Key details
Mode of delivery: Classroom-based
Course code: CG18C
Duration: 8 days
Fee: £6,975.00 + VAT
CPD Hours: 48
Course Overview
This course provides a deep dive into the human and relational dimensions of effective board leadership, emphasising how governance quality is shaped not only by structure, but by behaviour, judgment, and group dynamics. Participants will explore the legal and behavioural expectations of directors, the importance of clearly defined roles, and how to manage the complex relationships between the board, executives, and key governance actors. The programme examines the psychological foundations of board effectiveness, including how to foster trust, enable challenge, and avoid groupthink — especially in hybrid or high-pressure settings. It also addresses performance evaluation, aligning incentives with accountability, and navigating succession planning in times of uncertainty. The course also builds capabilities in strategic foresight and adaptive leadership, equipping board members to anticipate systemic risks and lead resiliently through disruption and change.
“Corporate responsibility has matured from ad-hoc philanthropy into a core driver of competitive advantage. Over three intensive days, this masterclass weaves together the evolution of corporate social responsibility (CSR), stakeholder-centric materiality, and disciplined sustainability planning to equip professionals with an end-to-end toolkit for responsible growth.
Participants trace the historical shift from CSR to modern sustainability, unpack the business drivers that make responsible conduct essential, and learn to map stakeholder expectations through materiality assessments. Building on that foundation, the course guides learners through designing, executing, and measuring sustainability initiatives that deliver clear business value and positive societal impact.
Agenda
Day 1 — Board Roles and Relationships
- Legal duties and behavioural expectations of directors
- Functional collaboration: Chair, CEO, Company Secretary, NEDs
- Board–Executive interface and managing healthy tension
Day 2 — Behavioural Governance and Group Effectiveness
- Boardroom psychology: trust, groupthink, and challenge
- Chairing for psychological safety and constructive dissent
- Board dynamics in hybrid and high-stakes environments
Day 3 — Performance, Reward, and Succession
- Evaluating board and director performance
- Linking accountability to incentives and outcomes
- Board renewal and succession planning under pressure
Day 4 — Foresight and Resilient Leadership
- Strategic foresight: how boards anticipate systemic change
- Scenario thinking and governance for long-term resilience
- Resilient and adaptive leadership in times of systemic change
Day 5 — Weekly Review
- Summary and recap of key learning objectives
- Action Planning
Day 6 — Evolution of CSR and Sustainability
- Introduction to CSR and its historical evolution
- Transitioning from CSR to sustainability: key principles
- Business drivers for sustainability: why it matters today
Day 7 — Stakeholder Engagement and Materiality
- Understanding materiality assessments: identifying key issues
- Strategies for effective stakeholder engagement
- Practical simulation: managing stakeholder dynamics
Day 8 — Planning for Sustainable Practices
- Designing sustainability plans: core components
- CSR project management: alignment with corporate goals
- Measuring stakeholder impact: tools and techniques
Course Review
- Summary and recap of key learning objectives
- Action Planning
Post-Course
- Five (5) x hour-long Executive Coaching sessions at monthly intervals following Course Completion
Target Audience
This course is suitable for:
- New and aspiring Non-Executive Directors.
- Board Members seeking to refresh their understanding of governance foundations.
- Company Secretaries, C-Suite Executives, Senior & Mid-Level Managers, and Governance Professionals.
- Leaders in private companies, public institutions, state-owned enterprises, and NGOs.
- Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance Professionals seeking grounding in governance fundamentals.
- HR Professionals
- Marketing and Sales Executives
- Finance and Accounting Professionals
- Business Consultants
- Project Managers
- Corporate Trainers
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to implement a successful strategy that enables you to:
- Understand the legal duties and behavioural expectations of directors to ensure compliant and ethical governance.
- Recognise the importance of functional collaboration among the Chair, CEO, Company Secretary, and NEDs to promote effective board functioning.
- Develop strategies for managing the healthy tension between the board and executives to facilitate balanced oversight and decision-making.
- Comprehend the psychological dynamics within the boardroom, including trust, groupthink, and the importance of challenge for effective governance.
- Apply techniques for chairing meetings that foster psychological safety and encourage constructive dissent.
- Navigate the complexities of board dynamics in hybrid and high-stakes environments to maintain effectiveness and engagement.
- Learn methods for evaluating the performance of the board and individual directors to enhance overall effectiveness.
- Understand how to link accountability with incentives and outcomes to drive organisational success.
- Develop approaches for board renewal and succession planning that are resilient even under pressure or changing circumstances.
- Grasp the concept of strategic foresight and how boards can anticipate and prepare for systemic change.
- Utilise scenario thinking to enhance governance practices and build long-term resilience.
- Build adaptive leadership skills necessary for navigating uncertainty and leading organisations through complex, changing environments.
- Understand the historical roots and evolution of CSR.
- analyse the shift from CSR to sustainability in modern business.
- Identify and articulate the business case for sustainability.
- Conduct materiality assessments to prioritize sustainability issues.
- Develop stakeholder engagement strategies tailored to organisational needs.
- Manage stakeholder dynamics through practical application of engagement strategies in a simulated environment.
- Design sustainability plans aligned with strategic goals.
- Explore how CSR projects contribute to corporate sustainability.
- Measure and analyse the impact of sustainability efforts on stakeholders.
Course dates
Oct 12, 2026 - Oct 21, 2026
Categories
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