Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1379774
10 INTERVIEW 3.6.2021 What were the main activities you engaged in and what has been the overall reception to this initiative in its first year? Under NOUV's corporate umbrella, Getgovernanz's 2020 strategy was to focus on the development of training programmes that reflect our strengths and that of our partners, the Interna- tional Due Diligence Organisation, and the American Anti-Corruption Insti- tute. Meanwhile, we also managed to successfully conclude an agreement with the Malta Chamber through which Getgovernanz provided a series of four open webinars to its members and the general public on anti-corruption and related subjects. We are now in the pro- cess of concluding other similar agree- ments with professional bodies and rep- resentative associations to support their training requirements. Currently, we are piloting one of our core training programmes "Due Dili- gence Master Class" sponsored by the Ministry for Finance's National Coordi- nating Committee on Combating Money Laundering and Funding of Terrorism and we are conducting advi- sory services including local and Inter- national Corporate Governance Assess- ments. How many courses and advisory services have you offered to date? In addition to the in-house training, we hold within the Group, we have pro- vided training to external participants on due diligence including the United Nations, banks, and regulatory bodies and investigation agencies and depart- ments. Our Governance assessments are extensive in scope, and we are final- ising an assessment for an international oil and gas company. How many participants have you addressed and who is typically enrolling for your courses? Our training and advisory services are attracting mid-level and senior person- nel who have responsibilities in regu- latory and investigative organisations. To date, 33 persons have attended and graduated with our course certifica- tions. Webinars have to date attracted over 200 businesspersons and profes- sionals. e reception to the topics we addressed has been extremely positive even though courses were being deliv- ered online due the pandemic's restric- tions. Participants however are looking forward to returning to 'in classroom ' training which offers opportunities for more interaction between participants and lecturers who exchange experienc- es and the chance for networking. Have the outcomes to date met your expectations you had set when you established Getgovernanz? I believe that we should be in a bet- ter position to answer that question once 2021 passes, as our full menu of courses and advisory services will be available in the second half of 2021. Having said that, I also think that corporations and the public sector will be required to assess where they need more training in light of ongo- ing changes and new legislation in particular the impact on regulatory and oversight services that emerged because of the Moneyval and Venice Commission reports' recommenda- tions. Getgovernanz was set up in collaboration with the American Anti-Corruption Institute (AACI) together with the International Due Diligence Organisation (IDDO). To what extent has their involvement been instrumental to your Unlike other local training compa- nies, our partners have an internation- al 'footprint'. Many of their training programmes, together with ours, have been delivered in other countries - of- ten where there are serious large-scale "For a financial services company like NOUV, the notion of governance is a paramount value which we not only uphold, but also want to instil amongst the clients we service and work with." ANDREW NAUDI talks to BusinessToday about why, a year ago, NOUV established Getgovernanz as part of its ESG efforts and as a tangible contribution towards promoting the importance of good governance Getgovernanz... one year To date, not one person or group, past or present from amongst our politicians has pleaded guilty. I believe it will take several years for us to get a clean approval. Personally, I am not very optimistic that there will be change in the next five years