'˜Good governance '˜more than regulation and corporate law'

The Institute of Directors (IoD) Corporate Governance Analyst James Jarvis, was speaking as the organisation launched the IoD Academy in Northern Ireland.

Aimed at setting new standards of excellence among business leaders, the academy is the first of its kind to be established by the IoD outside London.

It will provide a broad range of courses to enhance skills such as the role of a director and the board, finance for non-financial managers, strategy, and leadership for directors as well as offering the flagship Chartered Director qualification.

IoD NI Programme Director Dr Elaine O’Neill, who will head up the Academy, said: “The IoD has been at the forefront of promoting professionalism in Northern Ireland for more than 60 years, and has already established a reputation for extoling best practice across all sectors.

“We are very proud to build on that legacy as the first branch of the IoD to launch a regional Academy as we aim set new higher standards and create a centre of excellence in professional development.”

Speaking at the launch event, in the Merchant Hotel Mr Jarvis, said strong leaders, supported by professional development, play a key role in raising economic standards.

“Corporate governance has rarely been out of the papers for the past few years and sadly, this has in a large part been down to corporate failures and examples of poor governance.

“While there is no magic bullet against corporate failure, being a natural and necessary component of our market system, the likelihood of failures occurring can be greatly reduced when directors adhere to good corporate governance.