Guernsey, 22 October 2014 – These days, trust and transparency, or the lack of them, is headline news. But if you are running an organisation – a company, a charity, a public body or a school - who do you ask to help you put the right governance arrangements in place? Where does the responsibility lie?
At ICSA, the chartered membership and qualifying body for professionals working in governance, risk and compliance, including company secretaries and administrators, we believe that governance is a board level responsibility and that the primary responsibility for the implementation of good governance practices lies with the company secretary.
On 4 November, ICSA is coming to the Old Government House Hotel in St Peter Port to host a briefing and networking event for members of the financial community in Guernsey and the surrounding area. ICSA Policy & Research Director Peter Swabey will share the findings of recent research by Henley Business School into how company secretaries help organisations build trust through governance. He will also lead a panel discussion with non-executive director Anne Ewing and Chairman of the Guernsey International Business Association Peter Mills on the value of the company secretary and their impact in the boardroom.
“Company secretaries hold leadership positions dealing with complexity, confusion, and ambiguity, all of which need resolutions that satisfy the elected board and appointed executive,” according to Professor Andrew Kakabadse, lead author of the research. Nevertheless, as Peter points out “One of the challenges the company secretarial profession faces is that the role is frequently misunderstood. As a recent article in The Sunday Times pointed out, company secretaries have the skills to be good non-executive directors but are usually overlooked for the role. This event will help to change people’s perceptions of the contribution a company secretary can make.”
The event will be of particular interest to executives and non-executive directors, chairmen, risk and compliance officers, finance and HR directors and company secretaries. “We will offer practical insights into how to get the most out of the company secretary role in your organisation, the impact on the role of changes in your sector and the effect they are having for all players in the boardroom,” says ICSA Guernsey Branch Chair Tom Lancaster-King. “This is not merely an opportunity for company secretaries, rather we would like to bring together all of the key players in the governance community to discuss these findings and to consider how this will impact the wider business, not-for-profit and public sector environment.”
Guests will be welcomed from 6pm for a 6.30pm start and the conversation will continue informally over drinks after the presentation - an ideal opportunity to meet colleagues and find out more about improving governance and building trust in organisations. The event is free to attend, but booking is essential. Places can be booked online here.
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For further information, please contact Maria Brookes, Media Relations Manager:
mbrookes@icsa.org.uk
+44 (0)20 7612 7072
+44 (0)7890 649 143
Notes to Editors:
1 ICSA (Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators) is the chartered membership and qualifying body for professionals working in governance, risk and compliance, including company secretaries. Our members work in all sectors and at every level of seniority. With over 120 years of experience, we champion high governance standards by providing qualifications, training, high-quality guidance and support (including technical resources, publications and software), and through our work with regulators and policy makers.
Website: www.icsa.org.uk
2 ICSA Guernsey Branch represents the interests of over 400 members and students in the Bailiwick. Members are qualified as Chartered Secretaries who have completed the Institute’s rigorous examinations and work as administration, governance, risk, and compliance professionals. Students study towards the Certificate and Diploma in Offshore Finance and Administration before completing the Chartered Secretaries Qualifying Scheme, with modules including accounting, law, investments, business management, and governance.
Website: www.icsaguernsey.com
3 For background information, or to download a copy of the Henley research, visit: www.icsa.org.uk/cosecreport
4 To hear Professor Andrew Kakabadse, of Henley Business School, discuss the Company Secretary Report's key findings, watch the video below:
