GCC BDI celebrates 15 years of excellence in promoting corporate governance and board effectiveness in the Gulf region

 The Institute has supported over 2,600 board directors in the Gulf to develop their

professional capabilities

 With over 2600 members, GCC BDI runs 50 workshops yearly to help board

directors, board secretaries and C Suite executives

 GCC BDI is committed to reinforcing corporate governance, board diversity,

leadership in the Gulf

GCC Board Directors Institute (GCC BDI), a not-for-profit organisation that

guides board directors of organisations in acquiring the know-how and tools to reach and sustain

effective corporate governance, is celebrating its 15 th anniversary of excellence in promoting

professional board directorship and raising the level of board effectiveness across the Gulf.

Over the past one-and-a-half decades, GCC BDI has grown to over 2600 members and has helped over

2,600 board directors across the Gulf region in developing their professional capabilities. The Institute

currently conducts over 50 workshops and seminars annually covering vital board leadership education,

including the areas of corporate governance, board evaluation, board diversity, and corporate

leadership. GCC BDI has delivered over 400 programmes and forums to top-tier organisations in the Gulf

in these 15 years.

Founded in 2007 as a not-for-profit entity, GCC BDI’s mission is to promote the highest professional

standards of corporate governance and directorship through capacity building, advocacy, and sound

governance practices. As the only director institute from the GCC to be admitted to the Global Network

of Director Institutes (GNDI), GCC BDI brings together its members to explore the evolving role and value

of boards as well as appropriate corporate governance standards, regionally and globally.

In his comments on the 15 th anniversary, Mohammad Al-Shroogi, Chairman of GCC BDI, said: “The 15 th

anniversary of GCC BDI is a significant milestone in our journey in the Gulf. As the business and

economic landscape evolves, the role of GCC boards has shifted considerably over the past 15 years

from largely collegial bodies aimed at approving company strategy to a key governance organ meant to

challenge and inspire strategy. At GCC BDI, we are proud of what we have achieved in these 15 years –

with a rich track record of local experience and understanding, strong corporate governance knowledge,

practical director expertise and tried and tested programmes that have helped thousands of board

directors and shaped businesses across the region.”

Commenting on the milestone, Jane Valls, Executive Director of GCC BDI, said: “GCC BDI has come a

long way since its inception. We are a homegrown Institute founded to help board directors in the Gulf

– we have a huge accumulated knowledge of the local legal and regulatory environment, as well as the

cultural understanding of the Gulf and its boards. This aspect is particularly important as we celebrate

15 years of GCC BDI. GCC BDI has been working tirelessly to raise the profile of good corporate

governance and strong investor relations in the Gulf. Good governance is a key factor as the Gulf

counties have positioned themselves on the global economic map. GCC BDI’s 15th Anniversary is also

the anniversary of good governance in the Gulf – one that we should all be proud of and a key

contribution to FDI in the region, as investors seek assurance in high standards of corporate governance.

“

Over the years, GCC BDI has launched key programmes and certifications to equip board directors and

board secretaries in the Gulf, boosting overall board effectiveness. This includes the Certified Board

Secretary programme [2018], Director Certification, [2019], Diploma in Board Directorship [2020], &

‘Chartered Director’, the flagship qualification and the international gold standard for professional

director development [2021]. 

GCC BDI has also won some prestigious accolades over the past 15 years. The Institute was named as

one of MEA Market’s winners, receiving the Leading Experts in Board Director Development 2022 – GCC

award; Best Professional Business Organisation – Dubai [2021]; and Outstanding Contribution to

Corporate Governance GCC Award by Capital Finance International [2017 and 2018], among others.

Every year, the Institute holds a Chairman Summit, its flagship event, and this year the 8 th GCC BDI

Chairman Summit will take place in Riyadh on 6 September with HE Khalid Al Falih, Minister of

Investment for Saudi Arabia, as the keynote speaker.

And every two years, GCC BDI undertakes a survey of Board Effectiveness in the region. Last year, the

Institute published its 7 th edition of the report which provided insights for board members, investors,

advisers, and governments into the changes and improvements made in corporate governance practices

in the GCC, as well as forming an ongoing process to track corporate governance and board

effectiveness in the region.

The Institute is supported by eight key strategic partners – First Abu Dhabi Bank, National Bank of

Bahrain, Saudi Aramco, SABIC, Allen & Overy, Heidrick & Struggles, McKinsey & Company, and PwC, and

actively partners with all the regional regulatory authorities.