Enabling globally minded company secretaries: The Corporate Secretaries International Association

Transcription

1 Enabling globally minded company secretaries: The Corporate Secretaries International Association The 6 th Premier Corporate Governance Conference Johannesburg September 2014 Carina Wessels

2 OVERVIEW Introduction to the Corporate Secretaries International Association (CSIA) Publications / products Twenty practical steps to better Corporate Governance Governance principles for Corporate Secretaries Corporate Secretaries Toolkit Conferences and round tables Current initiatives and activities

3 CORPORATE SECRETARIES INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION International Federation of professional bodies Launched at the World Bank in Paris on 22 March 2010 GFC Increased focus on corporate failures and corporate governance Increased role of corporate secretaries and governance professionals Founding members Australia China India Southern Africa United Kingdom Geneva incorporated non profit company with administrative office in Hong Kong 19 Members, representing > corporate secretaries and governance professionals in > 80 countries worldwide Recognised by the OECD as the global voice for the industry

4 Mission: To develop and grow the study and practice of secretaryship, to improve professional standards, the quality of governance practice and organisational performance Vision: To be the global voice of corporate secretaries and governance professionals

5 PUBLICATIONS / PRODUCTS March 2010 October 2013 April 2014

6 TWENTY PRACTICAL STEPS TO BETTER CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Recognise that good corporate governance is about the effectiveness of the governing body not about compliance with codes Confirm the leadership role of the board chairman Check that non-executive directors have the necessary skills, experience and courage Consider the calibre of the non-executive directors Review the role and contribution of non-executive directors Ensure that all directors have a sound understanding of the company Confirm that the board s relationship with executive management is sound Check that directors can access all the information they need Consider whether the board is responsible for formulating strategy Recognise that the governance of risk is a board responsibility

7 TWENTY PRACTICAL STEPS TO BETTER CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Monitor board performance and pursue opportunities for improvement Review relations with shareholders particularly institutional investors Emphasise that the company does not belong to the directors Ensure that directors remuneration packages are justifiable and justified Review relations between external auditors and the company Consider relations with the corporate regulators Develop written board-level policies covering relations between the company and the societies it affects Review the company s attitudes to ethical behaviour Ensure that the company secretary s function is providing value Consider how the corporate secretary s function might be developed

8 GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES FOR CORPORATE SECRETARIES Integrity Accountability Stewardship Transparency Separation of board and management Corporate responsibility to stakeholders and the environment

9 CORPORATE SECRETARIES TOOLKIT Training materials covering the full spectrum of a Corporate Secretary s role, functions and responsibilities Developed in response to strong demand from companies and organisations in emerging markets for training and skills development in corporate governance Designed as cross-cultural, thought provoking training material to promote corporate governance from the perspective of Corporate Secretaries Corporate Secretaries play a critical role in companies. They are a catalyst for implementing good governance across all areas of a company s structure, including business practices and organisational culture. Given the increasing breadth and importance of the role, the need for a globally minded and dynamic approach to Corporate Secretarial ability has become more essential, Carina Wessels, President of CSIA

10 CSIA: Previous conferences / round tables September 2011 Shanghai, China Sustainable Corporate Governance towards a global model April 2013 New Delhi, India Corporate Governance for sustaining prosperity and posterity October 2012 New York round table October 2013 Kuala Lumpur round table The pivotal role of the Corporate Secretary

11 CSIA: Current initiatives and activities Regular e-newsletters with topical information, thought pieces on the role of the corporate secretary and governance matters in general Roll-out of the Corporate Secretaries toolkit through member countries and the IFC Lobbying with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to gain increased recognition of corporate governance, compliance and secretarial advisory services (CGCSAS) in the WTO s services sectoral classification list Will facilitate CSIA s goal of improving corporate governance services and practices throughout the world Recognition would result in: A significant increase in trade in such services Facilitate the sharing of best practices globally Foster continuous improvement in global corporate governance standards and practices Publication of further thought leadership pieces Longer term calendar of events (including round tables and conferences) Advocacy on globally universal issues

12 THANK YOU Carina Wessels LLB (UP), Advanced Labour Law (UP), LLM (UNISA), PMD (GIBS), FCIS President: Corporate Secretaries International Association Past President :Chartered Secretaries Southern Africa Group Company Secretary Exxaro Resources Limited