Acquire intelligence on the most critical issues for board directors and senior business leaders to stay resilient, compliant, and value-driven.
Sustainability & ESG Designation (GCB.D) and Certification
Global insight from global leaders
Competent Boards’ flagship program and the Gold Standard in board and executive education.
Designed with busy schedules in mind, learn from and with other board and business leaders looking to enhance their acumen in sustainability oversight and governance.
Learn advances in critical topics from a board’s eye view:
geopolitics • AI • cybersecurity • ESG • supply chain • human capital • modern slavery • nature • evolving sustainability regulations
Are you prepared to meet mandatory reporting standards?
- New regulations and requirements increasingly demand disclosure of the board’s competence in overseeing sustainability issues, such as IFRS S1 and S2
- Stay abreast of latest developments in sustainability leadership and governance
- Gain the knowledge and practical skills that will give you an edge, transform your career, and drive value
- Be part of a lifelong community of 1000+ active learners committed to modern leadership on the front lines of corporate governance
- Get the credentials recruiters, nomination committees, and investors are looking for
- Make a difference – for your organization, for your investors, and for society and the world at large
“Through practical examples and real-life experiences, these programs will help any leader who wants to keep up with new environmental, ethical, financial and societal demands.”
(Brazil)
Claudia Sender
Non-Executive Director, Telefonica, Embraer, Holcim and Gerdau
“The permanent value I have derived is so immense, that anyone acceding to my recommendation to take this course is likely to be grateful!”
(India)
Shailesh Haribhakti (GCB.D)
Chairman, Blue Star LTD, Larsen & Toubro Financial Holdings LTD, NSDL E-Governance Infrastructure Co of India LTD
“The program’s knowledgeable global leaders, and regular interactions with the participating board members from many countries and organizations, was remarkable. The program exceeded my expectations.”
(Canada)
Peter Bowie (GCB.D, CCB.D)
Independent Director, Magna International, Xebec, FedNav, DMZ Accelerator
Eligible for 13.6 CPE Credits across the US and Canada. For more information contact alumni@competentboards.com
Upcoming Cohorts
Board Members
For non-executive directors, independent directors, and executive directors.
Business Leaders
For senior executives, investors, and board advisors.
Program Details
3 live sessions with
expert global faculty
3 live case-based sessions
with cohort peers
12 Modules
Insights from
world-renowned experts
Global Networking Opportunities
Curated Toolbox
for each module
35 hours of study
CLE/CPE credit eligible
Do you believe you are equipped to make more informed decisions?
believe they are better equipped to make more informed decisions.
It's all in the numbers
In April 2024, we conducted a survey of over 1,000 alumni from 55 countries around the world. Here is what they said:
believe they are better equipped to make more informed decisions.
feel more confident communicating with the board and other stakeholders.
attribute their Competent Boards credentials to helping them get a new board seat or board committee appointment.
would recommend Competent Boards to their network.
A Format Designed for Busy Schedules
Module 1. Understanding New Geopolitical Risks and Expectations for Companies
Explore the complex geopolitical landscape that companies must navigate today. Gain insights into assessing geopolitical risks, meeting increased demands for ethical governance, and to tackle challenges and seize opportunities in a shifting global environment.
Module 2. Dealing with Dilemmas: Turning Business Risks into Opportunities
Navigate the unpredictable landscape of environmental, societal, and digital disruptions. Learn to balance short-term and long-term goals, enhance board-shareholder engagement, and refine disclosure practices to build resilience and sustainability.
Module 3. How to Use the UN Sustainable Development Goals Strategically
Delve into the strategic integration of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into corporate practices. Align business strategies with SDGs to drive innovation, oversee SDG implementation through board committees, leverage SDGs for competitive advantage, and ensure internal incentives support these goals.
Module 4. Impacts of Climate Change and Biodiversity: A Board’s Accountability
Explore the interconnected impacts of climate change, biodiversity, and socio-economic stability. Assess physical and transitional risks, understand the regulatory landscape, and enhance governance skills for addressing climate change and natural capital.
Module 5. How to Build ESG Oversight and Foresight
Lead with confidence by integrating ESG responsibilities into board committee charters. Learn how to align with stakeholder expectations, foster transparency, and create long-term value through robust ESG oversight and strategic foresight.
Module 6. Understanding Human Rights and Environmental Issues in Supply Chains
Address human rights and environmental issues within supply chains. Assess and mitigate risks related to modern slavery, forced labor, and environmental impacts, ensuring responsible and sustainable practices.
Module 7. Elevating Oversight of Human Capital Management (HCM) and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)
Integrate Human Capital Management (HCM) and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) principles within corporate governance. Drive innovation, organizational resilience, and competitive advantage through effective oversight of HCM and DEIB, ensuring alignment with evolving regulatory requirements and stakeholder expectations.
Module 8. Gaining Trust: Anti-Corruption, Integrity and Transparency Best Practices
Build a culture of integrity and transparency within your organization. This module offers essential practices to combat corruption, ensure compliance, and enhance stakeholder trust, positioning your company as a leader in ethical governance.
Module 9. Understanding Responsible Use of Data, Cybersecurity, AI and Digitalization
Navigate the digital age with confidence by understanding AI, data ethics, privacy, and cyber resilience. Learn to leverage digital technologies, foster transparency, maintain regulatory compliance, and protect corporate reputation while driving sustainable growth.
Module 10. Addressing Tax, Investment & Pay in an ESG-Focused World
Explore critical aspects of tax, investment, and executive compensation within the context of ESG principles. Understand evolving expectations for responsible tax practices, integrate ESG metrics into investment decisions, and align executive pay with long-term sustainable goals.
Module 11. Maximizing Shareholder and Stakeholder Engagement Around Disclosures
Enhance your communication and engagement strategies with shareholders and stakeholders. This module covers materiality considerations, strategic stakeholder engagement, and how to navigate the rise of shareholder activism with transparent and informative disclosures.
Module 12. Becoming a Steward of the Future: Best Practices in Corporate Governance
Position your organization at the forefront of sustainable and responsible business practices. This module equips leaders with insights to drive forward-looking governance, enhancing corporate resilience and earning stakeholder trust.
Join esteemed faculties and global peers in a safe space primed for open dialogues on current, critical topics at the forefront of board members’ minds.
- Engage with Leading Experts: Interact directly with faculty speakers who are at the cutting edge of governance and sustainability, gaining insights into the latest trends, opportunities, challenges, and solutions.
- Interactive Learning Environment: Participate in a dynamic online setting that promotes active engagement through real-time discussions, Q&A sessions, and the sharing of experiences and best practices.
- Focus on Critical Issues: Delve into current topics of paramount importance to board members, including governance frameworks, sustainability strategies, ethical leadership, and the impact of real-time global trends on organizational oversight.
This engaging peer-peer case discussion not only imparts critical knowledge but also fosters a dynamic network to excel in your role.
- Real-World Case Studies: Dive deep into actual business scenarios, analyzing challenges and strategizing solutions with peers.
- Interactive Group Discussions: Engage in lively, guided discussions that stimulate critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving.
- Enhanced Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse group of peers, fostering valuable relationships and expanding your professional network.
The Board Simulation is an immersive exercise designed to replicate real-world boardroom challenges, allowing participants to apply their knowledge in a practical setting. This simulation facilitates decision-making and strategy development skills, focusing on sustainability and governance issues within a dynamic and interactive environment.
It’s a capstone experience of the program, ensuring participants can translate theoretical learning into actionable insights in a risk-free, collaborative setting.
- Use the transformative curriculum as preparation materials.
- Attend at least four out of the six scheduled sessions and discussions.
- Successfully complete the board simulation, assessed by external jurors.
Your cohort members will include leaders from the United States, Australia, Brazil, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Canada and the United Kingdom representing a range of sectors, including manufacturing, insurance, IT, government, travel, healthcare, and oil & gas.
The content features exclusive insights from over 50 members of our faculty of globally renowned thought leaders, such as:
Francesca Ecsery
Non-executive Director, Air France, Henderson High Income Trust plc., Haffner Energy S.A., Association of Investment Companies (AIC); SID, CT Automotive plc.
Jakob Stausholm
Chief Executive Officer, Rio Tinto
Esther Aguilera
Board Member, Thirty Percent Coalition; Senior Advisor, Altura Capital, ALPFA, Inc.; Former President & CEO, Latino Corporate Directors Association (LCDA)
Miriam Vogel
President and CEO, EqualAI; Chair, National AI Advisory Committee (NAIAC)
John Streur
Founding Member Investor Advisory Group, SASB; Advisory Board Member ESG Initiative, The Wharton School; Advisory Board Member, Boston University Impact Measurement & Allocation Program (IMAP)
Alphonso David
President & CEO, Global Black Economic Forum
Jens W. Moberg
Owner and Founder, Leadership Institute; Chairman, Grundfos, pK Chemicals A/S and Adapteo; Vice Chairman, Poul Due Jensen Foundation; Board Member and Kirk Kapital
Chiara Del Prete
EFRAG Sustainability Reporting TEG (EFRAG SR TEG) Chair
Annette Stube
Chief Sustainability Officer, The LEGO Group; Board Member, Solvay
Agnes K Y Tai
PhD, CCB.D, SCR®, ESG Investing, FRM, CAIA, MBA, FHKIoD, Director of Great Glory Investment Corporation and Senior Advisor of iPartners Holdings Ltd.