Abdul-Gader, commissioner of the Capital Market Authority of Saudi Arabia. The initial workshop addressed those requirements through sessions on director selection, development and succession; director roles and responsibilities; board roles, structure, processes and protocols; and board dynamics, self-review and succession. Sessions included presentations, small-group case studies and cafe-style breakout sessions in an environment of candid discussion. The workshop was unique because it brought a regional cultural perspective to the issues faced by board members, said Abdullah Al-Zamil, CEO of Zamil Industrial Investment Co. “But most importantly, the biggest gain was from the mix of delegates and lecturers representing a wide spectrum of businesses and professionals. Such initiatives will go a long way in ensuring proper corporate governance among organizations for the protection of shareholders and, most importantly, stakeholders at large.” Jum‘ah emphasized that, in the region, “The need for more capable board management is an idea whose time has come.”
