Reflections on EM Corporate Governance and the Controlling Group’s Conundrum
Gregorio Saichin
Impact Boards EM - CEO and Co-Founder
November 2023
Impact Boards EM Board’s co-founder and CEO Gregorio Saichin presents some thoughts on this topic post his travels to Mexico in October 2023, where he had the opportunity to meet with key stakeholders impacting corporate governance practices in the region.
The pursuit of higher standards in corporate and climate governance, board independence and diversity are simple ingredients in a formula that can hit both measurable and qualitative goals. Not only do they appear to have a correlation with economic and financial performance, but they may also directly impact the ability of a company to be investable and bankable.
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Greg notes that a cultural change in needed within emerging market corporates for Boards to be seen as risk management and strategic resources, rather than a group of disengaged individuals looking for consensus around the controlling group’s motions.
Role of Boards in Paving the ESG Roadmap for Energy and Mining Sectors
Natural Resources Forum (NRF)
ESG Energy and Mining Forum 2023, Online
9 November 2023
Impact Boards EM participated in the ESG Energy and Mining Forum 2023 organised by The Natural Resources Forum (NRF). The Forum plays a key thought-leadership role for the industry, bringing together a powerful global network of investors, corporates, advisers, government, academia and NGO's within the resources sector to discuss issues of relevance for the sustainable future growth and to address the challenges and opportunities all stakeholders are facing.
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Co-Founder of Impact Boards EM, Reema Desai, moderated a panel of experienced speakers - Maher Al Kaabi (Advisor to Group Chairman & Independent Board Member, Alserkal Group), Kweku Awotwi (Chairman of the Board, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc) and Maria Gordon (Chairperson of the Board, Costellation Oil Services) on 9th November 2023 to discuss the critical role played by corporate boards in supporting the climate transition.
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The discussion can be viewed on the link below.
The Board’s Role in Empowering Human Capital and Board Diversity Perspectives
WomenExecs on Boards
Sixth Annual Symposium, London
19 October 2023
WomenExecs on Boards, a partner of Impact Boards EM, held its Sixth Annual Symposium to unite female leaders who serve on boards in the US, Europe, LatAm, and Africa on ​October 19 2023 in London.
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Olga Pascault, Co-Founder and Chair of Impact Boards EM participated as a panelist. The panel's discussions focused on The Board’s Role in Empowering Human Capital and Board Diversity Perspectives. Olga highlighted board challenges and opportunities regarding diversity of thought, mindset, culture, and experience and how diversity and inclusion can add value to boards from companies' and investors' points view.
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To learn about WomenExecs on Boards, please visit their website using the link below.
Corporate Governance:
Do EM Investors care?
REDD Intelligence/ISI Emerging Markets
Inaugural Summit, London
16 October 2023
REDD Intelligence/ISI Emerging Markets held their inaugural Summit in London on 16th October to discuss the recent market performance and investment opportunities in Emerging markets at the ISI Emerging Markets Summit in London on October 16.
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IBEM Co-Founder and Chair Olga Pascault participated as a panellist and highlighted the key advantages and challenges of implementing ESG metrics in the investment process, with a particular focus on corporate governance.
Speakers discussed why asset managers should increasingly focus on the challenges of corporate governance in Emerging Markets and what the practical approach is to evaluate the quality of the issuers’ boards, their corporate culture, and risk management.
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REDD Intelligence are a partner of Impact Boards EM. To know more, visit their website on the link below.