Corporate Secretaries Toolkit Launch - csiaorg.com

1 Co-organiser:Global Toolkit Sponsor:Gold Sponsors:Lanyard Sponsor: Corporate Secretaries Toolkit LaunchSupporting Organisation:CLP 1 09/04/2014 10:51 AMPartners, sponsors, guests, and members - welcome! We are delighted to see so many of you here today to help celebrate the coming to market of CSIA s latest governance initiative, the Corporate Secretaries Toolkit (CS Toolkit ).CSIA is all about sound Corporate governance. We like nothing better than debating latest industry trends, sounding out the challenges brought about by regulatory changes, and identifying initiatives to improve the governance profession worldwide.

2 This pursuit for a universal common standard epitomises our aims and helps to explain the need behind the production of the CS Toolkit . acknowledging a need in emerging markets and developing countries, CSIA partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to develop training materials for Corporate Secretaries . The CS Toolkit has been designed as a practical guide for governance professionals and this is where its true value lies. It covers the full spectrum of a Corporate secretary s duties - those that are at the core of a company s governance structure.

3 The essential principles are non jurisdictional and universally applied to listed and unlisted companies and to the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. The CS Toolkit has been well received as a world-class product, already in high demand. Participants of pilot workshops have expressed their appreciation for its practical value and use of the Experiential Learning Cycle; for this we are indebted to the IFC and their expertise, and value highly the partnership that has developed as a result of this venture. CSIA is immensely grateful for the support given to us by our sponsors and supporting partners.

4 Our gratitude goes out to the Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries , CLP Holdings Ltd for its investment in the CS Toolkit , Computershare, Thomson Reuters Accelus, Broadridge, BoardVantage, Tricor Services Ltd, and Astus Services Group all whom have made this Launch possible. For this, CSIA is beholden to a great evening and thank you again for your WesselsCSIA PresidentApril 2014 Pursuing a Global Gold StandardcertaintyingenuityadvantageCompu tershare Investor Services LimitedProud supporter of the CSIA and the leading provider of> Share Registry> Proxy Solicitation and Shareholder ID> Employee Share PlansFor more information contact us at is pleased to present the Corporate Secretaries Toolkit in partnership with the Corporate Secretaries International Association.

5 The Toolkit provides training and guidance materials covering the full spectrum of the Corporate Secretary s role, functions and responsibilities and draws on examples from both developed and emerging markets. The Toolkit is based on IFC s Corporate Governance Board Leadership Training Resources which constitutes an integral reference for the Corporate Secretaries training, and can be adapted to local circumstances and conditions given its modular format. The Corporate Secretaries Toolkit was developed in response to strong demand from companies and institutions in emerging markets for practical training and skills development in the practice of a Corporate secretary which for many of these markets is a recent concept with little foundation on which to base the role of this critical governance IFC, evidence in our work with companies demonstrates that good Corporate governance enhances their performance and increases their value.

6 It helps companies operate more efficiently, improves their access to capital, mitigates risk and safeguards against mismanagement, making companies more accountable and transparent to investors. Good Corporate governance is a prerequisite for addressing broader stakeholder concerns on environmental and social dimensions of growth and development David Jackson, the Company Secretary of BP said in 2008: In today s world, the role of the company secretary lies at the heart of the governance systems of companies and is receiving ever greater focus. This is ever more relevant today given the significant surge in demand for training offered with this new Toolkit .

7 Companies around the world recognize the important role that the Corporate secretary can provide in giving professional guidance and direction to boards and management on good Corporate governance ArmstrongHead, IFC Global Corporate Governance ForumApril 2014 Focus on Corporate GovernanceResponding to strong demand in emerging markets and developing countries for training for Corporate Secretaries , the Corporate Secretaries International Association (CSIA) has partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to develop training materials, based on the Corporate Governance Board Leadership Training Resources.

8 This publication has been called The Corporate Secretaries Toolkit (CS Toolkit ). Corporate Secretaries are a catalyst for implementing good governance in companies business practices, organisational culture, and strategic affairs. In modern business, Corporate Secretaries have become key to the efficiency and effectiveness of board processes and the smooth running of the company s legal and Corporate advisory department; they are more commonly described as the Governance Advisor.

9 In this role, the Corporate secretary must keep current with the legal and regulatory requirements relevant to the company, and must also be able to give impartial advice and support to directors, particularly the chairman of the CS Toolkit provides trainers with materials and instructions for conducting training for Corporate Secretaries . Participants in the training may include individuals who are not certified as Corporate Secretaries but who carry out some or all of the related duties in the Corporate secretarial and compliance CS Toolkit covers the full spectrum of a Corporate secretary s role, function, and remit of responsibilities - those that are at the core of a company s governance structure and ecosystems.

10 It aims to clarify the duties of Corporate Secretaries , develop their skills, and emphasize their role in developing good Corporate governance practices in their organisations, in line with their country s code on Corporate Governance. The essential principles are universally applied to listed and unlisted companies and to the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. The CS Toolkit provides a portfolio of workshops that cover topics of interest and value to those carrying out the role of a Corporate secretary and to the organisations they serve.