Contact hours

12-15 hours

Qualification

Professional certificate

Certificate Fee

€1,695

Format

Online, self paced

How to quickly upskill with company secretary training

The increasing call for corporate governance transparency is putting the role of the company secretary in the spotlight. Fast-track your company secretary skills. Stay ahead of the competition with a globally recognised, industry-approved qualification from the global standard in corporate governance education.

Short course

An effective company secretary with the right skills is essential on every board. Set yourself apart in four modules equivalent to two days of training.

Cost-effective

Don’t let cost implications stall your professional development. Choose to maintain momentum in your career.

Fundamentals

Start implementing and solidifying proven good corporate governance practices on your board.

Globally recognised, industry-approved. Awarded by the Corporate Governance Institute

Accelerate your company secretary skills today. Gain a competitive edge with the in-demand skills and insights boards are seeking now.

What delegates say about our courses:

“The Diploma in Corporate Governance was excellent. It was an eye opener for me and I learnt an immense amount from the course and tutors.”

Raj Kambo

Delegate

“Excellent programme, content very relevant to existing and aspiring board members. Excellent support provided by the team in CGI and the online format worked very well.”

Audrey Boyde

Delegate

“There was plenty of help and support available and patience as I engaged and learned. Very much appreciated the materials, delivery, and support.”

David Moore

Delegate

“Challenging course but well delivered by an excellent team. Course materials very professional and lectures from a high calibre team with vast practical experience.”

John Hennessy

Delegate

What you’ll learn in each module

The Company Secretary professional certificate will give you the essential and practical knowledge you need to fast-track your role on the board. You will learn through a mix of case studies, interactive exercises, written content and videos with experts.

Module 1

Module 2

Module 3

Module 4

The Effective Company Secretary

Deepen your understanding of the role of the company secretary on the board. Examine how crucial its function is to the successful operation of the board. In this module you’ll cover:

Roles and responsibilities: Gain a deep understanding of the various roles of the company secretary.
Leadership: Learn how to effectively model good leadership behaviour.
Relationship management: Discover how to build good relations with key stakeholders and the board.
Technology in the boardroom: Understand the company secretary’s role in adopting new technology in the boardroom.

How you’ll apply your learning

Determine whether the board and its directors are performing their legal responsibilities.
Identify if the organisation is maintaining appropriate governance systems and processes.
Examine if the board papers are contributing to effective decision making.

Speaker on this topic

Gerry Egan

Experienced chairman, company director and company secretary with over 30 years of experience.

Corporate Governance Architecture - The Essentials

Take an in-depth look at what’s needed to develop the right governance structures for your organisation and the frameworks needed for success. In this module you’ll cover:

Roles and responsibilities: Fully understand different board roles and the expected responsibilities of each director.
Committees: Explore different types of committees, their purpose and what they look like in practice.
Executive team: Learn what needs to be in place to turn heads of function into an effective executive team.
Characteristics: Understand the characteristics of each board role and how to identify their impact.

How you’ll apply your learning

Identify the importance of having a governance structure and what it looks like when it’s done well.
Fully understand what a board committee is and what’s expected of it.
Confidently speak about the functions and purpose of different types of board committees.

Speaker on this topic

Diarmaid O’Corrbui

CEO of Carmichael

Governance Building Blocks: The Handbook and Reporting

Clearly understand what the governance handbook is and the purpose of board policies. Learn the importance of good reporting practices and the tools to assist. In this module you’ll cover:

Governance handbook overview: Discover the purpose of the governance handbook and what it needs to include to make governance function effectively daily.
Board policies: Explore the essential policies that make up a good governance handbook.
Board reporting: Elevate your knowledge of why reliable and accurate performance reporting, that includes ESG reporting, is critical for directors.
Technology and AI: Learn how technology and AI tools are being used to enhance the reporting process.

How you’ll apply your learning

Describe the key components of the governance handbook and its role in guiding corporate governance best practice.
Identify common board policies included in the governance handbook and the purpose they serve within the governance framework.
Explain the foundations of good governance reporting practices.

Speaker on this topic

Ruth Odih

Assistant Company Secretary at Centrica Plc

ESG for Directors and Executive Leaders

Bring your knowledge of ESG to the next level with this in depth insight into how environmental, social and governance factors impact business. In this module you’ll cover:

Key concepts: Gain a solid understanding of ESG and understand the opportunities it creates.
Investing: Learn how organisations are effectively approaching ESG.
Data: Be clear about the need for quality ESG data and how to interpret it.
Performance: Learn how to persuade the board to build an ESG integrated organisation.

How you’ll apply your learning

Fully understand how your board can navigate the changing landscape of ESG.
Identify how your organisation can develop a strategic approach to ESG.
Determine how you can build an ESG framework that is future-proofed.

Speaker on this topic

Rhea Albuquerque

ESG Lead and Head of Product Development at the Corporate Governance Institute.

Learn through a mix of:

Case studies
Expert speaker videos
Discussion groups
Interactive Q&A videos
Knowledge checks
Course material

Don't fall behind

Accelerate your company secretary skills in just four comprehensive modules.

Buy Now

Rapidly acquire the skills and knowledge you need to lead.

Diploma in Corporate Governance

Diploma in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

Overview of ESG