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

I am a Consultant Psychiatrist for NHS Wales, Training Program Director for Core Psychiatry with Health Education & Improvement Wales and a board member for Mind Cymru, which is part of the national Mind mental health charity. My former professional experience included being the director of post graduate medical education and as a clinical director & lecturer. 

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

I had always been “street smart” but never quite “book smart” from a governance perspective which is something that I had the desire to finally change. I also needed to have a credible and very well-respected governance qualification that could be applied to broader areas, not just healthcare. 

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

The Diploma in Corporate Governance is a comprehensive, robust qualification. The course is delivered in a way that’s convenient and I never felt as if I was just ingesting the material. The affordable price was also a factor in choosing the course.

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

The ESG aspects of the Corporate Governance Diploma were very useful as well as the topics on succession planning and dealing with board dynamics. 

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

Good clinical governance is not far removed from good corporate governance, so I’m able to apply it directly to my leadership roles in the NHS. I feel far more confident and credible in my current charitable board role and at ease applying for a future NED post.

How has it improved decision-making or performance within your organisation?

The Diploma in Corporate Governance has helped me systematise my decision-making even more, while also allowing me to apply the principles of transparency and accountability to how I organise teams in the organisation.

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

The most beneficial aspect about the course for me was that it was flexible.

What advice would you give future learners wishing to pursue the Diploma in Corporate Governance?

I would try to get some practical real-world committee or governance experience before doing the course so you come armed with some prior knowledge and understand the issues that the course is aiming to address. I experienced a few “Ah-ha!” moments myself when I realised why we were doing things on committee the way we were. 

How likely are you to recommend our certifications to a colleague?

5/5