The Dubai Financial Market and Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance, Hawkamah, are currently holding the first board secretary accreditation workshop designed for DFM listed companies. Board secretaries play a vital role in good corporate governance and this practical course is designed to equip participants with knowledge and skills to enhance their effectiveness and provide them with up-to-date understanding of the duties and responsibilities of a board secretary in a DFM listed company.

This course forms a part of Hawkamah’s and DFM’s strategic partnership to further enhance the implementation of corporate governance within listed companies and strengthen the leading position of Dubai as a dynamic capital markets hub and center of excellence. Over the past years, DFM has played a pivotal role in promoting the increasing adherence of listed companies to corporate governance regulations. This proactive approach has been widely welcomed by listed companies and significantly strengthened investors’ confidence.

Commenting on the importance of this course, Essa Kazim, Chairman of DFM, said, "Good corporate governance promotes market confidence, helps attract long-term capital and fosters market discipline through appropriate disclosure and transparency. We believe board secretaries have a significant role to play in upholding a company’s governance practices and we seek to support and empower them in this regard."

Hamad Buamim, Chairman of Hawkamah said, "The responsibilities of board secretaries in regional companies have evolved significantly in recent years from an administrative to a more strategic role of considerable influence at the heart of governance operations within a company. This course underlines the importance of a good board secretary bridging the gap between the boardroom and the executive management and facilitating more effective decision making within an organization."

The course participants passing their exams will be awarded with a Certified Board Secretary certificate. The next course will be held in October 2017.