Tell us about your professional experience before discovering the Corporate Governance Institute.

I had a very long and successful career as a Managing Partner of a Big 4 Professional Services Firm for 12 years. I worked with this same firm for 27 years. In 2022, I decided to take early retirement from the firm to start a new career as a Non-Executive Director. During my career with the firm, I worked with many large corporates providing advisory and consulting services on business strategy, tax, financial management, executive recruitment, staff training, policy advocacy, and so on. My main motivation to change my career was the opportunity to apply the vast knowledge and experience I obtained over my 27 years in a Big 4 Firm to a board room as an independent non-executive director.

What challenges or opportunities were you facing in your career or on your board before taking our course?

Although I had a lot of experience in areas of governance, oversight, risk management, strategy development, performance management, and so on, I provided advice to clients on these various aspects of their businesses usually on a stand-alone basis. It was based on the client’s specific needs and scope of services working with various individual subject matter experts. 

So to build my new career as a Non-Executive Director, I wanted a professional course in corporate governance that brought all these aspects together where I could apply them in a real-life business environment.

Why did you choose to study for the Diploma in Corporate Governance with us to help with these challenges/opportunities?

I chose to study for the Diploma in Corporate Governance after a very detailed consideration of the course content set out in the brochure, as well as reading the testimonies of the many people who had studied the course. The diploma is accredited by Glasgow Caledonian University and this too was instrumental for me when I compared it with other courses.

Can you describe any particular elements of the course that stood out to you or made a significant impact?

The case study series in all modules, with the real-life practical situations and simulations, stood out to me. The other elements that I found very useful and able to apply straightaway in my current role as a director/board member were the modules on Culture, Governance Architecture and Strategy

How has completing this course influenced your career, leadership approach, or governance or ESG skills?

Many of my colleagues who knew me as a Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA) and Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) are pleasantly surprised when I describe myself as a Corporate Governance Professional holding a Diploma in Corporate Governance. This has fast-tracked my career progression so much so that I now chair the boards of three of the five companies I serve on as a Non-Executive Director. This happened in less than three years.

What did you find most beneficial about studying with the Corporate Governance Institute?

Gaining and achieving a University Accredited Professional Qualification in Corporate Governance, over and above my various professional qualifications in Accounting, Finance and Taxation.