Dear All
I write to wish all of our Members, Friends, Corporate Partners and Supporters a very Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year.
Reflecting on the last year, there are a notably high number of references to questionable and probably irresponsible corporate behaviour in our society. This coupled with “light touch” regulation has caused the Corporate Governance Association of Ireland to host a series of seminars on a thematic basis which aim to take a fresh look at our Moral Compass for which it is suggested, is in need of redress. These seminars provide an opportunity to network with like-minded individuals who want the opportunity to hear from academics and practitioners.
Our seminars started with our Diversity and Inclusion event in February 2016 sponsored by Grant Thornton. Over 100 delegates attended and a lively insightful panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Margaret Cullen from the Institute of Banking and included Margaret Sweeney from Dalata plc and PostBank, Eilish Finan from JP Morgan and New Ireland Assurance, Susan Dargan from State Street and Danny McCoy from IBEC.
After the AGM in May 2016, we had a social event to welcome the Graduates from the UCD Class of 2016 who successfully completed the UCD Diploma in Corporate Governance.
Our Charity and Not for Profit event was next in September 2016. This was kindly sponsored by Beauchamps Solicitors and the near 90 delegates heard from John Farrelly, CEO, The Charities Regulator, Mark Pery-Knox Gore of Beauchamps and Teresa McColgan of PwC on the challenges facing this sector.
The Governance Framework in which Tourism operates in October 2016 was addressed by Shane Clarke, Tourism Ireland followed by a panel discussion with Jim Flannery, International Tourism Specialist, Ray Dolan of Safe Foods and Donal Reddington from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
In November 2016, Marie Sinnott of ESB spoke on the subject of Crisis Management in the utility and the hallmarks of good crisis management were debated by Ita Gibney of Gibney Communications and Bernie Grey of Better Boards.
As the year came to a close, Beauchamps Solicitors kindly hosted a Christmas Social on 6 December, 2016 and on 9 December, 2016 an EGM was held at the RDS Members Club which resolved to conform the CGAI Constitution to the requirements of the Companies Act, 2014.
For 2017, we will continue to provide the opportunity for members to attend thought leadership seminars which will look at the culture of corporate governance in Ireland in the areas of Agriculture, Banking, Education, Funds, Health, Human Resources, I.T., Journalism, Not- for-Profit, Sport and State Boards. Further details will be available on the cgai website - refer www.cgai.ie.
December 2016
www.cgai.ie
To this end, we would ask you to renew your membership if you have not already done so and I invite you to contact me if you want to provide feedback or have any ideas for a seminar.
For those who are interested in pursuing a post graduate qualification in corporate governance, I encourage you to consider (i) the UCD Diploma in Corporate Governance1 and our continued thanks to Prof. Niamh Brennan, (ii) the IPA Professional Certificate in Governance2 and our continued thanks to Paul Turpin or (iii) the IPA Doctorate in Governance3 and our continued thanks to Dr. Michael Mulreany.
Finally, on your behalf, may I offer a special word of thanks to Members of the CGAI Board (namely Pat Downes, Emer Moriarty Crowley, Pat McArdle, Alacoque McMenamin, Heather Nesbitt and Sean Quigley. Together, we are committed to serving you our Members. Have a great 2017!
NOTICES
From time to time, various organisations including State Boards reach out to us for support to fill Board positions. Please see two below which we have been asked to bring to your attention - if you are interested, please email [email protected] and you will be sent further details.
DRINKAWARE
Drinkaware is a not for profit organisation governed by a board of independent Directors. Our mission is to work with others to fundamentally and permanently change attitudes and behaviours so that drinking to excess and drinking underage become unacceptable. We do this by raising awareness, creating understanding and supporting behaviour change through evidence-led education and effective communications. Following a period of business renewal that included restructuring, appointing a new CEO and Chair and implementing a series of business improvement initiatives, Drinkaware is now looking for two Board Members with the skills to help the organisation deliver its new goals. Refer www.drinkaware.ie
THE ARK
This Board position requires a Board member who will contribute their expertise and advice in relation to the financial management and governance of the organisation in relation to audits, compliance and management accounts. This appointee will be a member of the audit committee and the governance committee supporting the Board and Executive in terms of best practice for these specific areas. This Board member will also participate in decision making and discussion on all other Board matters. Refer www.ark.ie
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About CGAI |
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The Corporate Governance Association of Ireland was founded in 2006 by graduates of the first class of the UCD Diploma in Corporate Governance. Membership is open to experienced business professionals who hold post-graduate qualifications in corporate governance discipline from academic programmes recognised by our council. The CGAI has a subscribed membership which is dedicated to promoting if not excelling the best standards of corporate governance. Many of the members hold Senior Executive, Partner or Director positions as well as non-Executive positions (and often on State Boards). Those who fall into the latter categories often reference their membership of the CGAI as an accredited membership which is positive. The CGAI is an independent Association which seeks to promote the highest standards of corporate governance by adhering to the Association’s Code of Professional Conduct and facilitating the ongoing professional development of our members |