Venue | EIMF Premises, 25 Megaron Street, Nicosia

Date & Time | 06 April 2023 | 16:30-18:00

Speakers: Petros Florides & Dr. Adonis Pegasiou | Moderator: Marios Clerides

As part of the Open Seminar Series for the Spring Semester 2023, the Centre of Good Governance invites you to the second seminar of the Spring Semester 2023. The seminar will be focusing on policy options and actions available for bettering the governance of state-owned enterprises.  The aim is to initiate a discussion among the participants that in a constructive manner will promote the ongoing debate on how these organisations can be better governed in a way that will be beneficial to their operations, profitability and sustainability. The topic is considered to be of interest to state and government officials, directors and management staff of SOEs, political party officials, NGOs, academics and journalists and members of the wider public.

Video Recording

Venue | EIMF Premises, 25 Megaron Street, Nicosia

Date & Time | 03 May 2023 | 16:45-18:30

Opening Remarks: Ms Irene Piki | Speakers: Professor Dimitris Papadimitriou & Dr. Adonis Pegasiou | Moderator: Professor Haridimos Tsoukas

In the forthcoming seminar organised by the Centre for Good Governance our two speakers will be reviewing the cases of Greece and Cyprus, focusing on how the core executive is organised and the head of the executive (President or Prime Minister) establishes control and coordination across the government. Through a comparative perspective the aim will be to offer recommendations that will enhance the governance structures and allow for a better, more productive and efficient management of government. Professor Papadimitriou is the author of numerous publications on the matter, including the book ‘Prime Ministers in Greece: The Paradox of Power’ co-authored with Professor Kevin Featherstone (2015, Oxford University Press). Dr Adonis Pegasiou is part of the Research Project ‘Coordination at the Top: The Secretariats-General of the Executive in Europe’ by the European Group of Public Administration and has studied the case of Cyprus.

Video Recording

Venue | EIMF Premises, 25 Megaron Street, Nicosia

Date & Time | 14 June 2023 | 16:45-18:30

Opening Remarks: Ms Flora Cresswell | Speakers: MP Irene Charalambides, Mr Marios Kiriaku, Mr Antonis Baltas | Presenter and Moderator: Dr Anna Damaskou 

Wrongdoing in both the public and the private sectors is often committed in secret for a long time, during which, however, non-involved persons may become aware of such malpractices.  It thus becomes crucial for those who know of such actions to be encouraged to report unlawful/unethical behaviour while at the same time it is vital for those who choose do so (whistle-blowers) to be afforded adequate and effective protection.  In this context, the enactment and implementation of the recent Cypriot whistleblowing law raise significant challenges, which need to be addressed by the competent national authorities and corporate professionals in the public and the private sectors , respectively.

In the fourth seminar of the Centre of Good Governance these issues are addressed through a multidimensional perspective covering both legal and practical approaches through interventions of topic experts. The event will be moderated by Dr Anna Damaskou (CFE, CAMS, CGSS, CIPP/E, CIPM – EIMF Adjunct Faculty) and the following experts will be speaking: MP Irene Charalambides (OSCE PA Vice President and Special Representative on Fighting Corruption), Mr Marios Kiriaku (Chief Compliance Officer) and Mr Antonis Baltas (Criminal Lawyer & Adjunct Faculty - University of Nicosia). Introductory Remarks will be made by Ms Flora Cresswell of Transparency International (Regional Coordinator Western Europe)

Video Recording Part 1 | Part 2

Venue | EIMF Premises, 25 Megaron Street, Nicosia

Date & Time | 11 October 2023 | 16:45-18:30

Speakers: Professor Helen Louri-Dendrinou and Mr Marinos Lambrianides | Moderator: Professor Stavros Zenios

Though much has been written on how corporations and financial institutions should be best governed, the governance structure of financial regulators is a rather under-researched area. The aim of the seminar is to allow for experts in the field to share their expertise and experience and allow for a better understanding of how financial regulators are governed within the European framework, discuss best practices but also shed light on how the governance structure of the local financial regulator stands now.

Our two guest speakers will be Professor Eleni-Louri Dendrinou and Mr Marinos Lambianides. Professor Louri-Dendrinou is a member of the Appeal Panel of the Single Resolution Board of European banks in Brussels. From June 2008 to June 2014, she was Deputy Governor of the Bank of Greece. She is Professor of Economics at the Department of Economics of the Athens University of Economics and Business since 2001. Mr Marinos Lambrianides is the Director of Supervision at the Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC).

Professor Stavros Zenios will be moderating the seminar. Professor Zenios is Professor of Finance at the University of Cyprus (UCY) and Senior Fellow at the Wharton School, USA. He served two terms as Rector of UCY (2002-2010) while he also served on the Board of the CBC as a Non-Executive Director.

Video Recording

Venue | EIMF Premises, 25 Megaron Street, Nicosia

Date & Time | 22 April 2024 | 16:30-18:15

Discussants: Takis Klerides and Tasos Anastasiou | Moderator: Adonis Pegasiou

In response to the demand for engaging seminars, EIMF’s Centre for Good Governance proudly launches 'The Directors Series', a groundbreaking initiative tailored for Directors in Cyprus.

This first event, an armchair discussing focusing on Enhancing Board Performance and Effectiveness, is scheduled for 22 April 2024. Adonis Pegasiou (EIMF Academic Director and Head of Centre for Good Governance) will be moderating the discussion, alongside distinguished discussants Takis Klerides (Former Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Council of Economy and Competitiveness) and Tasos Anastasiou (Strategic Advisor, Chairman of the Council of the University of Cyprus).

What sets this series apart is its unique format. Adonis Pegasiou will steer discussions, with esteemed Directors, sharing insights and best practices. Participants will also engage through online multiple-choice questions, enriching the dialogue with their perspectives.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights, network with industry professionals, and elevate your directorial skills.

Highlights Available

Venue | EIMF Premises, 25 Megaron Street, Nicosia

Date & Time | 27 May 2024 | 16:30-18:15

Moderator / Discussant: Petros Florides | Discussants: Eleni Neocleous and Demetris Demetriou

Following the success of our first event on ‘Enhancing Board Performance and Effectiveness’ and the positive feedback received by all participants, the Centre for Good Governance is delighted to announce the second event of ‘The Directors Series’ titled ‘Risk Governance’.

What sets 'The Directors Series' apart is its innovative structure and interactive approach. In this second event, Petros Florides will be guiding the discussion, with our esteemed discussants sharing insights and best practices on how risk governance applies the principles of good governance to the identification, assessment, management and communication of risks, thus helping businesses establish a foundation for proactive and effective risk management.

Moreover, all participants will have the opportunity to actively participate through online multiple-choice questions and interventions, thereby enriching the dialogue with their unique perspectives and personal experience.

Highlights Available

Venue | EIMF Premises, 25 Megaron Street, Nicosia

Date & Time | 19 June 2024 | 16:30-18:00

Moderator:

Adonis Pegasiou – EIMF Academic Director

Discussants:

Stavros Stavrou – Chairperson, Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI)

George Hadjikallis – Senior Officer, Cyprus Employers & Industrialists Federation (OEB)

Loizos Hadjicostis – Honorary Chair, Cyprus Union of Bank Employees (ETYK)

Panikos Argyridis – Cyprus Workers' Confederation (SEK)

Nikos Gregoriou – General Secretary, SIDIKEK PEO (Pancyprian Federation of Labour (PEO))

In its upcoming event, the Centre for Good Governance (CGG) aims to explore the application of Board-Level Representation of Employees (BLER) in Cyprus.

In an era where shareholder supremacy is increasingly challenged by stakeholder-centric approaches, the role of employees—key stakeholders in any corporation—has been reevaluated. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria now address issues such as employee relations, compensation, and engagement, recognising the value of human capital, and thus bringing a new perspective on BLER.

Given that the EU has not decided to apply a common framework on BLER, different approaches prevail among European countries. Cyprus is one of those countries that has no legal or other framework that obliges corporations to shape their boards accordingly.

The seminar attempts to shed light on the practices adopted by local corporations and, through a constructive exchange of ideas, offer some valuable conclusions as to what may be considered best-practice. The event will be moderated by EIMF Academic Director Adonis Pegasiou and officials from both Employers and Employees associations will be presenting their views.

Venue | EIMF Premises, 25 Megaron Street, Nicosia

Date and Time | 03 July 2024 | 16:30-18:15

Discussants | Demetra Kalogerou | Dimitris Kleftakis

Moderator/Discussant | Elena Leonidou

A board evaluation measures the accountability, transparency, and effectiveness of board members. It holds the board members accountable to stakeholders and shareholders, identifies challenges, and discovers what works well for the board and the company. How this exercise should be better conducted and in what way corporations should make use of the results to improve their governance, are some of the issues to be discussed at the event.

Targeted for Directors and relevant corporate officers, the third event of the Directors Series entitled ‘Board Effectiveness’ seeks to touch on all aspects of this challenging process, in an armchair discussion where participants will have the opportunity to actively engage through online multiple-choice questions and interventions, thereby enriching the dialogue with their personal experience.

Our distinguished discussants possess international experience and expertise, covering different perspectives such as those of advisory firms who carry out board evaluations, the regulator who oversees board performance in regulated entities and directors who undergo this process. Their insights and knowledge on the matter will be of great value to those interested in the topic.

Highlights Available 

Venue | EIMF Premises, 25 Megaron Street, Nicosia

Date and Time | 24 September 2024 | 16:30-18:00

Moderator/Discussant | Professor Ioannis Ioannou – London Business School | Adonis Pegasiou – EIMF Academic Director

The success the ‘Directors Series’ introduced in the previous academic year by the Centre for Good Governance (CGG) has verified the need for such interactive events that engage participants in fruitful discussions which lead to key takeaways.

In the first event for the coming academic year set to take place on 24 September 2024, we shall be reviewing whether ESG (Environmental Social Governance) criteria can stand the test of time and CGG is delighted that Professor Ioannis Ioannou (London Business School), a leading global scholar on the topic, will be the discussant of the event.

ESG criteria have gained prominence over the last years in the corporate world and the applicable regulatory frameworks, though not in a uniform manner. There are still doubts by some as to how and why companies should strategically adopt environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into their processes and structures. Additionally, concerns remain as to how the investment community perceives, evaluates, and reacts to such corporate attempts to integrate ESG. These are some of the topics to be reviewed in the upcoming event as part of an overall attempt to assess the integration of ESG criteria in companies and investment firms and their long-term effect on corporate sustainability.

All events under the ‘Directors Series’, provide participants with the opportunity to actively take part through online multiple-choice questions and interventions, thereby enriching the dialogue with their unique perspectives and personal experience.

Video Recording

Venue | EIMF Premises, 25 Megaron Street, Nicosia

Date and Time | 23 October 2024 | 16:00-18:00

Moderator: Nicky Xenofontos | Panellists: Stella Kammitsi & Stella Strati

An ideal induction for new trustees or a refresher for existing trustees. This first session will introduce you to the role of trustees, importance of solid governance and offer practical advice on how to secure the right role. The panellists will cover the legal and financial responsibilities of trustees, how to mitigate and manage day to day risks, making informed decisions and how to achieve proper governance during trust administration and management considering the nature of the fiduciary role of trustees, the standard of diligence, experience, knowledge professional trustees are expected to possess.

From this session, you will learn what is expected from professional trustees, understanding and strengthening governance, what you should be doing, or if you have been a trustee for some time and want a refresh and update, then this session is ideal. You will go away equipped with the tools, knowledge and confidence needed to make an effective contribution to your role both from the legal and formal governance responsibilities and the inter-personal aspects of managing trusts, whether you are an individual trustee or form part of the board of directors of a corporate trustee, dealing with setbacks, tricky situations and how to manage risk.

Venue | EIMF Premises, 25 Megaron Street, Nicosia

Date and Time | 12 December 2024 | 16:00-17:30

Panellists: Cleopatra Kitti, Anna Koukkides-Prokopiou, Kyriakos Kokkinos ​

Building on the success of the previous events of the ‘Directors Series’ and the positive feedback received by those attending, EIMF’s Centre for Good Governance is presenting its next event titled ‘Sitting at the table: Why gender diversity matters in boardrooms’, set to take place on Thursday 12 December 2024.

Diverse boards are stronger boards. Women’s participation in boardrooms brings a wealth of perspectives, enhances decision-making, and fosters innovation—factors crucial for navigating today’s complex business environment. Research consistently shows that gender-diverse boards outperform their less-diverse counterparts in financial performance and risk management, while also contributing to stronger organisational culture and reputation. Furthermore, the European regulatory framework has expanded to cover this issue in particular, creating additional compliance challenges for corporate entities. Join us for an engaging discussion on how and why gender diversity is not just a moral imperative but a strategic advantage for modern governance.

As in all evens of the ‘Directors Series’, participants will have the opportunity to actively participate through online multiple-choice questions and interventions, thereby enriching the dialogue with their unique perspectives and personal experience.

Video Recording