Stan Magidson appointed chair of global director network

Stan Magidson has been appointed chair of the Global Network of Director Institutes (GNDI), effective from December 12, 2014, as part of a formal rotation policy for GNDI’s chairmanship and secretariat.

Mr Magidson, whose appointment was unanimous, is also chief executive officer of the Institute of Corporate Directors in Canada. He replaces the inaugural GNDI chair and chief executive officer of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, John Colvin.

"It is a privilege to lead the GNDI as it moves into the next phase of its growth. It is our ambition to become an even more respected participant in international debates that impact both directors and the organisations they govern,” Mr Magidson said.

The Institute of Corporate Directors in Canada will also take over responsibility for the GNDI secretariat from the Australian Institute of Company Directors as part of the handover.

GNDI is an international network of 13 director institutes and was established in December 2012 to foster closer cooperation between its members, who are each recognised as the primary institute for directors and governance in their respective country.

It represents more than 100,000 directors from around the world, following the addition this year of new member institutes from Hong Kong, Singapore and Mauritius. Further members are expected to join soon.

"In today’s globalised marketplace, it is essential that directors work together to ensure the best policy and legislative outcomes for their respective organisations,” Mr Magidson said.

In its short life, GNDI has made important contributions to global discussions around boardroom diversity, audit quality and shareholder communications.

"GNDI’s success since its inception reflects the important role that directors play in the global economy. I look forward to watching it progress under both the ICD and Stan’s capable leadership,” Mr Colvin said.

Mr Magidson was formerly deputy chair of GNDI, a position that will now be held by Simon Walker of the Institute of Directors in the United Kingdom.

The following organisations are members of GNDI:

• Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD)
• Brazilian Institute of Corporate Governance (IBGC)
• European Confederation of Directors Associations (ecoDa)
• Hong Kong Institute of Directors (HKIoD)
• Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) in Canada
• Institute of Directors in New Zealand (IoDNZ)
• Institute of Directors in Southern Africa (IoDSA)
• Institute of Directors (IoD) in the United Kingdom
• Malaysian Alliance of Corporate Directors (MACD)
• Mauritius Institute of Directors (MIoD)
• National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) in the United States.
• Singapore Institute of Directors (SID)
• Thai Institute of Directors (TIoD)

www.gndi.org