Kumul Consolidated Holdings successfully conducted its fourth Director Development Training recently, providing an opportunity for 17 middle management personnel from State-Owned Enterprises to learn the skills of strengthening governance and prepare for potential future board roles.
The program ran for three days at in Port Moresby, with presentation of certificates to participants at the end of the program.
KCH Managing Director Professor David Kavanamur presented certificates to participants and stated participants formed part of a growing pool of prospective directors whose skills, experience and merit could contribute to SOE boards.
“You are here because your organisations see in you the judgement, integrity and potential to take on greater responsibility,” he said.
The training was delivered by the PNG Institute of Directors, with support from the Asian Development Bank’s Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative (ADB-PSDI), the program brought together 10 men and seven women nominated by PNG Ports, PNG DataCo, MVIL, Air Niugini, Kumul Agriculture and PNG Power.
Established in 2021, the program was designed to strengthen governance capability and increase women’s representation on SOE boards. The first three cohorts trained 65 women, several of whom have since served as directors.
This year’s fourth cohort included male participants for the first time, extending the initiative to develop governance capability among SOE personnel.
The program covered directors’ duties, the respective roles of boards and management, strategy, financial oversight, risk, accountability and effective boardroom conduct. A case study on the final day enabled participants to apply their learning to the complex governance environment in which KCH and SOEs operate.
Professor Kavanamur encouraged participants to apply their learning immediately in their current roles.
“Use these skills now, instead of waiting for a Board appointment. In your current roles, you can ask better questions, use resources responsibly, raise concerns early and make decisions with integrity,” he said.
“You can also share what you learn here with your colleagues. That is how this program begins to strengthen governance across our SOEs.”
He thanked PNGID and ADB-PSDI for their continued support and acknowledged the participating SOEs for enabling their staff to attend.
