Corporate Governance Training Gains Momentum in Saudi Arabia

Vision Invest, a leading Saudi Arabian Development and Investment Holding Company, has undertaken the complete certification programme on corporate governance and board effectiveness for team members of its executive management and those of its subsidiaries through the GCC Board Directors Institute (GCC BDI) Certified Board Director programme run in collaboration with the Financial Academy.

In doing so, it has become the GCC BDI’s first member organisation in the region to benefit from in-house training for its directors and executive management team through GCC BDI’s pioneering Director Development Programme (DDP), reflecting its extensive commitment to practising strong institutionalized corporate governance and board effectiveness.

Vision Invest’s Certified Directors, who all had to pass the certification exam run by the Financial Academy, recently celebrated this achievement at a virtual graduation ceremony hosted by GCC BDI.

The Certified Director designation is awarded to individuals who have successfully completed the GCC BDI programme and who have thus demonstrated an internationally accepted level of understanding of corporate governance, the role of the board and the director, strategy, risk, ethics, accounting, finance, internal controls and corporate reporting.  The programme is designed to meet the development needs of existing, new and aspiring directors and board committees.

Omar N. Al-Midani CEO, Vision Invest, said: “The GCC BDI Director Certification Programme was an important investment for Vision Invest in shaping our corporate governance mindset and reinforcing Institutionalised Governance, one of our five core values.  The Programme will help our directors and executive management team to become more proficient in their roles, and we hope in doing so to add measurable value to their colleagues, our investments and the business community as a whole.”

Jane Valls, Executive Director of GCC Board Directors Institute, said: “Now more than ever, good governance practices are proving critical in enabling professionals to navigate the current COVID19 situation.  Having professionals that can serve the boards in the region and create greater shareholder value and investment attractiveness will help organisations in Saudi Arabia to ensure business continuity.  We are proud that Vision Invest understands the importance and need for corporate governance and has invested in upskilling its directors through offering them this programme.”