Independent Director Certification Programme

    Is a comprehensive and immersive learning programme that will help you become an effective independent director.
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    Virtual classroom


    Delivery format

    10 Weeks



    Course duration 

    45+ hours



    Learning Hours

    30 May 2025



    Next tentative batch

    For more details on the programme, reach out to

    Programme overview

    Companies Act 2013 (Section 149) has mandated listed public companies to have 1/3rd of total directors as independent directors. Independent directors are essential to bring transparency and objectivity in decision making. They provide an unbiased perspective and help in maintaining the balance of power between the management and shareholders. Companies are looking for visionary leaders to fill the independent director positions for their boards.

    Independent Director Certification Programme – An overview

    Get an insight into corporate governance and board directorship with Ritesh Tiwari, Partner, Lead - Board Leadership Center, KPMG in India.

     

    The most sought-after profiles have:

    • Significant leadership experience
    • Strong career trajectory
    • Functional / industry expertise
    • Executive presence and positive influence
    • Strategic thinker
    • Established global network
    • Continuous learner
    Modern South Asian Business Office Meeting Confident Indian Manager Uses Interactive Display Makes Report to a Group of Corporate Partners Shows Statistics Growth and Financial Analyti : Generative AI

    This is a compelling opportunity for experienced professionals to get an independent director position on boards of listed companies.

    KPMG in India has designed the Independent Director Certification Programme that will help participants gain knowledge on all aspects of board membership and prepare them to effectively carry out their roles and responsibilities as independent director.


    Who is this programme for?

    This programme is best suited for senior professionals with 20+ years of leadership experience.

     

      • Senior leaders:


        A senior professional with significant leadership experience in public, private, government, and nonprofit organisations.
         

      • Consultants:

        An independent consultant/advisor to the board.

      • Retired leaders: A retiring or retired leader exploring a position on company boards.

         A retiring or retired leader exploring a position on company boards. 

      • Existing independent director:

        An existing independent director who wants to upgrade their knowledge and skills.
         

      • Family business:

        A senior professional and controlling shareholder of a family business.

         


      Snapshot of participant profiles from our first cohort:

      Total participants

      • 170

        c

        Cumulative years of experience

        • 4424+

          c

          Average years. of experience

          • 25+
          c

          Programme highlights

          • Knowledge on all key aspects of board membership
          • Delivered by KPMG in India partners, directors, and industry experts
          • Experiential learning through case studies and simulations
          • Networking event with industry leaders
          • Certificate from KPMG in India
          • Interactions with experienced board members and executive search partners
          • Weekend classes covered over 10-weeks
          • 45+ hours of learning
          • Live virtual instructor led sessions

          Note: Participants must register and undergo the mandatory assessment by IICA. This programme will not prepare participants for these assessment.

           

          Additional benefits

          Lifetime membership to KPMG in India’s Board Leadership Centre (BLC) – a premier forum for board members comprising 2000+ board members.

          BLC

          Masterclasses by leading executive search firms on hiring trends, job opportunities, scope and structure of typical mandates, and much more

          job

          Note: Executive search partners may change without prior notice.

          Key programme takeaways

          • Gain practical insights on all aspects of board membership





             
            • Expand your network with experienced board members and industry executives



               

            • Learn how to effectively respond to challenging board-room situations





               

            • Understand what it takes to position yourself as an Independent Director



               

            • Develop a deeper perspective on key issues confronting boards today such as mergers and acquisitions, ESG, digital, and cybersecurity


               



            Course outline

            Module 1: Introduction to being a board member

            Module 4: Professional discipline, compliance, and ethics

            Module 7: Select regulatory focus areas

            Module 10: Board effectiveness and evaluation

            Module 13: Mergers and acquisitions

            Module 16: Digital strategy and transformation using emerging technologies

            Module 2: Governance frameworks and Independent Director’s position

            Module 5: Interpreting financial statements

            Module 8: Stakeholder management and investor relations

            Module 11: Anti-bribery, fraud, and corruption

            Module 14: ESG

            Module 17: Getting your first directorship

            Module 3: Finding your place in a board committee

            Module 6: Basics of risk and governance

            Module 9: Human capital and diversity

            Module 12: Family business governance

            Module 15: Cyber

            Module 18: Continuous professional development

            Meet the faculty

            • Ritesh Tiwari

              Partner and Lead

              Board Leadership Center

            • Karan Marwah

              Partner

              KPMG in India

            • Suveer Khanna

              Partner

            • Meenakshi Sharma

              Technical Director

            • Namrata Rana

              Partner

            • Shivananda Shetty

              Partner

            • Nitin Shah

              Partner

            • Subhro Bhattacharya

              Associate Partner

            • Udit Sethi

              Partner

            • Sandeep Chatterjee

              Associate Partner

            • Venkatesh Sethuraman

            Expertise: Corporate governance and board matters

            Expertise: Capital Markets

            Expertise: Forensics, Risk Advisory, Finance

            Expertise: Investor Relations, Governance

            Expertise: ESG

            Expertise: ESG

            Expertise: Cyber Security

            Expertise: Finance & Accounting

            Expertise: Digital

            Expertise: People and change

            Industry Leader

            Certificate from KPMG in India

            Follow our easy application process to enroll for the Independent Director Certification Programme.

             

              • Step 1:

                Submit your resume

              • Step 2:

                Profile evaluation by KPMG in India’s panel. If shortlisted, you will be notified and called for a virtual interview

              • Step 3:

                Submit your Statement of purpose (SOP) post the interview

              • Step 4:

                If selected, you will be offered a seat in the programme

              Programme Success Stories

              1 / 7
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              “It is a privilege to learn from the vast and rich experience of Ritesh - he makes the session so engaging, he is extremely kind in giving his valuable time and doing an additional session just to take care of all the questions being asked by the cohort. He ensures nothing is felt rushed up. The content, the flow, the perspectives shared all through, are extremely rich and showcase excellence.

              The content as well as the knowledge of both the facilitators was par excellence. Really liking the pre-reads, case studies and post reads on the LMS. Also would like to call out that the answering of all queries on the chat by Ritesh was very insightful and made the session super-engaging, Thank you to the entire KPMG team. ”

              2 / 7
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              “ One of the best session I have gone through. Although I couldn't join in online session but going through recording felt that this was so enriching and presented in such an elaborate manner. The questions response and new insights gave a whole new perspective to me. ”

              3 / 7
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              “Good session, with good case studies and a good teacher ”

              4 / 7
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              “ Thanks to the entire KPMG ID leadership,faculties and learning team for hosting such an amazing network event. It was such an incredible experience to meet in-person with those who were our virtual weekend extended family :). Cherishing every session with the KPMG team. ”

              5 / 7
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              “Amazing networking event hosted by the entire KPMG ID leadership Vijay Gogoi, Ritesh Tiwari, Varun Kapoor and the entire team…It is indeed an incredible experience to meet in-person with everyone, spend quality time, know each other a little better & great speaker sessions. ”

              6 / 7
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              “An incredible experience, with an insightful panel discussion and boardroom simulation exercise. Great conversations and perspectives; thank you Vijay Gogoi and the entire KPMG team! ”

              7 / 7
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              “Thanks to entire KPMG IDCP Team for hosting the networking event. It has been amazing learning experience which was blended with highly informative sessions and wonderful opportunity to meet the whole Team in person, to meet and know from the eminent guest speakers and our cohort batchmates. ”


              Additional details

              Course Fee

              • INR2.75 lakh per participant plus GST
              • Non-refundable
              • EMI options available
              • Financing partner: Eduvanz

               

              Course Schedule

              • Next tentative batch commences on 30 May 2025
              • For more details or to register for the programme, reach out Konika

              The KPMG Learning Academy

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