Boards today face greater scrutiny than at any point in recent history. Investors, regulators, lenders and the public expect clear accountability for strategy, risk, culture and results. At the same time, many directors, particularly in state corporations, family firms and non-profits, take their seats without a formal grounding in what effective oversight requires.

The Strategic Corporate Governance & Board Effectiveness Training Course sets out the principles and practical habits of high-performing boards. Participants begin with governance theory and codes of practice, then examine fiduciary duties, the relationship between chair and chief executive, and the structure of the board and its committees. They continue with strategy oversight, risk appetite, internal audit and assurance, remuneration, succession and the handling of ethics and conflicts of interest.

The closing sessions look at how a board measures its own performance. Participants study methods for board and director evaluation, ways to improve information flow and meeting quality, and approaches to reporting and engagement with stakeholders. Discussion is based on short board scenarios and governance failures, and each person completes a health check of their own board to guide a practical improvement plan.

Participants who complete the programme will be able to:

• Explain the legal, fiduciary and ethical duties of directors.
• Distinguish the roles of the board, chair, chief executive and company secretary.
• Design a board and committee structure suited to the organisation.
• Oversee the development and delivery of strategy.
• Assess risk appetite, internal control and assurance arrangements.
• Manage conflicts of interest and promote an ethical culture.
• Evaluate board and director performance and plan improvements.
• Communicate effectively with shareholders and other stakeholders.

The programme will benefit people who sit on, advise or report to boards, including:

• Non-executive and executive directors
• Board chairs and committee chairs
• Chief executives and managing directors
• Company secretaries and corporate governance officers
• Audit and risk committee members
• Senior managers who prepare board papers
• Trustees of foundations, NGOs and SACCOs
• Representatives on state corporation boards
• Legal and compliance advisers to boards

Delegates return with:

• A completed health check of their board's structure and practice.
• A model annual calendar covering strategy, risk and performance reviews.
• Terms of reference outlines for the main board committees.
• A board evaluation questionnaire they can adapt.
• A conflicts of interest declaration and management procedure.
• A short list of improvement actions to table with their chair.

Programme design respects the experience of senior participants:

• Facilitated peer discussion rather than extended lecturing
• Short governance failure cases from Africa and beyond
• Simulated board meetings with rotating chair and secretary roles
• Practical diagnostic tools completed on participants' own boards
• Confidential reflection time to agree personal commitments

A CPD-accredited Certificate of Completion from Vision Reach Global Consultancy is issued to participants who attend and take part in the practical exercises.