The 2026 Directors’ Foundation Programme provides new, aspiring and current directors with a comprehensive grounding in the core principles, responsibilities and practical realities of modern directorship across international financial centres. Designed to build confidence, competence and sound judgment, the programme brings together the essential elements of global governance, regulatory expectations, board operations, financial literacy and personal director risk.
Through a series of focused sessions, participants explore how governance frameworks differ across jurisdictions, what effective boards look like in practice, and how to interpret multi-jurisdictional board information to support robust decision-making. The programme also demystifies the mechanics of governance documentation, clarifies directors’ duties and liabilities worldwide, and provides practical guidance on navigating culture, conduct and ethical expectations in cross-border environments.
The programme is delivered live online via Microsoft TEAMS and recorded where possible. Each webinar provides 1-hour of CPD.
Suitable For
This programme is suitable for new and aspiring directors, senior managers preparing for board roles, and professionals seeking a solid grounding in core governance and directorship principles.
Agenda
International Governance Foundations: Law, Regulation and IFC Landscapes
11 March 2026 | 1 CPD Hours
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Key legal and regulatory foundations underpinning international governance
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Comparing IFC frameworks: similarities, differences and practical implications
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Global standards shaping board expectations (OECD, FATF, IOSCO, etc.)
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How jurisdictional risk and regulatory maturity influence governance models
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Practical challenges of operating across multiple legal systems
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Directors’ Duties Across Jurisdictions: Liability, Accountability and Personal Risk
21 April 2026 | 1 CPD Hours
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Core fiduciary and statutory duties across major jurisdictions
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How liability, accountability and personal exposure vary globally
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Common pitfalls leading to director enforcement or litigation
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Tools and processes to evidence proper fulfilment of duties
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Balancing competing obligations in cross-border governance scenarios
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How Boards Operate Globally: Roles, Structures and Cross-Border Dynamics
06 May 2026 | 1 CPD Hours
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Board structures and role expectations across global jurisdictions
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Effective cross-border communication, collaboration and decision-making
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Committee frameworks and reporting lines in international groups
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Cultural considerations shaping board interactions and leadership styles
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Managing conflicts, oversight and governance coherence across entities
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Board Information and Financial Literacy: Reading Multi-Jurisdictional Board Packs
02 June 2026 | 1 CPD Hours
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Essentials of financial literacy for international directors
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How to assess and challenge the quality of board information
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Identifying risks, trends and red flags in global reporting
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Comparing financial data across jurisdictions: challenges and techniques
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Best practices for board pack structure, clarity and decision-usefulness
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Governance Mechanics: Minutes, Resolutions and Decision Documentation
17 June 2026 | 1 CPD Hours
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Purpose and legal status of minutes, resolutions and board documentation
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Global differences in documentation requirements and expectations
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Crafting clear, defensible and decision-focused minutes
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Evidencing challenge, dissent, rationale and governance process
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Common documentation weaknesses leading to regulatory scrutiny
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Regulatory Expectations Worldwide: Supervisors, Codes, Conduct Standards and Sector Rulebooks
09 September 2026 | 1 CPD Hours
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Overview of regulatory authorities and supervisory models worldwide
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Conduct standards and governance expectations across IFCs
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Sector-specific rulebooks and their implications for boards
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Trends in regulatory enforcement and cross-border cooperation
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Preparing for regulatory scrutiny: proactive frameworks and documentation
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Conduct, Culture and Ethical Behaviour on Multi-Jurisdictional Boards
29 September 2026 | 1 CPD Hours
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Board responsibility for setting and monitoring organisational culture
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Cross-jurisdictional challenges in defining and assessing conduct
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Tools for measuring culture, behaviours and ethical risk indicators
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Strategies for embedding values and expectations across global teams
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Responding to misconduct and culture failures at board level
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Personal Director Risk: D&O, Due Diligence, Appointment Selection and Economic Substance Requirements
21 October 2026 | 1 CPD Hours
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Director due diligence: assessing role, risk profile and liabilities
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How D&O insurance works — strengths, gaps and misconceptions
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Personal accountability under economic substance frameworks
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Red flags when considering new or cross-border directorships
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Practical steps to mitigate personal exposure and evidence prudent conduct
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