ANNUAL GOVERNANCE & ETHICS CONFERENCE 2023

INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS OF KENYA
(Established under the Accountant Act, Laws of Kenya)

ANNUAL GOVERNANCE & ETHICS CONFERENCE 2023
Theme: Building public trust in organizational ethics and governance structures.
Venue: Sarova Whitesands Beach Hotel and Spa Mombasa
Date: 9th to 13th October 2023
09.00am-03.30pm

INTRODUCTION

Corporate ethics is a form of professional ethics, that examines ethical principles and moral or ethical problems that can arise in a business environment. It applies to all aspects of business conduct and is relevant to the conduct of individuals and entire organizations. These ethics originate from individuals, organizational statements or from the legal system. These norms, values, ethical, and unethical practices are the principles that guide a business. They help those businesses maintain a better connection with their stakeholders. Business ethics refers to contemporary organizational standards, principles, sets of values and norms that govern the actions and behavior of an individual in the business organization.

Often compliance and ethics are seen as a very strict list of rules and requirements, making people afraid to step out of line rather than encouraging their buy-in. The Conference will focus on a book by Hayward & Osborn on Compliance and Ethics which challenges this industry norm, painting it as the reason why compliance is a broken concept within the industry. It is effective in that it paves the path for clear documentation and defensible actions for companies who wish to stay insulated from any potential legal vulnerabilities created by employees. Focusing on the what and how without explaining the why creates an emotional disconnect and uninspired employees who will be more prone to burnout.

The book also explains how to engage employees in a way that motivates them while continuing to reduce the risk of penalties and damage to reputation.

Research has demonstrated that well-governed institutions worldwide perform better in financial terms. Good governance starts with a well-functioning, well-meaning board of directors that is at the heart of an organization’s corporate governance framework and is crucial to ensuring all other governance components are working effectively. Interestingly, governance remains one of the major challenges faced by corporate executives today. Changes in society, new business models, globalization and shifting economic headwinds all contribute to making it more difficult for boards to respond effectively with the right corporate governance practices.

When creating rules and regulations, the human factor may be overlooked. But the human factor is the key to a strong compliance and ethics programme. It’s not just finding employees willing to toe the line but connecting with them so that they champion company values. Engaged employees are more likely to be proud and zealous in upholding company values to which they are aligned. In short, a positive approach brings better results than using fear. Executed properly, a compliance and ethics program turn employees into stakeholders. This value-based culture of shared ownership can transform an organization.

Good principles of corporate ethics are integral to the modern-day Senior Executives and directors as they point towards the important skills and attributes required to navigate the business towards efficiency and growth by minimizing losses that would emanate from revenue leakages through fraud. Ethical principles are thus important if entrenched in the whole organization and if practiced by all staff with of course the right tone set at the top and tricking down across the chain of command within the organization.

It is against this backdrop that ICPAK has organized a Governance and Ethics Conference to focus on the following key topics:

• Strategic Leadership: The Governance of Strategy – Effective review of organisation’s core purpose, sustainability and developing smart strategic plan objectives and goals.
• Overview of the ethical dilemmas facing professionals in the modern-day world
• A review of the book: The business guide to effective compliance & ethics, by Hayward & Osborn, Clear, thorough and practical compliance guidance for employees and decision-makers to help their organisations succeed and flourish.
• The Role of the Board and Management in prudent financial stewardship & accountability
• Principles of Corporate Governance Reporting and Disclosures
• Effective Delegation by the Board and Senior Management: From Control to Empowerment
• Essentials of Good Governance: Striking a balance between the Board and the CEO’s Mandate
• Global governance issues affecting Corporations:

1. Increasing expectation of board oversight on Human Capital issues and corporate culture
2. Managing shareholder activism, virtual board and virtual shareholder meetings

• The increasing emphasis on corporate purpose

• Broader view of board diversity and inclusivity to include ethnicity and race
• Key considerations in managing shareholder involvement in the business: Effective principles of role separation.
• IT Governance: The Role of the Board and Management in the technology agenda and IT transformation
• Setting up an effective internal controls’ framework in support of organizational ethics and integrity
• Risk Governance: Critical Risk Management infrastructure for effective organization-wide risk monitoring and reporting
• Organizational Culture: Effective tone at the top in setting the right culture.
• Effective governance principles on sustainability and climate change agenda
• Ethics and Leadership

1. The Board as an ethical role model and guardian of integrity
2. Integrating integrity into business strategy and corporate culture

• Mobilizing people to make a positive change in the world and promote public value.

1. Practical approaches of reducing corporate failures

• Assessing the true cost of corruption and unethical behaviour to the business
• All rounded wellness for governance professionals and leaders

The conference targets:
• Board of Directors and Audit Committee Members
• CEOs, CFOs, Divisional Leaders and Senior Strategic Managers
• Enterprise Risk Management and Compliance Experts
• Internal & External Auditors
• Academia, Industry players, Policy Makers, Industry regulators and stakeholders from both private and public sectors

CONFERENCE CHARGES:

 Continuous Professional Development Units

Members of ICPAK and other reciprocating professional bodies will earn 20 Structured CPD points upon successfully attending the Governance and Leadership Conference.

National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) Reimbursement

The Institute is registered as a trainer with National Industrial Training Authority. The Institute’s registration number is DIT/TRN/47. Participants who are registered levy contributors should apply to NITA for reimbursement of their fees. Please note that this is applicable for Kenyan citizens only and subject to NITA regulations. Remember that to qualify you should apply to NITA for approval prior to the date of the conference. Further details can be obtained from their website (www.nita.go.ke).

 Sponsorship Opportunities & Additional Information

The Governance and Leadership Conference attracts over 200 participants drawn from both the public and private sectors presenting a rare chance for exhibitors and sponsors. Those interested in sponsoring this event can reach us through raphael.nguli@icpak.com. Other requests for information can be channelled to us via telephone on +254 733 856 262/ 727531006/ 733856262/ 721469169.

We encourage you to regularly visit our website www.icpak.com for updates on the Conference.