Introduction

In today's complex and highly scrutinized corporate landscape, robust ethics and unwavering integrity are paramount for directors and company secretaries, who serve as the guardians of corporate governance and the custodians of stakeholder trust. These pivotal roles demand a profound understanding of moral obligations, transparent practices, and the ability to navigate intricate dilemmas that can impact an organization's reputation, financial stability, and long-term viability. This comprehensive training course is meticulously designed to equip current and aspiring board members and governance professionals with the essential frameworks and practical strategies to champion ethical conduct at the highest levels.

This 5-day intensive program will empower participants to cultivate a deep understanding of fiduciary duties, master ethical decision-making in governance, and refine their ability to lead with transparency and accountability. You will learn to identify and manage conflicts of interest, ensure compliance with evolving ethical standards, and foster a culture of integrity that permeates every aspect of corporate operations. By mastering these critical competencies, you will enhance your capacity to protect your organization's ethical standing, ensure robust governance, and drive its sustainable success through principled leadership.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience

• Board Members (Executive and Non-Executive)
• Company Secretaries
• Assistant Company Secretaries
• Governance Professionals
• Legal Counsel advising Boards
• Compliance Officers
• Ethics Officers
• Senior Executives preparing for Board roles
• Internal Auditors
• Risk Management Professionals

Objectives

• Understand the foundational principles of ethics and integrity for directors and company secretaries.
• Develop a strong ethical compass for navigating complex boardroom dilemmas.
• Master strategies for identifying and managing conflicts of interest.
• Learn to foster a culture of transparency and accountability in governance.
• Cultivate ethical leadership and decision-making in high-stakes situations.
• Enhance understanding of regulatory and legal frameworks related to board ethics.
• Develop effective communication strategies for ethical standards and policies.
• Understand the role of whistleblowing and internal investigations in ethical governance.
• Create a personalized action plan for championing ethics in their governance roles.

Course Modules

Module 1: The Ethical Mandate of Directors and Company Secretaries

• Defining the ethical responsibilities and legal duties of directors.
• Understanding the company secretary's role as a guardian of governance and ethics.
• Exploring the impact of ethical conduct on corporate reputation and stakeholder trust.
• The importance of personal integrity and moral courage in leadership.
• Case studies of ethical challenges faced by boards.

Module 2: Ethical Decision-Making in the Boardroom

• A systematic approach to analyzing and resolving ethical dilemmas in governance.
• Tools for ethical analysis tailored for board-level decisions.
• Understanding cognitive biases that can influence ethical judgment.
• Strategies for promoting objective and principled decision-making.
• Practical exercises in resolving complex ethical scenarios.

Module 3: Identifying and Managing Conflicts of Interest

• Understanding various types of conflicts of interest (actual, potential, perceived).
• Developing robust policies and procedures for conflict disclosure and management.
• Strategies for navigating related-party transactions ethically.
• The role of independent directors in overseeing conflicts.
• Best practices for maintaining impartiality and objectivity.

Module 4: Transparency, Disclosure, and Accountability

• The importance of full and timely disclosure in corporate governance.
• Strategies for enhancing transparency in board operations and decision-making.
• Developing clear accountability frameworks for directors and management.
• The role of annual reports and other public disclosures in building trust.
• Ensuring ethical communication with shareholders and stakeholders.

Module 5: Regulatory Compliance and Ethical Governance

• Overview of key corporate governance regulations and their ethical implications.
• Understanding anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws.
• Data privacy regulations and ethical data handling at the board level.
• The role of compliance programs in mitigating legal and ethical risks.
• Navigating international governance standards and cross-border operations.

Module 6: Whistleblower Protection and Internal Investigations

• The board's role in overseeing whistleblower policies and mechanisms.
• Understanding legal and ethical obligations for protecting those who report misconduct.
• Best practices for ensuring fair and thorough internal investigations.
• Strategies for managing sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality.
• Learning from investigations to strengthen ethical controls.

Module 7: Fostering an Ethical Governance Culture

• Strategies for embedding ethical values throughout the organization from the top.
• Developing and communicating a robust code of conduct for all employees.
• The role of the board and company secretary in championing ethical training and awareness.
• Promoting psychological safety to encourage a speak-up culture.
• Creating a personalized action plan for continuous ethical leadership in governance.

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.