Diploma in Director Skills and Duties

The new Diploma in Director Skills and Duties aims to provide students with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the skills needed to thrive as a non-executive director or charitable trustee.

The diploma provides an overview of these rewarding roles as well as practical guidance on the essential elements of corporate governance, including fiduciary duties, understanding and investigating financial, ESG and other internal reports and the due diligence that should be carried out prior to accepting a role.  Students will gain unique insight into board meetings and effective board behaviour through participation in an innovative boardroom simulation module. In addition, a crisis management module will help participants to prepare, respond and recover in the face of an urgent organisational issue.

Module 1: Board fundamentals

• Understanding the typical board structure and the director’s role concerning the board, mapping and managing relationships with key stakeholders,
• Communicating effectively and leading with influence,
• Panel session and Q&A.

Module 2: Corporate governance

• Overview of governance,
• Corporate governance of regulated entities,
• Reporting obligations, including ESG,
• Familiarisation with the audit function and risk management,
• Considering culture, inclusion, diversity, climate and sustainability,
• Boardroom simulation workshop.

Module 3: Financial matters and personal responsibility

• Responsibility for design in construction contracts,
• Understanding management and financial accounts,
• Media awareness and social media,
• Personal reputational risk,
• Conflicts of interest and ethical considerations
• Crisis-management simulation workshop

Module 4: Finding the right fit for you

• Opportunities, due diligence, where to look?
• Assessing the likely workload involved and potential issues,
• Applying and interviewing for board positions,
• Career management workshop.

Visit the course webpage.