Aspiring

Directors
Programme

Corporate I N S E A D. E D U

Governance
P O RT F O L I O 2 0 2 3–2 0 2 4

The Business School

for the World ®
 ASPIRING DIRECTORS PROGRAMME

Preparing professionals, managers or The programme will focus on the following fundamental
executives to be effective directors in a global questions:
context • What is corporate governance?
• Understanding the main corporate governance systems
Being a board member today is a very different role from
• What are the main institutions, roles and processes in corpo-
being a senior executive and brings with it added complexity
rate governance?
and unique responsibilities which are different from other
•H  ow best can directors exercise their responsibilities in the
management and operational roles.
boardroom?
To successfully carry out a board mandate, directors must • Understanding the different types of directors
have a general overview of a company’s operational activities • Board fundamentals: responsibility and effectiveness
and corporate governance, including an understanding of its • Board dynamics, efficiency
exposure to risk and strategic direction. • Board structure and the role of committees
• Learn finance literacy for directors
The ILA has partnered with leading business school INSEAD • Understanding the job market for board directors
and the INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre (ICGC) to • What are the new challenges for directors: diversity, sustain-
launch the Aspiring Directors Programme. The programme is ability, digital, etc.
designed to prepare professionals, managers or executives
moving into a first-time director level role, building exceptional Session topics and faculty could change, mostly due to
levels of strategic, high performance and self-aware faculty availability
leadership skills. You will transform into an insightful and
impactful leader in a director level role.
Participant profile
Key benefits
•P
 rofessionals, managers or executives without
• Understand the broader context in which boards operate experience as board directors that aim to serve in a
and the responsibilities that come with a director mandate corporate governance role
• Gain an overview of the knowledge and competencies •F
 amily members and controlling shareholders of boards
expected from directors in today’s environment of small & medium family companies
• Develop director-specific competencies that contribute to •E
 xecutives of government and non-profit organisations
the creation of a high-performing board and agencies Professionals from the institutional
investment community

E X E C U T I V E E D U C AT I O N – A S P I R I N G D I R E C T O R S P R O G R A M M E
•S
 enior Executives (CEO, COO, CFO, CIO etc.)
Programme content •A
 pplicants should hold very little or no board experience
The Aspiring Directors Programme is a five-day programme
that helps high potential professionals, managers or execu-
tives preparing for their first board mandate to acquire the
Programme partner
knowledge base that directors are expected to master and “The case studies were extremely helpful to put the theory into
which form the basis of effective board membership.
practice. It was key for all of us to understand that the independent
The voice of corporate governance
in Luxembourg director role comes with responsibility to set the strategy and
framework for the CEO (and that the board of directors do not have
Programme director
an executive role) – we must stand back. The professors were top
who provided us with international insights, case studies and in-
Laurence Capron Stanislav depth knowledge and experience. The group spirit was great with
Professor of Strategy
The Paul Desmarais Chaired Professor of Partner-
Shekshnia participants that are now in my close network.”
ship and Active Ownership Senior Affiliate Professor of Entrepreneurship
and Family Enterprise
Kathrin Wolff Schmandt
Past Participant, Aspiring Directors Programme

2 www.insead.edu/executive-education/corporate-governance/aspiring-directors-programme 3
 The INSEAD Corporate
Governance Centre
INSEAD’S DISTINCTIVE CONTRIBUTION A CROSS-DISCIPLINARY INSEAD LEVERAGING INSEAD’S INTERNATIONAL IMPACT IN THE BOARDROOM: EDUCATION
TO GOVERNANCE RESEARCH AGENDA PERSPECTIVE AND REACH AND DIALOGUE TO PROMOTE THE HIGHEST
The INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre (ICGC), launched The ICGC shifts INSEAD’s traditional research focus from The ICGC brings a truly global perspective to all its activities. STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
in 2010, undertakes cutting-edge research and teaching management to governance – with two fundamental INSEAD has a distinct advantage in this respect, offering the The INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre also provides
tailored to the needs of boards and those who serve on them. questions: opportunity to study governance from a truly international opportunities to share its groundbreaking insights through
It is designed to foster a global dialogue on the challenges • How do board members add value to the corporations they perspective, both on an intellectual level and through the regular INSEAD Governance Meetings. These events bring
facing board members in an international context and to serve? multicultural diversity so typical of its classrooms. The together a select group of board members, regulators and
identify and support new research that addresses these • What are the effective governance mechanisms and international composition of INSEAD’s programmes, both academics from around the world – united in the conviction
challenges. The ICGC combines faculty expertise and cultures that ensure effective board functioning? in terms of faculty and participants, makes them a unique that advances in the understanding and practice of corporate
institutional visibility around a mission that combines three source of exchange, observation, learning and networks. governance are most likely to occur in a cross-disciplinary
inter-related dimensions. INSEAD’s research in this field is designed to be environment.
cross-disciplinary and global, spanning all regions and The ICGC has developed many ways for INSEAD, its faculty
cultures. Its activities harness and enhance INSEAD’s and participants to shape a unique global vision for board
expertise in multiple disciplines – including accounting, effectiveness that takes into account the various regional
finance, economics, strategy, risk management, contexts within which directors evolve. These include the
entrepreneurship, family governance and corporate social presence of the ICGC on INSEAD’s campuses in Europe,
responsibility – to offer a comprehensive and sustainable Asia and the Middle East; and the development of strategic
TEACHING response to the challenges of corporate governance. partnerships with directors’ institutes in Europe and
Developing directors’ skills
Asia (ecoDa: The European Confederation of Directors’
and knowledge through The ICGC also develops innovative teaching materials on Associations, Institut Luxembourgeois des Administrateurs
education the fundamental issues faced by international directors, and the Singapore Institute of Directors) and with

E X E C U T I V E E D U C AT I O N – A S P I R I N G D I R E C T O R S P R O G R A M M E
including case studies, simulations and 360-degree feedback professional associations such as European Confederation
RESEARCH instruments specifically designed for board members. of Directors Associations (ecoDa) and Ukrainian Corporate
Influencing business practice Governance Academy (UCGA)
through rigorous investigation
and analysis

OUTREACH
Ensuring relevance through
ongoing discussion of the
challenges boards face

Annet Aris
Academic Director, INSEAD Corporate Governance Centre
Senior Affiliate Professor of Strategy

For more information on the ICGC’s latest programmes, research, publications and events, see:
4 www.insead.edu/centres/corporate-governance 5
 CALENDAR 2024 Practical
Information
PROGRAMME DATE LOCATION LENGTH FEE* LEVEL - Applicable to all sessions

Aspiring Directors 25–29 March 2024 F 5 days €10,600 – C-Level

Programme 30 September– F 5 days €10,600 – Experienced General Manager
4 October 2024 – New General Manager CONTACT US APPLICATION PROCEDURE
– Managing Director For further information on Aspiring Directors Programme, Places on the programmes are confirmed on a first-come,
contact: first-served basis, taking into consideration applicants’ levels
and objectives, and the diversity of the classes.
INSEAD Europe Campus
Angie Theou We recommend that you submit your completed application
Tel: +33 (0)1 60 72 43 56 form as early as possible, preferably six weeks prior to
Fax: +33 (0)1 60 74 55 13 programme commencement. The Admissions Committee
E-mail: ADP_Contact@insead.edu will review your application and advise you on the outcome
as soon as possible. Please do not hesitate to contact us if
Visit our website: www.insead.edu/executive-education/ you have any questions about which programme may best
corporate-governance/aspiring-directors-programme suit your objectives or for any additional information.

Note: All our open programmes are taught in English and participants
should be able to exchange complex views, listen and learn through the
medium of English.

TUITION FEES*
The programme fee covers tuition, course materials and
lunches on working days, as well as the closing dinner. It
does not include travel, accommodation or incidentals.
Participants will have to settle accommodation expenses
and incidentals before the end of the programme.

E X E C U T I V E E D U C AT I O N – A S P I R I N G D I R E C T O R S P R O G R A M M E
*Fee subject to change. VAT/GST shall apply at prevailing rates according
to prevailing laws and regulations.

INSEAD does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual

orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin, age or disability in the
administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship
and loan programmes, or employment or other INSEAD-administered
programmes.

*Fee subject to change. VAT/GST shall apply at prevailing rates according to prevailing laws and regulations.

F France

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