Board Diploma Programme
An intensive 3-day board education built specifically for the UAE and GCC. Developed in collaboration with Spencer Stuart, Clyde & Co and Grant Thornton. Taught by active board members, legal experts and governance advisors.
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What you take away
Your benefits
- Upgrade your skills by interacting with leading board experts
- Acquire new knowledge of value-adding board work
- Avoid the pitfalls in board work
- Get a professional boost to the next step in your board career
- Strengthen your network and build new relationships in board circles
- Be challenged and inspired with our Board Simulation
- Receive a diploma to prove your skills and update your board CV
- Access to our exclusive alumni network
Benefits to your company
- Use of new knowledge and tools from the board programme
- Broader understanding of the company and its stakeholders
- Candidate Search included: shortlists of board-ready executives, free for alumni companies
- A strengthened outside-in mindset
- A chance to make valuable contacts in the interests of the company
- Better understanding and cooperation with the board of directors
- Stronger distance management from the executive board
- New inspiration for strategies the company can bring into play
Three days. Real boardroom readiness.
Foundation
Director liability, duties and responsibilities under GCC law. Financial management and reporting. Risk management. The legal and financial framework every board member needs.
Value Creation
Strategy and value-adding board work. ESG governance. Board recruitment and evaluation. Crisis communication. The relationship between board, management and owners.
The Simulation
A full day board simulation built around a sophisticated real-world case. Commercial, strategic, legal and financial challenges, handled under pressure, in a room of peers.
The Board Simulation
On day three, participants form a board and work through a complex real-world case involving commercial, legal and financial dilemmas. It tests your instincts, challenges your risk appetite and shows you exactly how you perform when it matters.
"It made me question my own decision-making style and appetite for risk."Akanksha Goel, CEO & Founder
What Our Alumni Say
“My fellow board members inspired me to make the tough call alongside them.”
“No case is the same, as board members we sometimes have to solve really complex issues.”
“As a CEO I had a tunneled vision. Being on a board teaches you to look at decisions from wider perspectives.”
“Effective, efficient, and up to the mark.”
“Really privileged to be amongst a cohort of ambitious, experienced people, here for all the right reasons.”
“Both aspiring board members and those already in positions got genuinely valuable information.”
Taught by people already in the room
Rony Touma
"Advises on boardroom governance best practices and specialises in chairman and non-executive director recruitment across the region."
Ibrahim Al-Zu'bi
"Chairman of the SDG13 Global Council and Vice Chair of the UAE Council on Climate Change. Member of the World Economic Forum."
Roshanak Bassiri Gharb
"Advises PJSCs and regulated entities on corporate governance. Ranked Next Generation Partner by Legal 500."
Darren Yule
"Lead audit partner on 8 public listed companies. Extensive C-suite and board level experience on financial reporting."
Maria Gedeon
"Former CMO at Chalhoub Group and Majid Al Futtaim. External advisor at Bain and Company."
Jason Kothari
"Board director at Emaar India and Balaji Telefilms. Senior Advisor at SoftBank. Rare operator-to-board perspective."
Mahmoud Adham
"Built Munchbox from a one-person startup to a GCC-wide brand, exited to the region's largest food conglomerate. Led $300M+ in capital projects at P&G and Mars."
Joe Abi Akl
"Board Director and former Chief Corporate Development Officer at Majid Al Futtaim, with 20+ years advising conglomerates and sovereign wealth funds across MENAP."
Salmaan Khawaja
"Leads corporate finance transactions across acquisitions, valuations, fundraisings, IPOs and due diligence. Advises PE firms, sovereign wealth funds and corporates."
What happens after the programme
From Participant to Board Member
Hear from one of our alumni, Noora Ahmed, as she shares her experience of the Board Diploma Programme and how it led to her being approached to join an external board of directors while the programme was still running.
“I was invited to join a board of directors on the very first day of the programme, before it had even ended.”Noora Ahmed, Group Managing Director
"As a CEO I had a tunneled vision. Being in a board of experts teaches you to look at decisions from wider perspectives."
"Impressive, professional and well organised education with a high level of speakers. A strong foundation for any board member."
"Really privileged to be amongst a cohort of ambitious, experienced people here for all the right reasons."
Quick answers
How much does the Board Diploma cost?
The Board Diploma Programme is 29,900 AED per participant. This covers all three days of training, materials, the board simulation, meals at the JW Marriott Marina venue, and access to the Board Enhance alumni network.
What's included in the programme fee?
The fee covers three days of training, all course materials, the board simulation exercise, meals during programme hours at the JW Marriott Marina, and access to the Board Enhance alumni network. Accommodation and travel to Dubai are not included.
Do I need prior board experience to apply?
No. The programme is built for senior executives transitioning into their first board role as well as for current board members who want to deepen their effectiveness. Both first-time candidates and existing directors are typical in each cohort.
What credential do I receive?
A Board Diploma certificate from Board Enhance, which you can add to your board CV and LinkedIn profile. The diploma is recognised across the UAE and GCC by recruiters, executive search firms, and boards conducting NED searches.
For everything else, see our full FAQ → or contact us →