Dear members.

We’re kicking off 2018 with a fantastic addition to the GCC BDI affiliate network – the Yusuf bin Ahmed Kanoo Group of Companies (YBA Kanoo).

As a leading conglomerate in the region, Bahrain-headquartered YBA Kanoo has long been an advocate of good corporate governance. By joining hands with our organisation, YBA Kanoo aims to help evolve the wider regional ethical governance agenda.

This Spring, we have also grown our staff count as well as our affiliates. Please join me in welcoming Lucy Turner, who is our new Director of Corporate Services. Lucy is a UK-qualified lawyer with an in-depth understanding of the region having worked in the GCC for over a decade. Please join us in welcoming her to the GCC BDI fold as we look to expand and provide even more services in the coming months.

This year has already seen the successful completion of the ‘Getting the Best Out of Board Committees’ workshop, held in Dubai, and the Foundations of Directorship two-day workshop, where 26 participants from leading Bahraini and Saudi Arabian companies convened to discuss board effectiveness, good corporate governance and best practices in directorship.

This year is also notable for the fact the GCC BDI has also welcomed Sami Ahmed Abdullah Aljamea, Operations Head of National Bank of Bahrain, as its 1,000th member.

Effectively managing risk in a changing world

Our first newsletter of the year is themed around the important topic of risk management. Eminent global risk management expert John Crawley and GCC BDI faculty has given the GCC BDI an exclusive interview on his tips for formulating a solid corporate risk strategy.

We’ve also spoken to Mohamed Al Shehi, Deputy Director General at the Department of Finance, Government of Dubai and board member of Emirates NBD to gather his thoughts on managing risks in a volatile world.

New initiatives

This year also sees the launch of the first GCC BDI Certified Board Secretary programme. Board secretaries have an important role to play as governance professionals in all types of organisations in the private, public, and not-for- profit sectors. Governance is more than just complying with laws and regulations; it’s about creating cultures of good practice. The objective of this programme is to help board secretaries to act as bridges for communication, advice, and arbitration between the board and management and between the organisation and its shareholders and stakeholders.

We’ve also updated our membership programme in 2018 with even more benefits for you and new pre-purchase workshop packages, allowing your firm to avail of substantial discounts on our open enrollment programme.

And don’t forget we have our regular summer workshop in London coming up in a few months. The Risk Management Master Class runs from 11–12 July and offers insights from John Crawley on how to manage risk and boost your business.

With best wishes
Jane Valls