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
The following topics will be dealt with during the course:
- An overview of corporate governance
- International corporate governance trends
- The evolution of corporate governance in South Africa
- Understanding ESG and sustainability
- A high-level review of King V including ethical and effective leadership
- Regulation and legal entities
- Directors' and prescribed officers' including role and responsibilities and business judgement rule
- Board committees including Audit/ Risk/ Social & Ethics/ Remuneration/ Nomination
- Governance of strategy
- Role of the Company Secretary
- Risk governance and risk management
- Assurance
- Data, information and technology governance
- Integrated reporting/transparency and disclosure
- Remuneration governance
- Institutional shareholders’ critical role including a high-level overview of CRISA 2
Various case studies will be utilised in a group discussion format.
Who will benefit from this course?
Business owners, corporate lawyers, compliance officers, risk managers, company secretaries, ESG / sustainability and stakeholder managers, current and aspirant directors, board committee members, senior managers, and officers/executives charged with governance duties in an organisation.
Presenter
Richard Foster is a corporate governance advisor and professional independent director/chairman. He is a chartered governance professional and a chartered director and his qualifications and professional designations include CD (SA), FCG (CS, CGP), HFinstD, HDip Company Law (Wits), HDip Tax Law (RAU); PG Dip Corporate Governance (RAU) with distinction. Richard has held senior leadership positions in two of the largest Global Groups based in South Africa during his corporate career. Prior to joining Old Mutual in 2001, where he held the position of Group Secretary until July 2013, the bulk of his career was spent with Anglo American, inter alia, occupying the position of Group Secretary of Mondi Limited. He has over the years had responsibility for Corporate Governance, Corporate Secretariat, Corporate Risk & Insurance and Legal Services operating at a national as well as international level. Richard has been extensively involved in various corporate governance initiatives in the broader business environment and has participated as a speaker and panellist in a number of business seminars and forums over the past years, both locally and overseas has been published as a co-author of various articles in certain leading international academic law journals. Richard served as Non-Executive Chairman of the Institute of Directors in South Africa and is a current member of the King Committee on Corporate Governance and was a member of the Task Team and Advisory Group responsible for the drafting of King IV and King V respectively. Richard is also a founding and current member of the CRISA Committee, which undertook the drafting of the Code for Responsible Investing in Southern Africa as well as CRISA 2 in 2022 applicable to Institutional Investors.
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.