The newly established Cyprus Institute of Directors & Corporate Governance (CyIoDCG) https://cyiodcg.org/ officially launches its operations with a high-level event on Monday, 9 March 2026, at 15:00 at the Bank of Cyprus Corporate Headquarters in Nicosia, with keynote speaker Professor Ludo Van der Heyden, https://www.ludovanderheyden.com/ INSEAD, Chaired Professor Emeritus in Corporate Governance & IMD Distinguished Scholar.
Professor Ludo Van der Heyden’s speech will tackle the topic of “Why Governance matters at all times. The role of Directors”, putting forward the evolving role of Board’s and Directors in today’s complex and rapidly changing governance environment and sharing his experiences from across the globe, including US, Ukraine, Luxemburg, Switzerland and other EU countries. More details on Prof Ludo’s speech are provided further in this press release.
The launch marks the inauguration of the CyIoDCG as the newly established institution aiming at ‘Promoting Excellence in Directorship, Championing Good Governance’. CyloDCG’s vision is to be acknowledged as the authoritative professional institution championing the highest standards of corporate governance in Cyprus and connecting our Country to like-minded institutions across Europe. CyIoDCG aims to be the leading voice for fit-for-purpose Boards, advocating the values of:
- Integrity and ethical leadership
- Accountability and stewardship
- Independence of judgement
- Professional excellence and continuous learning
- Transparency, trust and ethos
During the launching event, CyIoDCG will share with its vision, mission and core values, as well as its flagship Directors’ Certification & Development Program, designed to equip current and future directors with the skills, judgement and ethical grounding required to lead effectively in the new era of complex and multiple economic and societal challenges.
CyIoDCG is accepting Membership applications from qualified applicants. Qualified Membership applicants include experienced Directors (at Board or Company level), senior C-Level Executives in publicly listed companies, regulated institutions, private companies and or state-owned enterprises and government institutions. The core mission of CyIoDCG is to promote Excellence in Directorship, Championing Good Governance. Applicants can apply at www.cyiodcg.org
The Founding Board Composition
- Kyriacos Kokkinos, Chairman
- Demetra Kalogerou, Vice-Chairwoman
- Marios Siathas , Secretary
- Rea Georgiou, Treasurer
- Achilleas Emilianides, Member
- Evgenios Evgeniou, Member
- Maria Tsiakka, Member
- Petros Florides, Member
- Cleopatra Kitti, Member
- Constantinos Papanastasiou, Member
- Christos Petrides, Member
- Philokypros Rousounides, Member
- Evdokimos Xenophontos, Honorary Chairman
Keynote Speech
Why Governance Matters Always:
The critical role of Directors
by
Ludo Van der Heyden (Belgium)
INSEAD Chaired Professor Emeritus in Corporate Governance
https://www.ludovanderheyden.com/
Van der Heyden will elaborate on the significance of Governance - in good as well as bad times – emphasizing the importance of governance culture, values and ethics, and underlining the fundamental distinction between governance and execution. He will draw upon and share his personal learnings and experience from across the globe (including US, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Ukraine), with emphasis on Board’s imperatives in today’s challenging times for the “call for integrity”, the vital necessity of independence (and what it actually means) and the required courage to take a position on the challenging dilemmas at times of unseen and rapid geopolitical change.
His key highlights:
“Corporate governance is the architecture of corporate freedom the sustainable generation of values for stakeholders (who all benefit from the corporation) through long-term value creation and cash flow governance. Good governance helps firms survive and sustain in changing and challenging competitive environments, it supports the translation of ambition into strategy, oversee how risk is embraced without being reckless, and how power is exercised within the law and with legitimacy. In today’s environment of constant change and disruption, governance is no longer a defensive mechanism, it is a source of strategic clarity, performance, and organisational resilience.
Directors, as custodians of this architecture, play a vital role in bringing independent thought, long-term perspective, and value-driven judgement to the boardroom. By challenging assumptions, shaping culture, and aligning purpose with performance, effective directors ensure that companies remain trusted, adaptive, and relevant over time. They also organize the governance which is a collaborative practice, involving the corporation’s stakeholders, principally owners, executives, and - depending on sectors - regulators.
Governance, practiced consistently, enables organisations not only to navigate change, but to lead it while creating durable, long-term value, without falling prey to harmful dictators who wish to subordinate the corporation to their personal agendas and whims.”
For more information and registration to the event click here.
Organizer: Cyprus Institute of Directors & Corporate Governance (CyIoDCG)
Sponsors: Bank of Cyprus Holdings Plc, ECOMMBX LTD and Petrolina Holdings Public Ltd
