Ahead of our Certificate in Corporate Compliance & Governance starting this October, we asked our Tutors, Helen Hopkins and Susan Wallace, what they think the benefits are of taking this course.
Helen brings a wealth of experience working for over 35 years in share registration, specialising in employee share plan administration. For the last 10 years, Helen has continued her academic studies part-time and recently completed a Master of Research (MRes) in Management with Birkbeck, University of London, obtaining the prize for the Best Overall Student in Management. She is also currently studying for a Graduate Diploma in Economics. Helen is an Associate of the CGI, on the ProShare Advisory Panel and a member of the QCA Share Schemes Expert Group. Helen is delighted that having completed the Certificate Course herself in 1990, she is now able to pass on her experience to the current students
Susan is also a proud alumna of KCB, where she completed her Chartered Governance Institute studies. Drawing on her own experience as a Company Secretary in the professional services sector, Susan encourages her students to stay curious, be a technical expert and continue to seek new governance challenges. Susan is a Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute and an experienced governance professional with a long-standing career in company secretarial practice. She is the Author of the ICSA Company Secretary’s Troubleshooter (3rd edition, 2012) and a regular contributor to technical updates and industry publications.
With their extensive professional backgrounds and deep commitment to supporting students, Helen and Susan bring a wealth of insight into what makes the Certificate such a valuable starting point for anyone beginning their governance journey. Drawing on their academic experience, industry expertise and years of working closely with students, they shared their perspectives on why the Certificate in Corporate Compliance & Governance is an excellent choice for those looking to build strong foundations in governance and compliance.
1. What makes the Certificate particularly valuable compared with other foundational governance or compliance qualifications?
Helen: The Certificate provides a practical aspect to governance work. We go into the nuts and bolts of how to deal with governance and share registration tasks on a day to day basis, helping students understand exactly what they would need in the workplace. Rather than just focusing on theory, we look at how regulations and governance requirements are applied in practice and the challenges that can arise. Students come away with knowledge they can use immediately in their role, whether they are working in company secretarial, governance or share registration environments. The programme was developed specifically to meet employer needs and a practical focus remains one of its greatest strengths today.
Susan: This course not only covers the fundamentals of company law and company secretarial practice, students will also learn about important governance principles such as effective internal controls, identifying and mitigating risks, ESG and the governance of information.
2. If you were advising someone at the start of their governance career, why would you recommend this programme?
Helen: This course provides a good rounded awareness of all the different areas that students will come across during their working life. It helps them understand how the various elements of company secretarial and share registration fit together.
It also provides a networking opportunity that can stay with them throughout their career. I completed this course over 30 years ago and one of the people I studied with is someone I still see at industry events and have worked with in recent years. Those professional relationships can last your whole career.
Susan: This course runs for 9 months with online classes every two to three weeks. For someone just starting their governance career, the format of this course allows busy professionals time to explore certain aspects of company secretarial practice without the time pressure of the standard CGI qualification where students have a 10-week study programme before taking an exam.
3. What are your favourite aspects of this course?
Helen: One of the things I enjoy most about the programme is that students come from a wide range of backgrounds and organisations. They all have different experiences, and many will carry out specific parts of the course within their day to day role.
The discussions we have during the live sessions are often just as valuable as the course materials themselves because students are able to share real examples from their workplaces. This helps everyone gain first-hand insight into how governance works in practice. As a tutor, I learn something new every year from hearing about the different experiences that students bring to the course.
Susan: My favourite aspect has to be the guest speakers who join a lecture and share their governance journey. It is inspiring to hear from professionals who may have completed the Certificate course and now enjoy a fulfilling and successful career in the governance sector.
4. How does this Certificate help students build the skills and confidence needed for the Qualifying Programme or the MSc Governance?
Helen: The Certificate is a qualification in its own right, but for those looking to progress further it provides an excellent foundation. It introduces students to the main areas of corporate compliance and governance that they are likely to explore in greater depth later in their studies.
It also helps students develop the study skills and confidence needed for future qualifications. For many people this is their first experience of formal learning for some time, so getting used to balancing study, assignments and assessments can be invaluable preparation for the Qualifying Programme or MSc Governance.
Susan: As students get to know each other and their tutors, they start to share their governance and technical experiences as well as their concerns with the group. This gives them a unique support group where they are encouraged to ask questions or share their knowledge and expertise.
5. How easy is it to fit this programme around a full time job and personal commitments?
Helen: The course runs on a Monday evening from 6pm to 7.30pm approximately every two weeks, making it manageable alongside a full-time job. We have some students who join directly from the office after a day’s work and others who join from home.
Like any qualification, it does require discipline to complete the reading, coursework and self-study outside of the live sessions. However, the programme has been designed to be flexible, with online resources and recorded sessions available if work or personal commitments get in the way from time to time. Over the years I have taught many students who have successfully balanced demanding jobs, family responsibilities and study. It takes commitment, but it is certainly achievable.
Susan: Three of the modules are assessed by assignments and one by a short exam, giving students a lot of free time to study each module. Combined with the online classes, we hope to provide a good base where each student feels supported and able to ask questions or advice when / if they start to struggle.
6. How would you describe the assessment approach, and what can student expect when preparing for it?
Helen: Each module has its own assessment. Three modules are assessed by assignment and one module is assessed by examination. The assignments allow students to explore topics in greater depth and often relate what they have learned to situations within their own workplace. The examination focuses on testing their understanding across the syllabus and applying that knowledge to real-life scenarios.
For those who have not written an essay or sat an examination in recent years, we spend time explaining what is expected and helping students structure their work. There is plenty of support available throughout the programme and students are encouraged to ask questions. We want them to succeed and help them build confidence in their academic skills as well as their professional knowledge.
Susan: This approach allows all students to invest time in studying and understanding a topic fully.
7. In your view, what is the strongest reason a student should choose the Certificate?
Helen: For me, the strongest reason is that the programme is genuinely relevant to the tasks people do every day. Students are not just learning theory, they are learning practical knowledge and skills that they can take straight back into the workplace. Having completed the Certificate myself many years ago, I know first-hand the value it can bring. The qualification gave me a strong foundation for my career and I am delighted to now help the next generation of governance professionals do the same.
Susan: This Certificate equips students with the essentials of company secretarial practice and governance principles and also gives them the option to progress their studies via the CGI Qualifying Programme or the MSc Governance qualification.
The next cohort starts on Monday 5 October. If you would like to join, register here.