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Baltic Institute of Corporate Governance (BICG) invites to attend the Board Member Education program in spring 2019.

Background of the Education

The program is designed to introduce Board and Supervisory Council members, shareholders and top executives to the best principles of corporate governance, providing a strong basis for their implementation in practice.

“It offers an opportunity to learn about the best practices in separating and fulfilling their particular responsibilities, to ensure a long-term success of a company,” says Rytis Ambrazevičius, President of the BICG.

Topics of the education program are compiled based on the principles and recommendations on corporate governance by the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group (IFC) and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Education is held in the English language, it consists of three sessions (two days each, six in total) and final examination.

Spring dates:
• May 9^th and 10^th – first session in Vilnius, Lithuania;
• May 16^th and 17^th – second session in Tallinn, Estonia;
• May 23^rd and 24^th – third session in Riga, Latvia.

To see the full introduction to the program, please follow the link below:

INTRODUCTION (EN)

For more information, please contact:

Rytis Ambrazevičius
President
Mob. +370 698 17011
E-mail rytis[at]bicg.eu

Andris Grafs
Vice President Latvia
Mob. +371 297 84407
E-mail andris[at]bicg.eu

As the community of the Baltic Institute of Corporate Governance (BICG) continues to grow, we are pleased to be welcoming the 200^th member this year.

Inese Zīle, Management Board member at the Development Finance Institution Altum, has joined as an individual member at the end of August.

„I believe strongly that nowadays a high standard of corporate governance in a company is not a trendy whim, but an absolute necessity. It brings the company’s values into action, provides for transparency of the processes and distinct route to be followed to achieve the targets. From my own experience in Altum – a state-owned capital company, implementation of the principles of corporate governance in the daily operations was one of the criteria that qualified the company for the high rating from the international credit rating agency Moody’s. Being aware of the implementation benefits, we urge also other companies to implement good corporate governance and make highest governance standards the corner stone of the company’s operations“, says Ms Zīle.

Currently, the community of the BICG is the largest it has ever been, with new members joining those who are continuing their support since the first start nearly a decade ago.

„Nasdaq has a long-standing commitment to promoting sound corporate governance, and the BICG has been our best in class partner in driving this important agenda in the Baltic region. During the nine years of operation, BICG‘s community has achieved a remarkable impact in the Baltics by raising awareness, bringing best corporate governance practice, professionalising Boards and educating Board members. It’s encouraging to see new members joining this cause, which is key for competitiveness and sustainable development of our region“, says Arminta Saladžienė, Vice President of Nasdaq, a corporate supporter of the BICG.

With corporate governance agenda becoming more prominent in the Baltics, the activities of the BICG have grown in their scope as well.

“We are appreciative of the support of the Baltic business community. We see it as our team and as an inspiration for our work. I want to thank everybody who supports our policy advocacy, research, education and all the other activities in encouraging best corporate governance practices in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia”, says Rytis Ambrazevičius, President of the BICG.

Baltic Institute of Corporate Governance (BICG) invites to attend the Board Member Education program to be held in autumn of 2018.

Background of the Education

The program is designed to introduce Board and Supervisory Council members, shareholders and top executives to the best principles of corporate governance, providing a strong basis for their practical implementation.

“It offers an opportunity to learn about the best practices in separating and fulfilling their particular responsibilities, to ensure a long-term success of a company,” says Rytis Ambrazevičius, President of the BICG.

Topics of the education program are compiled based on the principles and recommendations on corporate governance by the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group (IFC) and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Education is held in the English language, it consists of three sessions (two days each, six in total) and final examination.

Autumn dates:
• October 4^th and 5^th – first session in Vilnius, Lithuania;
• October 11^th and 12^th – second session in Tallinn, Estonia;
• October 18^th and 19^th – third session in Jurmala, Latvia.

To see the full introduction to the program, please follow the link below:

INTRODUCTION (EN)

For more information, please contact:

Rytis Ambrazevičius
President
Mob. +370 698 17011
E-mail rytis[at]bicg.eu

Andris Grafs
Vice President Latvia
Mob. +371 297 84407
E-mail andris[at]bicg.eu

The Board of the Baltic Institute of Corporate Governance (BICG) was unanimous in electing Daiga Auziņa-Melalksne as the Chair of the Board for the third year.

“Effective guidance by the BICG Board and its Chair is a key reason behind the many successes of the BICG. I am delighted to know that Daiga will continue in her role for what we plan to be another very active year,” says Rytis Ambrazevičius, President of the BICG.

Ms Auziņa-Melalksne is the Head of Exchange Services at Nasdaq Baltic and the CEO of Nasdaq Riga. She is a member of the Management Board at Nasdaq Tallinn.

“While impact of corporate governance is substantially increasing among both public and private sector companies, helping to ensure sustainable economic growth and competitiveness of the Baltic region, there is still an obvious need to advance the best practices even further, and the BICG will continue to be a leading force in these changes,” says Ms Auziņa-Melalksne.

Board of the BICG is appointed by the members of the BICG at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), and establishes the strategies, goals and business procedures for the association.

Members of the Board elect the Chair in their first meeting held after the AGM.

More information about all of the BICG Board members can be found online here.

BICG is a non-profit and non-governmental organization missioned to deliver value to its stakeholders by promoting global competitiveness of Baltic companies through adoption of leading corporate governance practices.

Contacts:

Rytis Ambrazevičius
President
Baltic Institute of Corporate Governance
Phone: +370 698 17011
Email: rytis[at]bicg.eu

On the 19th of April, the Baltic Institute of Corporate Governance (BICG) held the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Governance Conference 2018, in Vilnius.

The morning session was dedicated for the AGM, with the members from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland meeting to discuss key achievements of the BICG during the previous year.

The afternoon session and Governance Conference 2018 focused on the major new trends in corporate governance, including new competencies needed in contemporary boards, investors’ expectations and more.

AGM

Members of the BICG approved the annual activity and audited financial reports during the AGM, and the overall Annual Report 2017 can now be found online here.

Board elections were held as well, with Indrek Hääl stepping down after completing his tenure, and Priit Leppasepp, General Counsel of Nelja Energia, being elected as the new member of the Board.

„We sincerely thank Indrek Hääl for the three years he has worked as a Board member of the BICG, helping to guide our work during an active period of growth, and we are happy to welcome Priit Leppasepp, who will contribute a new Estonian voice to all Board discussions,” says Rytis Ambrazevičius, President of the BICG.

The AGM has also elected the Nomination Committee, for a tenure of 1 year.

More information about the BICG leadership can be found online here.

Governance Conference 2018

The annual Governance Conference this year was focused on the key new trends in corporate governance, signalling the evolution of necessary board competencies and new additions to the board agenda.

It was opened with the welcome speech by Virginijus Sinkevičius, Minister of Economy of Lithuania, who shared an encouraging vision for the further progress of corporate governance in state-owned companies.

Among the speakers were Jakob Stengel, Chair of the Danish Professional Directors Association; James Jarvis, corporate governance analyst at the Institute of Directors, UK; Eric Pedersen, member of the Danish Corporate Governance Committee; and Sören Mellstig, independent Board professional from Sweden.

“As indicated by the speakers who are all well experienced and informed in their respective fields, new trends in corporate governance reflect the rapidly changing business environment, ever more frequent disruptions as well as a growing demand from stakeholders to consider a wider role a company plays in the society. These changes call for adjustments in the board agenda, for contemplation of what new competencies are necessary for an effective board work and for a realisation that good governance culture should really go beyond just the board work and be fostered at all levels of the company,“ says Mr Ambrazevičius.

Program of the AGM & Conference

Opening speech by Virginijus Sinkevičius, Minister of Economy of Lithuania.

Jakob Stengel, Chair of the Danish Professional Directors Association, shared his insights into Board competencies needed in contemporary Boards and more.

James Jarvis, corporate governance analyst at the Institute of Directors, UK, spoke on new shifts in corporate governance indicated by the changes in the UK governance code.

Eric Pedersen, member of the Danish Corporate Governance Committee and CEO at Nordea Invest, shared investors’ view and expectations for future Boards.

Sören Mellstig, independent Board professional from Sweden, discussed Board’s role in ensuring long-term sustainable business model in the rapidly changing business environment.

Coffee and discussions, with Andris Grafs, Vice President Latvia of the BICG; Daiga Auziņa-Melalksne, Chair of the Board of the BICG; and Guntars Baļčūns, member of the Board of the BICG.

Coffee and discussions.

We thank our member Schage Real Estate for hosting us at the Quadrum business center.

Baltic Institute of Corporate Governance (BICG) invites members to the Annual General Meeting and Corporate Governance Conference 2018, to be held on the 19^th of April in Vilnius.

Following the article 5.6 of the Statutes of the association Baltic Institute of Corporate Governance (legal entity code 302441498; registered address Jogailos St. 4, Vilnius, Lithuania), the President of the association hereby convenes the annual general meeting (AGM) of members of the association, the main details of which can be found below:

AGM & Conference (EN)

Agenda of the AGM (EN)

Agenda of the AGM (LT)

At the AGM, we will discuss the activities and development of the BICG, hold Board elections and more.

Corporate Governance Conference 2018 will focus on key new trends in corporate governance.

Among our speakers, we will welcome Mr Jakob Stengel, Chair of the Danish Professional Directors Association, who will discuss what Board competencies are needed in contemporary Boards.

We will also be joined by Mr James Jarvis, corporate governance analyst, Institute of Directors, UK, who will speak on what new shifts in corporate governance are indicated by the recent changes in the UK governance code.

Mr Sören Mellstig, independent Board professional, Sweden, is set to discuss Board’s role in ensuring long-term sustainable business model in the rapidly changing business environment; and Mr Eric Pedersen, member of the Danish Corporate Governance Committee, will present investors’ view and expectations for future Boards.

We are looking forward to seeing you.

For more information, please contact:

Rytis Ambrazevičius
President
Mob. +370 698 17011
Email: rytis[at]bicg.eu

The Baltic Institute of Corporate Governance (BICG) is joining the European Confederation of Directors’ Associations (ecoDa) as a new member.

ecoDa unites 20 national institutes of directors throughout Europe, acting as a corporate governance expertise sharing network, a place for debate and a credible voice in the development of corporate governance related recommendations.

Operating in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, the BICG will be able to contribute a Baltic perspective regarding the European corporate governance framework.

“We are looking forward to being a part of the European corporate governance knowledge sharing network and to adding a Baltic voice to the conversation. Both Estonia and Latvia are now members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the accession process of Lithuania is set to conclude in the near future. Being a part of ecoDa is a new step to achieve even more access to corporate governance expertise for the Baltic business community,” says Rytis Ambrazevičius, President of the BICG.

Among other things, the Baltic countries are often perceived as a model for entrepreneurially-oriented policies and are, together with the other Nordic countries, front-runners of digitalization in Europe. “This new member adds diversity to our European voice of directors and brings new perspectives at a time when digitalization is high on the agenda of the European Commission”, stated Irena Prijovic, ecoDa’s Chair. “Given that entrepreneurship is a key driver of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we rely on the input of the Baltic Institute of Corporate Governance to help us shape what Corporate Governance of tomorrow should look like”.

About

BICG delivers value to its members and stakeholders by promoting global competitiveness of Baltic companies through adoption of leading corporate governance practices. To achieve this goal, BICG is carrying out policy advocacy activities in cooperation with the Baltic governments and international organizations (such as the OECD); developing research and guidelines as tools for corporate governance improvements among Baltic companies; and providing education for professional board members and chairpersons in terms of designated education programs, business delegations, annual events and seminars.

ecoDa is a non-profit association founded in December 2004 under the laws of Belgium. Through its national institutes of directors (the leading national institutes in Europe), ecoDa represents approximately 55,000 board directors from across the EU. The member organisations of ecoDa represent board directors from the largest public companies to the smallest private firms, both listed and unlisted.

Press release by ecoDa

For more information: http://www.ecoda.org