22 February 2010

Guernsey : IoD seminar to debate responsibilities of directors

The Institute of Directors’ next seminar will consider the responsibilities of directors in an increasingly uncertain and ever changing business world.

This, the third of four seminars in the Yorkshire Guernsey sponsored series, will briefly discuss the GFSC’s recently published Code of Corporate Governance consultation paper for the island. However, it is intended to focus more broadly on the behaviour of directors, the decisions they make and the growing pressures they face.

Events over the past 18 months and the current vulnerability of the financial market have made it clear that corporate governance can no longer be sidelined. The debate will explore the risks confronting directors and how well equipped they are to manage them. With reputation a key influencer of business, directors and their boards need to be sure they are taking the right advice whilst maintaining a high level of professionalism and integrity.

It is important that lessons are learnt, and the seminar will look closely at what effect greater governance will have on boards and directors in the island as well as investors. While Guernsey’s draft Code of Corporate Governance seeks to be a formal expression of good practice and guidance, there is a fear that globally this will result in more regulation and legislation as opposed to a change in behaviour.

Chairman of the Guernsey branch of the IoD, Mark Thompson felt that given the huge response to the GFSC working party’s draft code, this was clearly at the forefront of directors’ and practitioners’ minds, proving to be an emotive subject.

The economic downturn has certainly brought corporate governance into sharp focus and is yet another test for the island, but the real challenge for us is the action we choose to take. This is not about ticking boxes,” he said.

The panel line-up is a reflection of the seriousness this topic holds for the island. Chairing the session will be Carol Goodwin, author of the recent Guernsey Code of Corporate Governance consultation paper.

Tim Copnell, is the founder director of the KPMG sponsored UK Audit Committee Institute (ACI). He specialises in advising UK boards on corporate governance matters and, through the ACI, delivers 40 non-executive director professional development events each year.

Mr Copnell will be focusing on what lessons have been learnt from the fallout in the financial markets, and more specifically, the impact of the Walker Review and The Combined Code. He will review what these changes mean for directors and how their behaviour and responsibilities impact globally.

Advocate Ian Kirk heads up the Commercial Department at Collas Day and was also a member of the Code of Corporate Governance practitioner working party. Ian has been involved in many of the largest and most complex corporate transactions in Guernsey in recent years and is a regular speaker on company law, corporate governance, directors' duties and financial services regulation.

Advocate Kirk will look at how the downturn has put good governance under the spotlight. He will concentrate on the risks directors face and how they can best mitigate the risks they face.

Sitting alongside him will be Paul Meader, Chief Executive of the Corazon Capital group and Chairman of the Guernsey International Business Association. Mr Meader acts as an independent director of a number of investment management companies and investment funds. Mr Meader will seek to focus on the practical implications of good corporate governance in Guernsey, what that means for organisations and what that means for directors and shareholders, drawing on his experience as a director of companies in Guernsey and elsewhere, finance and non-finance.

The seminar will take place at the Duke of Richmond Hotel on Friday 26th February from 12pm to 2pm. To book a place, please contact Mark Palfrey on 01481 254262

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