Institute of Directors launches new director training programmes

The Institute of Directors (IoD) has launched a series of workshops and seminars to impart significant new information and skills acquisition to local company directors, CEOs, managing directors and chairmen, starting on Saturday.

Explaining that this project will last some nine months and see international heavyweights such as Sir Keith Bright, Victor Hughes and Jonathan Rice flying into Malta exclusively to speak at these events, IoD chairman James Satariano said: "We have developed a series of director development modules for directors at every level of the board to improve their performance by developing the skills and knowledge needed to lead a competitive business.

"There are a number of modules available, including a very innovative group of sessions on finance, branding and board effectiveness. Every director has to deal with these issues, so learning about them from global experts will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many local business people. We will also be arranging consultative meetings with Government, parastatals and the private sector while our speakers are here.

"Sir Keith will be here to meet our business leaders, and we are likely to be the major beneficiaries. By bringing international business to our doorstep, IoD is seeking to ensure that Maltese business can compete when it matters most. We are doing this to make sure that the business climate in Malta is suitable for a modern open economy on the verge of taking one of the most important steps in its history."

This programme is designed by Peter Barrett, a founding council member of IoD Hong Kong, who is to return to Malta to deliver two new workshops next January. He will also re-run the very popular introductory level four-module series after numerous requests from local directors. The four modules are Corporate Direction, Strategic Thinking, Challenges to the Family Business and How to Overcome Them, and Role Relationships and Committees. Those directors attending all 11 sessions will benefit from reduced costs. 

Mr Satariano advised local companies not to be complacent as Malta heads towards the Eurozone: "Good governance is essential for sound business operations, strong profitability and sustainability.

"If the people leading Maltese companies are not sufficiently prepared, they risk being unable to compete effectively when Malta joins the euro."

All modules will be held at Hilton Malta from Saturday at 9 a.m.

For more information and booking, call Elena Scicluna on tel. 2124-5223, e-mail: es@chamber.org.mt or visit www.iod4seasons.com. IoD chairman James Satariano can be contacted on 9949-5800.