The post-graduate course, which starts on 22 September and has been developed with Edexcel, is designed to aid the professionalisation of the sector.
Lesley Stephenson, publisher, Financial Times Non-Executive Directors' Club said: "In recent years, the club has been an invaluable resource for aspiring and existing non-executives, helping them to find appointments, offering them a variety of networking opportunities and keeping them up-to-date with corporate governance questions. "The Financial Times Non-Executive Director Certificate is a natural extension of this, helping non-executives undertake their duties professionally, adding real value to any board," Stephenson said. Based on the UK Corporate Governance Code, the syllabus covers the range of skills and knowledge needed for any non-executive role.
It looks at the legal liabilities and duties of a non-executive; the correct structure and operation of a board; audit and financial reporting; internal control and risk management; as well as the all-important behavioural skills needed to ensure an effective contribution to the board. The six-month programme will be delivered by course director Murray Steele, leader in the development of non-executive directors and experienced non-executive himself.
The course is taught through a mix of workshops and online distance learning and the qualification is earned through successful completion of a case study and formal exam.
