‘Become champions of change’

Professor Densil Williams has urged corporate governance professionals to become the champions of change in their respective organisations as a necessary condition for improving organisational productivity. According to Williams, change in processes, culture, systems, and governance is inevitable for organisational growth and renewal.

Addressing the 64th anniversary dinner of the Association of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Jamaica at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston on June 15, Prof Williams urged members to be prepared to take the leap into the unknown, not to be discouraged by failure, and above all, to live the change by showing that things are being done and in a tangible way.

Fresh from the recent publication of his latest book, International Business Blunders: Lessons for Future Managers, Williams who is Professor of International business and pro-vice chancellor industry/academic partnerships at The University of the West Indies, highlighted the important role played by corporate secretaries in ensuring that heads of companies and other executives abide by the laws that govern company operations. He acknowledged that the nature and texture of the work carried out by these officers who are now known as corporate governance professionals is often not understood and is undervalued both within organisations and by the public at large.

The event, which was attended by executives of the UK Governance Institute, including its outgoing Chief Executive, Simon Osborne, and incoming President, John Heaton, was highlighted by the presentation of the institute’s Presidential Medal to the president of the local chapter, Elizabeth Henry-Pottinger.