Introduction

In today's complex and increasingly scrutinized corporate landscape, the efficiency, transparency, and strategic impact of an organization's governing body are paramount. Board Affairs Managers, often serving as Company Secretaries or Board Administrators, are no longer mere custodians of minutes; they are indispensable orchestrators of effective governance, critical facilitators of board dynamics, and strategic advisors on compliance and best practices. Their role demands a unique blend of legal acumen, administrative precision, strategic insight, and exceptional interpersonal skills to ensure seamless board operations, robust communication, and adherence to evolving regulatory frameworks. Without their meticulous planning and proactive management, boards risk inefficiencies, non-compliance, and hindered decision-making, ultimately impacting organizational stability and reputation. This comprehensive training is vital for professionals tasked with managing the sophisticated affairs of modern boards. This essential training course focuses on Training for Board Affairs Managers, equipping professionals to drive governance excellence and strategic board engagement.

This intensive training course provides a comprehensive and practical guide for professionals responsible for managing board affairs, ensuring governance excellence and operational efficiency. Participants will gain in-depth knowledge of corporate governance principles, board best practices, and the legal and regulatory frameworks governing board operations. We will delve into topics such as effective meeting management, minute-taking for legal defensibility, board communication strategies, and managing sensitive information. The course will cover the application of digital board portals, risk management oversight, and stakeholder engagement from a governance perspective. By mastering the intricate details of board affairs management, you will be equipped to provide indispensable support to your board, enhance decision-making processes, ensure compliance, and contribute significantly to organizational integrity and strategic success.

Target Audience

• Company Secretaries & Assistant Company Secretaries
• Board Administrators & Coordinators
• Governance Professionals
• Legal Counsel supporting Boards
• Executive Assistants to Boards/CEOs
• Compliance Officers
• Risk Management Professionals
• Internal Auditors interacting with Governance structures

Course Objectives

• Understand the fundamental concepts of corporate governance and board responsibilities.
• Master the roles and duties of a Board Affairs Manager/Company Secretary.
• Develop proficiency in planning, preparing, and executing effective board and committee meetings.
• Learn best practices for minute-taking that ensures legal defensibility and accuracy.
• Gain expertise in managing board information and communication securely and efficiently.
• Comprehend the legal and regulatory frameworks impacting board operations and compliance.
• Explore strategies for managing board evaluations and continuous improvement.
• Understand the importance of risk management oversight and ethical conduct from a governance perspective.
• Learn to leverage digital board portals and technology for enhanced board efficiency.
• Develop skills in stakeholder engagement and shareholder relations from a governance lens.
• Design a comprehensive board governance calendar and operational plan.

DURATION

10 Days

Course Content

Module 1: Foundations of Corporate Governance

• Defining corporate governance: principles, pillars, and frameworks (e.g., OECD, King Code).
• Roles and responsibilities of the Board of Directors: oversight, strategy, accountability.
• Types of boards: unitary, two-tier, non-profit boards.
• The legal and ethical duties of directors.
• Understanding board effectiveness and its indicators.

Module 2: The Evolving Role of the Board Affairs Manager

• Strategic positioning of the Board Affairs Manager/Company Secretary.
• Key responsibilities: governance advisory, meeting management, record keeping.
• Skills required: legal acumen, communication, negotiation, discretion.
• Maintaining impartiality and independence in the role.
• Ethical conduct and confidentiality as a core principle.

Module 3: Board & Committee Meeting Management Excellence

• Annual board calendar planning and scheduling.
• Developing comprehensive meeting agendas and board packs.
• Pre-meeting preparation and coordination with directors.
• Facilitating effective discussions during meetings.
• Post-meeting follow-up and action tracking.

Module 4: Mastering Minute-Taking & Records Management

• Purpose and legal requirements of board minutes.
• Best practices for concise, accurate, and legally defensible minute-taking.
• Capturing decisions, discussions, and dissenting views appropriately.
• Managing board resolutions and official records.
• Secure archiving and retrieval of board documents.

Module 5: Board Communication & Information Flow

• Ensuring timely and secure dissemination of board information.
• Managing sensitive and confidential board documents.
• Effective communication channels between board, management, and committees.
• Developing board policies on information sharing.
• Communication in crisis situations involving the board.

Module 6: Legal & Regulatory Compliance for Boards

• Overview of relevant company laws and regulations impacting boards.
• Compliance with listing rules (if applicable) and securities regulations.
• Understanding corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ESG governance.
• Data protection and privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR) for board data.
• Compliance audits related to governance practices.

Module 7: Board Effectiveness & Evaluation

• Principles and benefits of regular board evaluations.
• Designing and implementing effective board and director assessment processes.
• Identifying areas for improvement in board performance.
• Facilitating director induction and continuous professional development.
• Succession planning for directors and board leadership.

Module 8: Risk Management Oversight & Governance

• The board's role in enterprise risk management (ERM).
• Reporting on key risks and mitigation strategies to the board.
• Understanding governance risks: conflicts of interest, ethical lapses.
• Ensuring internal controls and audit functions are robust.
• Crisis preparedness and business continuity planning.

Module 9: Digital Board Portals & Governance Technology

• Leveraging board management software for efficiency and security.
• Features and benefits of digital board portals: secure access, collaboration tools.
• Implementing and onboarding directors to new technologies.
• Cybersecurity considerations for board communications and data.
• Future trends in governance technology.

Module 10: Stakeholder Engagement & Shareholder Relations

• Identifying key stakeholders of the board.
• Managing shareholder communication and annual general meetings (AGMs).
• Proxy advisory firms and shareholder activism.
• Building trust and transparency with stakeholders.
• ESG reporting and investor relations from a governance lens.

Module 11: Committee Management & Support

• Types of board committees: audit, nominations, remuneration, risk.
• Roles and responsibilities of key board committees.
• Providing dedicated support to committee chairs and members.
• Ensuring proper documentation and reporting of committee activities.
• Aligning committee work with overall board strategy.

Module 12: Ethical Leadership & Corporate Culture

• Promoting a strong ethical culture within the organization.
• The board's role in setting the tone at the top.
• Whistleblower policies and protection.
• Managing conflicts of interest at the board level.
• Fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion on the board.

Module 13: Developing a Governance Operational Plan

• Conducting a governance gap analysis for your organization.
• Creating a detailed annual governance calendar.
• Developing tailored policies and procedures for board affairs.
• Implementing best practices for continuous improvement.
• Building a robust support system for your board and directors.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.