KCB, in partnership with the Black Excellence in Governance Awards (BEGA), is delighted to launch a fully funded bursary for one governance professional from a Black or Black heritage background.
KCB and BEGA are committed to increasing diversity and inclusion within the governance profession by creating opportunities that support the development of future leaders whose experiences and perspectives reflect the communities and organisations they serve.
Neill McWilliams, KCB Programme Leader commented “Diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, experiences and voices is a cornerstone of strong governance. At KCB, we are committed to fostering inclusivity across all our programmes, and we want to ensure that our MSc Governance is no exception. We are proud to partner with BEGA to support talented Black governance professionals in reaching their full potential and contributing to the future of the governance profession.”
Kako Mavalla, Convener of BEGA, commented: “One of BEGA’s core objectives is to create opportunities that extend beyond recognition and support the development of diverse pipeline of governance talent. We are delighted to partner with KCB to offer a life-changing bursary to a talented governance professional. By helping to remove barriers to world-class education in corporate governance, this initiative will equip the winner with the knowledge, skills and networks to thrive in the profession. We hope it is the first of many initiatives that help make governance more diverse, inclusive and representative of the communities we serve.”
The bursary will cover the full tuition fees for the MSc Governance programme, delivered by KCB in collaboration with the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (CGIUKI) and the University of Essex. This unique programme provides a dual qualification, enabling graduates to achieve both an MSc Governance and Graduate Membership (GradCG) of CGIUKI, with a pathway to Chartered status for those who meet the relevant professional experience requirements.
This is the first bursary scheme KCB has introduced for its MSc Governance programme, and we are actively developing further initiatives to ensure the programme is accessible to talented professionals from all backgrounds.
Application Process
The selection process consists of three stages:
- Initial submission: Applicants submit their CV and a 500–750 word personal statement
- Short essay stage: Eligible applicants will receive the short‑essay brief on 25 August and will have one week to submit a 300–500 word written response (2 September deadline)
- Final selection: The top candidates will be invited to interview during the week commencing 15 September. The successful candidate will be notified by the end of September and will join the MSc Governance programme starting 12 October 2026. The bursary will be formally awarded at the BEGA Awards Ceremony on 15 October 2026
Who the Bursary is for
The bursary is open to applicants who:
- Identify as being from a Black or Black‑heritage background
- Are based in the United Kingdom for the duration of the programme
- Applicants from all sectors are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to those working in contexts where employer sponsorship for postgraduate study is not typically available, including the non-profit, charity, and voluntary sectors
- Meet the academic entry requirements for the MSc Governance
- Are able commit to part‑time study over two years
Why this matters
The governance profession plays a vital role in strengthening accountability, transparency and ethical leadership across organisations. By supporting talented individuals who may face barriers to postgraduate study, KCB and BEGA aim to contribute to a more inclusive and representative governance community.
How to apply
Applications are now open. Initial applications of your CV and Personal Statement will close on 18 August 2026.
Full details and submission instructions can be found below.
| Date | Event |
| 25 June | Applications open to submit your CV and 500-750 word personal statement to sophie@kcbglobal.net |
| 18 August | Deadline for CV & personal statement submissions |
| 25 August | Short‑essay instructions sent to eligible applicants |
| 2 September | Deadline for 300–500 word short‑essay submissions |
| w/c 15 September | Interviews with top 5 candidates |
| End of September | Final decision and winner notified |
| 12 October | MSc Governance programme begins |
| 15 October | BEGA Awards Evening |
You can learn more about the MSc Governance programme with KCB here.