Chair's mentoring program open

Applications are now open for the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ (AICD) Chair’s Mentoring Program, which has been designed to introduce highly experienced and qualified emerging female directors to chairs and experienced directors from S&P/ASX 200 organisations.

The program aims to help emerging female directors to:

• Gain knowledge and skills that will assist them with director appointments, as well as developing their careers generally.
• Increase their practical knowledge of governance issues in listed companies and how listed company boards operate.
• Gain valuable insight, advice and guidance on the process of selecting and appointing new directors.
• Develop connections with influential business leaders.

The program is also designed to enhance the connections of chairs and experienced directors of ASX 200 listed companies with a pool of experienced and skilled women who may be suitable for director roles.

The AICD will be responsible for managing the application process and the successful applicants will be selected by an advisory selection committee comprising representatives from AICD, senior ASX 200 directors and other key stakeholders.

Applications open Wednesday 27 May and close on Monday 15 June. All successful applicants will be notified during the first week of August with the first launch occurring on 12 August.

Elizabeth Proust AO FAICD, chair of Bank of Melbourne said: "I have been involved in the last two of the AICD's mentoring programs. For me, it's both an opportunity to help other women understand the role of a director, and to learn from the next generation of female directors. I know that I've received at least as much out of the program as have hopefully the women I have mentored."

David Crawford AO FAICD, chair of Lend Lease and a returning mentor on the 2015 program further commented: “Participating in the mentoring program has enabled me to meet a large number of extremely well-qualified females who have both broadened my knowledge base and demonstrated the significant contribution that they can make to Australian companies. As such I strongly support the institute's drive to ensure 30 per cent minimum female board representation by 2018 for ASX 200 companies and for all companies in the future.”