NEW DELHI: Industry body Ficci today announced the setting up of an in-house centre to enhance corporate governance standards in India and provide services in this area internationally as well.
The centre will be chaired by Chairman of Shriram Capital Ltd Arun Duggal and will have its own Advisory Board, staff and funding.
One of the major initiatives of the centre for the year 2014 would be ‘Women on Corporate Boards’ which was launched last year. It involves a mentoring programme under which experienced board members will mentor and coach professional women to become ready to join corporate boards.
“We are certain that this unique initiative will improve gender balance and increase the number of women as independent directors on corporate Boards,” Ficci President Sidharth Birla said.
In 2014, the centre will also set up a peer group forum for directors called the Directors’ Forum and a board support centre that would act as a confidential help desk for board members to get advice on any board agenda item or any governance issue.
Besides, it will organise educational programmes on corporate governance for board members in partnership with academic institutions.
The centre will also act as a think tank and strive to undertake academic research, publish papers and promote scholarship in the area of corporate governance and board effectiveness.
It will interface with the government, regulators and other agencies of the government on issues relating to corporate governance.
[PTI]