ECSE-PBC Governance CPD Webinar Series

Understanding the Board-Management Relationship

Summary/Purpose: One of the most common complaints made by executives is that board directors become too heavily involved in the operational functions of the organization, breaching that often blurred line between the oversight responsibilities of the board and the execution of the organizational strategy through its day-to-day operational activities. This can be frustrating for the management team and is one of the most common sources of conflict within the leadership team. If this is a problem for your organization, this webinar will provide the tools and insight to solve the problem, enhancing effective communication and helping to build more collaborative relationships of trust.

At the heart of this process is ensuring that an effective governance framework is in place that provides clarity and direction to the different leadership functions, so that they stay clear on their roles, responsibilities and accountabilities. An effective framework will govern and regulate the interaction between the leadership functions and mitigate the risk of confusion and /or crossover of duties. Allied to this are the attitudes, skills and behaviours of the leadership functions. Where there is suspicion or a lack of respect regarding the role of the other party, this can be problematic. It is important that the governance framework is supported by a foundation of trust and the proper mindset at all levels of leadership.  

Content: This webinar will take a deep dive into the key aspects of the board-management relationship, including why clearly defined roles and responsibilities and separation of duties are critical to effective decision making and productivity, and how the relationship influences organizational performance and culture. We discuss at a high level the functions of the Board and the management and how documentation and regular communication can reinforce an understanding of the distinction between the roles  

It is generally understood that the Board delegates to the CEO the execution of the organizational strategy. Although the CEO will have day-to-day autonomy in how this is achieved, the CEO must report to the Board and the Board must hold him/her accountable. We study the mechanics of this relationship and how to strike the balance between effective oversight and providing the appropriate latitude to the CEO to run the organization. We examine key aspects where the Board can hold the CEO accountable, how they do so, and how the Board provides oversight and direction as the organization evolves, including how succession planning must be carefully managed to ensure the appropriate leadership is in place to drive and manage this evolution.

Benefits: Participants will gain a clear understanding of the separation of duties between the Board and management, how important it is to get this right, and how to create a governance structure that ensures the relationship is mutually beneficial and characterised by trust and respect for the different roles. They will gain a clear picture of how the board delegates and holds the CEO accountable, and how to manage this relationship as the organization evolves. Participants will leave with a host of practical strategies and insights to take back to their organization and use those tools to enhance the clarity of the respective roles and responsibilities between board and management, and in doing so greatly enhance mutual understanding and relationships and strengthen the culture of alignment on key decisions.

Who should attend: Board chairs, company directors, company secretaries, chief executives and any executive working with or supporting the board, including Chief Risk Officers, Chief Compliance Officers or equivalent.

Registration: The webinar will be delivered on Wednesday September 18, 2024, from 9:00AM to 10:30AM.

Fees: A Registration Fee of EC$295 (US$110) per participant is payable to the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange Ltd by Credit Card, Wire Transfer or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) by 13th September 2024.
Discounted Rate for ECSE Affiliates and CGIC Members – EC$270 (US$100)
(CGIC members must include their membership number to benefit from this discount)

To register, click here:

Your Facilitator:

Paul has 25 years of corporate secretarial, corporate governance and regulatory experience both in house and as a professional services consultant in the United Kingdom, Canada, Caribbean and the Middle East. He has worked for KPMG LLP and PwC in leadership roles and served in senior in-house roles for several listed financial services companies. He has also provided governance services to Mid-Cap and Large-Cap companies in Europe, North and South America and the Caribbean region. Paul has worked extensively with a diverse range of boards and senior management teams on governance matters. His most recent corporate assignment was as Head of Corporate Governance at First Abu Dhabi Bank, the largest bank in the Gulf region, where he developed the Bank’s corporate governance  framework, advised the Board and executive management on the new UAE Corporate  Governance Regulations, refined the Bank’s management committee, and developed its  international governance structure across twenty jurisdictions globally.

A certified life coach, group coach and certified emotional intelligence (EQ-i) assessor and  practitioner, Paul founded Perfect Balance Consulting in 2021 providing governance solutions to small/mid-Cap  organizations, group training across a variety of business solutions, and one-to-one executive coaching to mid-senior level professionals with a focus on leadership and EQ. Paul is ISO37000 (governance of organizations) certified and an influential thought leader on EQ, leadership and sustainability in the corporate governance field. He is a highly sought after speaker, coach and consultant on a range of governance matters.

Paul is a Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute of Canada (CGIC) and holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Middlesex  University (UK) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Leicester De Montfort  University (UK).