Learn what effective governance looks like - and how to make it work in practice.
Strong corporate governance is no longer a compliance exercise—it is a strategic business imperative. This practical and highly relevant course equips directors, executives, governance professionals and business leaders with the knowledge and tools to strengthen board effectiveness, manage risk, enhance sustainability, and create long-term stakeholder value. Drawing on the latest developments in inter alia King V, CRISA 2, ESG and real-world governance case studies, delegates will gain practical insights to confidently navigate today's increasingly complex governance landscape.
When and where?
This course will be presented twice in 2027:
| Dates and times | Platform / venue | Fee |
| 17 to 19 March 2027, 9:00 to 16:30 SAST (three full days) Download brochure | Remote (most likely on Zoom) | R14,850 |
| 23 to 25 August 2027, 9:00 to 16:30 SAST (three full days) Download brochure | Face-to-face at UCT | R16,350 |
Course overview
In today's business environment, boards and executives face unprecedented scrutiny from stakeholders such as regulators, investors, employees, customers and society at large. Governance failures can destroy value, damage reputations and expose organisations and leaders to significant legal and financial consequences.
At the same time, organisations that embrace sound governance practices are better positioned to manage risk, optimise opportunities, attract investment, strengthen stakeholder trust and achieve sustainable long-term success.
This intensive and highly practical programme has been designed to help participants understand what effective governance looks like in practice—and how to apply it within their own organisations.
Led by one of South Africa's foremost governance experts and direct contributor to the drafting of King III, IV and V, and CRISA, the course combines leading practice, current trends, practical examples and real-world lessons from boardrooms and organisations across sectors.
Key benefits
By attending this programme, delegates will be able to:
- Understand the latest corporate governance principles and emerging trends.
- Strengthen board and committee effectiveness.
- Better discharge fiduciary and governance responsibilities.
- Navigate legal, regulatory and ethical obligations with greater confidence.
- Understand the strategic importance of ESG and sustainability.
- Improve risk oversight and governance frameworks.
- Enhance stakeholder confidence and organisational credibility.
- Apply the principles of King V and CRISA 2 in a practical business context.
- Learn from governance successes and failures through real-world case studies.
- Gain valuable insights from an experienced governance practitioner and independent director.
What makes this programme different?
- Practical boardroom-focused insights rather than purely theoretical content
- Presented by a recognised governance leader involved in developing King III, IV, King V and CRISA
- Current and relevant content addressing modern governance challenges
- Real-life case studies and lessons from governance successes and failures
- Valuable networking and peer-learning opportunities
- IoDSA CPD accredited
Course outline
Through an engaging and interactive learning experience, participants will explore:
- The Governance Landscape
- Foundations and purpose of corporate governance
- Global governance developments and emerging trends
- The evolution of governance in South Africa through the King Reports
- Governance as a driver of sustainable value creation
- ESG and Sustainability
- Understanding ESG and stakeholder expectations
- Sustainability as a boardroom responsibility
- Integrating sustainability into strategy and decision-making
- Governance Frameworks and Leadership •
- Overview of King V and leading governance practices
- Ethical and effective leadership
- Governance culture and organisational accountability
- Directors' Duties and Responsibilities
- Roles and responsibilities of directors and prescribed officers
- Fiduciary duties and standards of conduct
- Link between legal duties and governance standards
- The Business Judgment Rule
- Managing conflicts of interest
- Board Effectiveness
- Building high-performing boards
- Board structures and governance mechanisms
- Effective board committees, including:
- Audit Committees
- Risk Committees
- Social and Ethics Committees
- Remuneration Committees
- Nomination Committees
- Governance in Practice
- Governance of strategy
- The role of the Company Secretary
- Risk governance and risk management
- Assurance and accountability
- Information, technology and data governance
- Transparency, disclosure and integrated reporting
- Remuneration governance
- Responsible Investment and Shareholder Stewardship
- The evolving role of institutional investors
- Understanding CRISA 2
- Stakeholder engagement and long-term value creation
- Learning from Experience
- Practical governance case studies
- Interactive discussions and boardroom scenarios
- Application of governance principles to real-world challenges
Who will benefit from this course?
This programme is ideal for:
- Current and aspiring directors
- Board and committee members
- Chief executives and senior executives
- Company secretaries and governance professionals
- Risk and compliance professionals
- Internal auditors
- Legal and corporate affairs practitioners
- ESG and sustainability leaders
- Institutional investors and stewardship professionals
- Business owners and entrepreneurs seeking to strengthen governance practices
Presenter
Richard Foster is a highly regarded corporate governance advisor, professional independent director and chairman, with extensive experience spanning governance, legal, risk and corporate secretariat functions at both national and international levels.
A Chartered Director and Chartered Governance Professional, Richard holds the designations CD(SA), FCG (CS, CGP) and HFInstD, together with postgraduate qualifications in Company Law, Tax Law and Corporate Governance.
During a distinguished corporate career, Richard held senior leadership positions within two of South Africa's largest global groups. He served as Group Secretary of Old Mutual until 2013 and previously held senior governance roles within the Anglo American Group, including Group Secretary of Mondi Limited.
Richard is widely recognised for his contribution to advancing corporate governance in South Africa and internationally. A sought-after speaker, panellist and published author, he has contributed to governance thought leadership through leading business forums and peer-reviewed academic publications.
He is a former Non-Executive Chairman of the Institute of Directors South Africa (IoDSA), a current member of the King Committee on Corporate Governance, and served on the structures responsible for the development of King 111, IV and King V. He is also a founding and current member of the CRISA Committee, which developed both the original Code for Responsible Investing in South Africa (CRISA) and CRISA 2.
Drawing on decades of boardroom, executive and governance experience, Richard brings a unique blend of practical insight, strategic perspective and deep technical expertise in corporate governance, stewardship and sustainable value creation.
CPD accreditation
This course has been registered with the Institute of Directors of South Africa (IoDSA) and entitles you to 20 CPD points on completion.
Certificate
A digital certificate of attendance from UCT will be issued to those who attend the full course.
Please note that the digital certificate can only be viewed on a secure portal. It cannot be downloaded or printed. You will have the option of ordering a hard copy of the certificate at your own cost, including the cost of the courier fee. More information is available here.
No certificate will be issued without the full course fee having been received. Please allow up to three weeks after the end of the course for certificates to be processed.
How to sign up
Please note: Only 25 spaces are available. Payment confirms registration. Once the available places have been filled, additional registrations will be added to a waiting list.
Complete and submit the registration form. You will then be given the payment information. Please note that registrations will not be accepted until payment has been made.
One week before the course, we will send you information regarding the programme and directions to the venue.
Registrations close seven days before the course starts.