Module 1: Introduction to corporate governance

• Build a solid understanding of what corporate governance is, its history and how it benefits organisations around the world.
• Identify the fundamental principles of good governance, its key indicators and the role of leadership in good corporate governance.
• Describe basic governance structures and the relationships between key actors within this structure.
• Explore the global trends of ESG, emerging technology such as AI and diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) and how they’re influencing corporate governance.
• Understand the relationship between company law, shareholders, the board and the executive, and the governance handbook.

Module 2: The company directore

• Look at the duties and responsibilities of a director to fully understand what’s involved in making a real impact.
• Describe a company director's regulatory obligations, the skills of an ideal director, and the appointment and removal process of a company director.
• Fully understand the critical topics of regulation, the governance code and directors and officers insurance in the context of director liability.
• Explore key aspects of board governance, including nomination processes, onboarding considerations, compensation concerns, best practices, evaluation and succession planning.

Module 3: Governance architecture

• Learn why the governance structure of every organisation is unique and why that matters.
• Explore the roles, responsibilities and dynamics among the different members of the board.
• Understand how to develop appropriate governance structures for your organisation.
• Identify and start using the right frameworks for successful good governance.

Module 4: The governance handbook and reporting

• Discover the purpose of the governance handbook and what it needs to include to make governance function effectively daily.
• Explore the essential policies that make up a good governance handbook.
• Elevate your knowledge of why reliable and accurate performance reporting, that includes ESG reporting, is critical for directors.
• Get familiar with what best-in-class and user-friendly financial reporting looks like.
• Understand the link between informed, evidence-based decisions and effective reporting.
• Learn how technology and AI tools are being used to enhance the reporting process.

Module 5: Culture

• Discover how the culture of the organisation is shaped by the board and the executive team through good decision making.
• Learn about the power of aligning the culture of the board with the organisation and its strategy.
• Identify ways to influence the company culture so that it adheres to relatable values and ethics.
• Describe toxic board culture and how to navigate these situations on a board.

Module 6: Strategy

• Clearly understand how to use comprehensive tools for strategy development and implementation, including incorporating ESG strategy.
• Explore the different stages of developing an effective strategy.
• Learn how to implement a strategy that is realistic and achievable.
• Be confident in challenging the strategy where it’s needed.

Module 7: Financial matters

• Be competent in interpreting financial statements presented to the board.
• Examine how to ask the right questions so that your critique of the financial statements is thorough.
• Explore the challenges and resolutions for organisations in difficult financial positions.
• Clearly understand the intersection of ESG investing and financial decision-making.

Module 8: Risk

• Learn the fundamentals of risk and the role of the board in mitigating potential risk.
• Determine what is an appropriate risk response for the board and what is an appropriate risk appetite for the board to have.
• Gain a firm understanding of crisis and reputation management, risk culture, cyber, AI and how to manage ESG risks.
• Be able to provide proper oversight of risk by knowing how to identify emerging trends.

Module 9: Board evaluationss

• Discover why good practices are needed around the ongoing evaluation of the board’s performance, individual directors, and the CEO.
• Learn how to initiate and implement an evaluation of the board internally and how to set up an external evaluation.
• Identify tools, including AI, to carry out evaluations of the board, individual directors and the CEO.

Module 10: The non-executive director (NED)

• Learn how to carefully plan your career move to becoming a NED.
• Identify ways to promote your personal brand through networking and becoming more visible within your peer network.
• Discover how to prepare for interviews and how to carry out detailed research of organisations you may consider working with.

• You need to complete two online assessments to achieve your Diploma in Corporate Governance qualification.
• Each assessment is 90 minutes long.
• Assessment 1 takes place after module 5 and includes 75 multiple-choice style questions.
• Assessment 2 takes place after module 10 and includes 75 multiple-choice style questions.
• You can complete each assessment at a time that suits you.