CED to host corporate Governance workshop

The Centre for Enterprise Development Inc. (CED) through its Business Gateway Project will next month host two one-day workshops on Corporate Governance.{{more}}

Facilitators from the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange Ltd (ECSE) will conduct the sessions.

The workshops, scheduled for December 7 and 8, will be held under the theme “An Introduction to the Governance of Corporations”.

Business Development Officer Margaret Lewis-John said the workshop targets managers of businesses and members of boards of directors, and will introduce participants to the principles of Corporate Governance. It will also provide an insight into some of the issues involved in the governance of public and private businesses.

“Each one-day workshop will be divided into four sessions, and a final closing panel,” she explained.

“The first session will focus on introductory corporate governance concepts, the role of directors and the board. The second session will focus on the relationships between directors and managements and that of the board and shareholders,” said Lewis-John. She stated the post-lunch sessions will cover business issues with which directors must be concerned. These will include financial issues and risk management and strategy.

The workshops will end with a final panel, which will seek to synthesize the concepts considered during the day and to look at current initiatives in the region, Lewis-John outlined.

Noting its importance, Lewis-John explained that Corporate Governance involves a system of ensuring that checks and balances are in place for the effective functioning of businesses.

“Many times, persons are appointed to boards who may not have had the necessary training in terms of required knowledge and expertise to really understand their roles, make valid contributions and help the business to achieve its objectives. So people make mistakes and the reputation of the business may come into question,” Lewis-John said.

She said that directors are supposed to be able to play a strategic role in helping the business to position itself.

“They must be able to contribute in setting the direction for growth of the business, monitor its financial performance and the success of the products that it’s offering. Through exposure to Corporate Governance training, directors can become better at what they do and if they are, then the businesses also become better at what they do,” Lewis-John explained.

Each one-day workshop will run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the NIS Conference Room, Kingstown.

Persons interested in attending the sessions are reminded that there is a registration fee and to contact the CED to make arrangements.