This year’s ICSA: The Governance Institute’s annual conference in Guernsey is addressing the theme of ‘Building Board Resilience’.
Taking place at the St Pierre Park Hotel on 1 May, the conference will focus on how boards can be strengthened through board evaluations and improved board dynamics. Business critical issues that directors need to be aware of such as technological innovations, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing and anti-money laundering are also being considered.
“As a leading financial services centre, there is constant scrutiny on Guernsey’s actions, and governance professionals are uniquely positioned to steer governance, risk and compliance in order to uphold the high standards that have been set as the benchmark for best practice,” says Sara Bourne, Chair of ICSA’s Guernsey Branch.
“The theme of this year’s conference highlights the importance of effective boardroom practices if Guernsey is to retain its place on the global stage as a champion of good governance. Organisations having a board that is fit for the future is of paramount importance. With sessions on vital areas of focus such as ESG investing and emerging technologies, the conference is the ideal forum for company secretaries and other governance professionals to get to grips with the issuesand opportunities facing Guernsey.’
Confirmed speakers at the conference include:
- Fiona Le Poidevin, CEO of The International Stock Exchange who will be looking at ‘ESG investing’
- Nick Herquin, Deputy Director, Financial Crime Supervision and Policy Division, Guernsey Financial Services Commission who will be discussing financial crime and the updated AML/CFT Handbook
- Peter Swabey, ICSA Policy and Research Director who will be providing an update on the work that ICSA has been doing for the UK Government to improve the quality of board evaluations, including the development of a new code of practice for external board evaluation
- Dr Jeremy Cross, Director, Bailiwick Consulting who will be considering what needs to be taken into consideration when trying to alter board dynamics
- Heath Martorella, Head of Family Office, Bellerive Trust who will be discussing the importance of family offices being supported by governance professionals who understand the variety and complexity of issues facing family offices
- Duncan Smith, Director at iCompli who will be considering the risks and opportunities presented by emerging technologies and their impact on the role of governance professionals
- Simon Osborne, outgoing chief executive of ICSA and his successor Sara Drake who will be presenting the future strategy of ICSA and how this ties into supporting and championing governance professionals
- Lesley Ward, Branch Liaison and Mentoring Manager at ICSA who will be discussing the benefits of mentoring and coaching.
