CORPORATE GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

THE INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS OF KENYA
(Established under the Accountants Act, Laws of Kenya)
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Theme: Integrating Principles of Corporate Governance into The Values System of Leaders in Kenya
Date: 21ST – 25TH MARCH 2022
Venue: Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa, Mombasa
Time: 09.00am-03.30pm

INTRODUCTION

Corporate governance is a system of rules, policies, and practices that dictate how a company’s board of directors manages and oversees the operations of a company. Corporate governance includes principles of transparency, accountability, and security. Poor corporate governance, at best, leads to a company failing to achieve its stated goals, and, at worst, can lead to the collapse of the company and significant financial losses for shareholders.

Perhaps one of the most important principles of corporate governance is the recognition of shareholders. The recognition is two-fold. First, there is the basic recognition of the importance of shareholders to any company – people who buy the company’s stock fund its operations. Equity is one of the major sources of funding for businesses. Second, from the basic recognition of shareholder importance follows the principle of responsibility to shareholders. The policy of allowing shareholders to elect a board of directors is critical. This means that shareholders, effectively, have a direct say in how a company is run.

Shareholder interest is a major part of corporate governance. Shareholders may reach out to the members of the community who don’t necessarily hold an interest in the company but who can nonetheless benefit from its goods or services. Reaching out to the members of the community encourages lines of communication that promote company transparency. It means that all members of the community – those who are directly or indirectly affected by the company – and members of the press get a clear sense of the company’s goals, tactics, and how it is doing in general. Transparency means that anyone, whether inside or outside the company, can choose to review and verify the company’s actions. This fosters trust and is likely to encourage more individuals to patronize the company and possibly become shareholders as well.

An increasingly important aspect of corporate governance is security. Shareholders and customers/clients need to feel confident that their personal information is not being leaked or accessed by unauthorized users. It’s equally important to ensure that the company’s proprietary processes and trade secrets are secure. A data breach is not just very expensive. It also weakens public trust in the company, which can have a drastically negative effect on its stock price. Losing investor trust means losing access to capital that is necessary for corporate growth. Everyone in a company, from entry-level staffers to members of the board, needs to be well-versed in corporate security procedures such as passwords and authentication methods.

Leadership, both as a research area and as a practical skill, encompasses the ability of an individual, group or organization to lead, influence or guide other individuals, teams, or entire organizations. Throughout history, great leaders have emerged with leadership styles in providing direction, implementing plans and motivating people. These can be broadly grouped into 5 different categories such as Authoritarian Leadership, Participative Leadership, Delegative Leadership, Transactional Leadership and Transformational Leadership. Despite these definitions, most leaders still struggle with the meaning of each leadership style mentioned above, the difference between each leadership approach as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each style. This conference will explore each of these styles and provide an avenue for leaders to discuss on the best approach to take in leading their teams.

All leadership styles serve a purpose depending on the situation, type of organization or industry, and the personalities of the leadership and employees involved. The best approach is to become familiar with all leadership styles and understand the applications of each style. You will likely have a default style of leadership that you naturally exhibit or turn to. However, it is important that you are flexible in how you lead others. To understand when to employ each type of leadership style it is essential to develop your ability to diagnose needs, communicate effectively, and be flexible in how you make decisions and interact with others.

Leadership in business is the capacity of a company’s management to set and achieve challenging goals, take fast and decisive action when needed, outperform the competition, and inspire others to perform at their highest levels. Leadership also speaks to a more holistic approach, such as the tone of an organization or the culture that management establishes. Individuals with strong leadership skills in the business world often rise to executive positions.

Effective leadership includes exhibiting a strong character. Leaders exhibit honesty, integrity, trustworthiness, and ethics. Leaders act in line with how they speak and earn the right to be responsible for others’ success in the organization. Strong leadership involves clear communication skills. Leaders speak with and listen to staff members, respond to questions and concerns, and are empathetic. Leaders use effective communication skills for moving the company forward and achieving new levels of success.

Values refer to beliefs or ideals shared by the members of a culture about what is good or bad, desirable or undesirable. They are standards of conduct, efficiency or worth which a society endorses, maintains and even transmits to her members. Principles of Governance are normative principles that guide the state to perform its functions in a manner that promotes the general wellbeing of its people.

National Values and Principles of Governance are fundamental beliefs or ideals that guide the choices, actions and behaviour of a nation. They are critical in building national identity and national character that guides the realization of national development. In addition, National Values exert influence on the way individuals relate with one another, how communities engage one another and how citizens and government interact to promote peace, national unity and cohesion.

National Values and Principles of Governance are key in managing diversity and building national social capital that surpasses ethnic, religious, class and racial limitations. They cultivate internal social and cultural coherence which are based on national norms and interests that govern interactions focused on achieving national common good. It is because of the central role of values in organising, inspiring, transforming, and guiding Kenyans that they are enshrined in Article 10 of the Constitution. The National Values and Principles of Governance facilitate the building of bridges among communities, ethnic, religious, and racial traditions and establish constitutionalism that binds and integrates Kenyans into a unitary nation-state. They provide opportunities to individuals and groups to pursue freedoms and happiness in a diverse society and a firmly united nation.

This Conference will provide delegates with the opportunity to discuss issues and challenges as well as dwell on topical areas such as:

1. An overview of King IV Code of Corporate Governance
2. Implementation of the Mwongozo code of Corporate Governance in Kenya
3. Effective management of shareholder activism
4. Legal, Institutional Policy Frameworks and Administrative Actions for the promotion of national values and principles of governance
5. Corporate governance principles: An overview of the book G20/OECD- Principles of Corporate Governance
6. Emerging trends in Board and executive compensation schemes
7. Failures of corporate governance on both international and local landscape: A review of various case studies
8. Mainstreaming national values for behaviour change in Kenya
9. Enhancing public trust through strengthening of corporate data security systems and processes
10. Challenges that weaken the drive towards a cohesive united, peaceful, and prosperous nation
11. Enhancing transparency through improved Corporate Governance reporting and disclosures
12. Sustaining ethical leadership under high pressure environments and turbulent times
13. An overview of different leadership styles:

• Authoritarian Leadership
• Participative Leadership
• Delegative Leadership
• Transactional Leadership
• Transformational Leadership

14. Modern day leadership: Leading inter- generational teams
15. The place of leadership in managing productivity & time management: A look at the tools and technology for use by leaders in modern times
16. The role of transformational leadership in leading and managing change
17. Effective communication styles and tips for leaders: Enhancing presentation skills and influence in engagements

 Financial Commitment:

Note: Delegates are required to make their own travel and accommodation arrangements. Conference charges cater for training fee, training materials, certificate and meals during the event.

Bookings Deadline:

Bookings close on Friday; 18^th March 2022 at 17:00 pm

Delegates are reminded to note that online booking for training sessions is MANDATORY.   This is available either online at www.icpak.com/events  or on the ICPAK Live – A smart phone based application that is available from google store.

National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) Reimbursement

The Institute is registered as a trainer with National Industrial Training Authority. The Institute’s registration number is DIT/TRN/47. Participants who are registered levy contributors should apply to NITA for reimbursement of their fees. Please note that this is applicable for Kenyan citizens only and subject to NITA regulations. Remember that to qualify you should apply to NITA for approval prior to the date of the conference. Further details can be obtained from their website (www.nita.go.ke).

Sponsorship Opportunities & Additional Information

The Governance and Leadership Conference attracts over 200 participants drawn from both the public and private sectors presenting a rare chance for exhibitors and sponsors. Those interested in sponsoring this event can reach us through raphael.nguli@icpak.com. Other requests for information can be channelled to us via telephone on +254 733 856 262/ 727531006/ 733856262/ 721469169.

For further inquiries, kindly contact Fredrick Otwori at fredrick.otwori@icpak.com  with a copy to memberservices@icpak.com. Reach us on call: +254 719 074000/129

We encourage you to regularly visit our website www.icpak.com for updates on the Conference

Welcome!