Board Papers for Boards and Committees

Board and committee papers are the cornerstone of decision making for external directors. Unlike executive directors, external directors by their nature rely on others (normally management) to provide them with information needed to make decisions relating to the business of the organisation. It is unquestionable that well researched and well prepared papers will result in better quality (and potentially faster) decision making both at board and committee level thus providing potentially significant cost benefits to those involved.

The aim of this course is to provide participants with an understanding of board and committee papers, their preparation, purpose and use.

The key objectives are to:

• examine the process for preparing papers, managing timelines and challenges in their drafting, including writing effectively
• provide guidance to achieve a balanced agenda and clearly written paper to enhance the board and /or committee’s ability to manage its information flow
• describe time and cost efficiencies which can be achieved in preparing papers, whilst making the information flow to directors more transparent
• apply the process of balancing a strategic agenda to address the board and /or committee’s priorities.

Who should attend?

• newly appointed company secretaries
• assistant company secretaries
• secretariat support staff
• professionals and managers requiring a refresher
• anyone likely to move into a company secretarial role in the near future