proficiency in managing cybersecurity, data privacy, AI, and regulatory changes.
- Construct a comprehensive skills matrix to identify and bridge talent gaps within your board.
- Learn strategies for the board chair to effectively share power with the chief executive and identify potential conflict points.
- Utilize tools and frameworks to integrate and manage effective ESG strategies.
- Simplify board meeting packages to enhance preparation and clarity.
- Recognize and use key risk indicators to protect and steer your business effectively
BOOKS' PUBLISHED
COURSE FACILITATOR
Ralph Ward
Global Boardroom Speaker and Trainer
About
Ralph Ward is a globally renowned speaker, writer, and advisor specializing in board governance. His expertise encompasses guiding boards towards excellence, establishing personal boardroom objectives, and shaping the future landscape of corporate governance worldwide.
Achievements
- Renowned Global Speaker: Ralph Ward is a globally recognized speaker on board governance, offering insights from decades of experience in enhancing boardroom effectiveness and strategic oversight.
- Author of Pioneering Works: He has authored several influential books, including "21st Century Corporate Board" and "Boardroom Q&A," providing deep dives into modern governance challenges and solutions.
- Advisor to Boards and Directors: As an internationally sought-after advisor, Ralph has guided numerous corporate boards and directors towards achieving excellence in governance practices.
- Certified Trainer with Practical Insights: His CPD-certified training sessions are lauded for their practical insights, helping executives make the leap to effective board service.
- Editor of Leading Governance Publications: Serving as the editor of The Corporate Board magazine and publisher of Boardroom INSIDER, Ralph offers cutting-edge governance wisdom and trends.
- Expert in Digital and ESG Governance: He leads the conversation on digital transformation and ESG integration in the boardroom, preparing leaders for the future of corporate governance.
- Extensive Media Presence: With appearances on CNNfn, CNBC, and Bloomberg, Ralph Ward is a recognized authority on board dynamics, frequently sought for his expert commentary on governance issues.
Has Worked With
Book(s) Published
- Board Seeker: Your Guidebook and Career Map into the Corporate Boardroom (Business Expert Press, 2018)
- Boardroom Q&A (Boardroom INSIDER, (2011)
- The New Boardroom Leaders (Praeger, 2008)
- Saving the Corporate Board (Wiley, 2003)
- Improving Corporate Boards (Wiley, 2000)
- 21st Century Corporate Board (Wiley, 1997)
Agenda
The 21st Century Corporate Board
Led by expert Ralph Ward, this event is aimed at board members and senior executives looking to improve governance practices. The program covers ESG integration, digital governance, and enhancing board-management collaboration. Participants will engage in interactive sessions and case studies to learn about effective governance. The goal is to provide attendees with the knowledge to lead their organizations effectively and responsibly.
DAY ONE Global best practice tips and tools for how boards really work making them more effective and improving equity and corporate responsibility.
MODULE 1
THE CORPORATE BOARD MODEL – HOW WHY AND WHO
- How did the “corporate board” model take over the world… and why does it keep failing?
- Called to order - Group introductions Why are we here?
- How the corporate board model took over the world (and why it so often fails).
- The changing mandates and structures of board committees
- Case Study: Governance changes made new financing possible.
MODULE 2 THE STRUCTURE AND WORKINGS OF AN EFFECTIVE BOARD
- The board’s role as a fiduciary; the role of board committees and why they are now so crucial to success.
- Why boards are not designed to do the job we demand of them.
- The elements of an effective board and governance structure.
- “Best practice” tips from national corporate governance frameworks
- Your director duties.
- Effective committee structures.
- “Specializing” board work to the committee level.
MODULE 3 CORPORATE FINANCIAL CONTROLS AND THE BOARD (CASE STUDY)
- What numbers and data tell the real company story (and how to make them board friendly).
- Making financial controls "board friendly."
- Smart use of dashboards and digital tools to improve controls.
- Disclosure – telling the company story to investors and stakeholders.
- What your board doesn’t know about the company
- Board info packages – how to cut the bulk while improving value.
- The board role in shaping company strategy.
MODULE 4 BEST PRACTICE BOARDROOM TOOLS
- Save time and effort and improve board results with these proven meeting agenda and recordkeeping ideas.
- Board calendars and agendas that boost workflow.
- What’s missing from your board agenda?
- “Bright ideas” for agendas that deliver better boardwork with less effort.
- How most board materials guarantee poor oversight (and how to shake them up).
- Try these tools to improve board presentations.
MODULE 5 ESG AND THE BOARD (CASE STUDY)
- How boards can integrate and monitor company environmental social and governance issues.
- The boom in ESG concerns.
- How does the board structure itself to work with ESG stakeholders?
- Telling your ESG story to shareholders and stakeholders
- Judging company ESG materiality.
- Boardroom diversity – best practice trends and ideas
DAY TWO Navigating today’s boardroom opportunities -- and dangers.
MODULE 6 EFFECTIVE BOARD SELF EVALUATION
- Practical tools and guides for grading your board membership and performance.
- The “pre-evaluation” steps that bring success.
- Building your board “skill matrix”.
- Tools for rating your board.
- What too often goes wrong with evaluation?
- How do you put evaluation results to work?
MODULE 7 BOARD RISK OVERSIGHT AND COMPLIANCE (CASE STUDY)
- Risks keep surprising boards. Here’s where to look for danger on the horizon.
- The board role in shaping company risk strategy.
- Why boards overestimate outside risks (and underestimate inside ones).
- Structuring your board for smart risk oversight.
- Is your board itself a risk factor? Watch for these dangers.
MODULE 8 THE BOARD AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE RELATIONSHIP
- Navigating the trickiest boardroom power relationship.
- Making board/CEO teamwork effective.
- How does the board “know its role” versus management?
- Elements of an effective CEO succession plan.
- What boards get right (and wrong) in CEO evaluation.
- Case study – A founder turns over the reins to a new CEO… but does he?.
MODULE 9 HOW BOARDS CAN MONITOR TECHNOLOGY
- Cybersecurity big data AI digital dangers and opportunities – Here is a board oversight plan.
- What are the latest technology issues boards must master (cybersecurity, data usage, AI, etc.)?
- Should you consider a board technology committee? Here’s how.
- Improving your board’s tech knowledge.
- How can tech staff and the board learn to speak the same language?
- Using technology tools to revamp how your board does its job (virtual meetings, board portals).
MODULE 10 BOARD FLASHPOINTS – CONFLICTS AND CRISES (MOCK BOARD MEETING CRISIS EXERCISE)
- What really triggers boardroom battles and emergencies and how to be ready.
- How boards are a surprising source of company crises.
- What sparks the most common boardroom battles?
- Conflicts of interest and board investigations.
- How do we handle our company crisis? (mock board meeting).
