Youth Leadership - Developing the next generation of board leaders

As the expectation for boards to perform increases, and with the recent economic challenges experienced as a result of board failures, it has become pivotal to equip tomorrow’s board members with the tools and the skills to succeed. Added to this, there is a clear awareness of the importance of developing the younger generation, especially those from the underrepresented populations to encourage and prepare them to take up the responsibilities of managing and sitting on boards.

To do this, the ACGP has developed a leadership program specifically aimed at young professionals and students between the ages of 19 and 30. Its aim is to teach these individuals about corporate governance and the importance of good governance within organisations. We will help new leaders representing the diversity of their communities become engaged and effective board members.

Purpose of the Young Governance Leadership Programme

The aim of this programme is to develop young people’s understanding of Corporate Governance concepts and practices. This will enable them to act as Corporate Governance Practitioners and make valuable strategic contributions to the organisations that they serve.

The concept of young governance leaders was pioneered by Professor Karl George MBE, who has successfully founded and been instrumental in many community initiatives at a local, national and international basis over the last twenty years. These include the first international chapter of 100 Black Men, a thirty year old previously American only organisation with over 10,000 members and reaching over 100,000 young people each year, the creation of the Young Directors forum of the Institute of Directors, which is now a part of the national programme; the 12-8 group: an entrepreneurial network for high-growth businesses; and many other initiatives.

There are too few people from grass roots that have been exposed to the leadership and governance of the organisations that they serve, and many other organisations could benefit from the expertise of young professionals who may not as yet have the required specific governance expertise.  The Young Governance Leadership Programme aims to address this gap by finding young professionals that can broaden their experience by learning about governance. They will be complemented on the programme by those who have no formal professional qualifications but a lot of practical experience in governance and leadership.

The programme is sponsored by the Association of Corporate Governance Practitioners (ACGP) and a grant from the Birmingham Leadership Foundation. There is no cost to participants.

The programme offers:

1. A comprehensive course workbook to include signposting of leadership courses and programmes specifically aimed at young people.
2. Each candidate will be allocated a mentor who will volunteer to workwith their mentee for three to six sessions to deal with the effective board behaviour.
3. Opportunity to develop networking, debating and research skills, event management and fund-raising techniques.
4. Participants will have the opportunity to observe and be considered for the board membership of medium sized and large third sector organisations.
5. Psychometric testing and strengths profiling.
6. Eligibility to sit the governance practitioner course.
7. Student membership of the ACGP.
8. Access to an on-line portal with governance and leadership tools and resources.
9. Dedicated section of ACGP website for interaction with other graduates.
10. A comprehensive biography and pen portrait for each student.
11. Visits and experiences with high profile speakers and practitioners.
12. A certificate of achievement and graduation ceremony.

Programme Steps:

• Complete application form.
• Go through orientation.
• Attend an interview.
• Short-listing and selection.
• Engagement and sign up.
• Attend GC Course.
• Pairing with a  mentor and organisation.
• Attend board meetings.
• Evaluation of programme.

To register your interest in the next ACGP - Young Governance Leadership Program, contact the ACGP Courses team.