Collin Anderson and Ross Webber may now use the designation ‘Dip IoD’ after their success with the Diploma in Company Direction (Diploma) examination.

The news came in a statement from the Institute of Directors Bermuda Branch on the designations achieved through June 2017.

The three-day diploma in company direction course is an opportunity for delegates to put into practice the knowledge gained from the Certificate in Company Direction in a realistic environment.

It encourages peer-group support, challenge and stimulation, mirroring in many ways the operation of a board as delegates tackle a real-life boardroom scenario.

The three-hour diploma examination assesses a delegate’s ability to independently apply the knowledge and analytical techniques in a board context to challenges facing an organisation as outlined in an extended scenario. There are now eight diploma holders in Bermuda.

Collin Anderson offered the following: “I enjoyed attending the Improving Board Performance course in London with a mixed cohort of directors. It proved to be an extremely realistic scenario and provided strong applicability to my current role as a regulator.

“The course allowed me to hone the skill of influencing by striking the balance between being assertive and collaborative. As expected, each participant was highly qualified and experienced with the course being just as much about managing the diverse personalities as much as it was about determining a prudent course of action.

He added that what he learnt was invaluable.

“I immediately applied the skills developed to my directorship on a charitable sector board where the parallels to the scenarios were striking.

“The process emphasised the importance of directors responding with precision and speed to diagnose problems, develop strategic options and ensure appropriate oversight in today’s environment.”

Ross Webber, CEO, Bermuda Business Development Agency, said: “I have found all the IoD courses extremely valuable. The four certificate modules, taken here in Bermuda, were a great foundation for learning and reinforcing the principles of good governance.

“The three-day Diploma course, which I took at IoD headquarters in London, provided an environment to apply that learning against the backdrop of real life board scenarios.

“The Diploma course had the added dimension of interaction with people from very diverse business and geographic backgrounds. There were directors from local and multinational companies from the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Finland, the Middle East, and, of course, me from Bermuda.

“We were all required to chair at least one board meeting and this brings complex and intertwined skills and issues to bear.

Mr Webber added: “It is the board’s job to provide overarching corporate governance, top-level strategy and set the tone for the organisation in terms of vision, values and purpose. It is the job of management to effectively run the company.

“I have already used much of the output from the courses to help with the corporate governance and strategy build of the BDA.

“I strongly recommend the IoD and encourage all directors and aspiring directors to hone, sharpen and update their skill sets. I also want to see much more diversity on our boards and attaining these qualifications can only help open doors.”

In addition to Diploma success, the Branch also congratulates the following delegates who have achieved the Certificate in Company Direction, ‘Cert IoD’, designation.

• Paul Benevides, chief operating officer, Sandell Re Ltd.

• Laura West-Burt, corporate and operations manager, Notz, Stucki Management (Bermuda) Ltd.

• Julia Henderson, senior vice-president, Brit Global Specialty.

• Neil Glass, director, WW Management Ltd.

• Paul Telford, managing director, Rosewood Tucker’s Point, Bermuda.

• Delroy Duncan, director, Trott and Duncan Ltd.

• Andrea Jackson, deputy head of trust services, Conyers Trust Company (Bermuda) Ltd.

• Inger J. Mesna, consultant, Embla Ltd.

The CICD is stage one in the IoD Chartered Director programme and is a designation held by 35 resident professionals.

The CICD programme year begins with the two-day governance course, the role of the director and the board, on September 25 and 26.

The programme continues with the three-day module, the director’s role in strategy and marketing on October 2, 3 and 4.

Registration is subject to a 20-delegate maximum and is available via www.bii.bm or by calling 295-1596. To learn more about the IoD Bermuda, e-mail iodbermudabranch@gmail.com