The Gap Most Leaders Never See Coming

Stepping into the boardroom requires more than seniority — it demands a fundamental shift in mindset, language, and judgement.

Executive Mindset

Management Focus

  • Execution & Operations
  • Meeting KPIs & Targets
  • Managing Teams
  • Short-term Performance

Board Mindset

Governance Focus

  • Oversight & Strategy
  • Fiduciary Duty & Stewardship
  • Independent Judgement
  • Long-term Value Creation

Who Should Apply

Built for Leaders Ready for
Their Next Chapter

Designed for high-potential leaders transitioning from operational excellence to strategic governance.

Seniority Level

C-suite or C-1 level executives holding significant leadership responsibilities within their organisations.

Target Profile

CEO, COO, CFO, MD, HODs

Professional Experience

A minimum of 15–20 years of professional experience with a track record of leadership and integrity.

Requirement

15+ Years Proven Track Record

Governance Exposure

Sound financial literacy and prior exposure to governance environments or board interactions.

Key Skills

Financial Acumen & Strategy

 

About ADIP®

A Deliberate Journey to the Boardroom

The Aspiring Directors Immersion Programme® (ADIP®) is a premier development pathway designed specifically for high-potential C-suite executives transitioning into directorship roles.

A structured, end-to-end development journey backed by

Duration

6 Months

ADIP Programme Brochure

Competency Journey

5 Stages

ADIP Programme Brochure

Upon Completion

Graduate Director Title

ADIP Programme Brochure

Core Modules

Deep Dive: 8 Key Competency Areas

A structured breakdown of the essential modules that build your boardroom readiness.

Board Directorship & Governance

Master fiduciary duties, legal responsibilities, and the fundamental structures of effective corporate governance.

Financial Acumen for Directors

Interpret complex financial statements, oversee audit functions, and assess fiscal health from a strategic lens.

Strategy & Value Creation

Evaluate long-term strategies, challenge assumptions, and ensure sustainable value generation for stakeholders.

Risk Management & Controls

Identify emerging risks, oversee internal control frameworks, and establish robust risk appetite statements.

ESG & Sustainability

Integrate environmental, social, and governance factors into core strategy for resilient, future-proof operations.

Digital & Cyber Governance

Navigate digital transformation, oversee cybersecurity postures, and leverage technology for competitive advantage.

Boardroom Dynamics

Navigate interpersonal complexities, manage conflict, and influence outcomes with emotional intelligence.

Crisis Management

Lead through uncertainty, manage stakeholder communications, and maintain stability during critical events.

 

Curriculum

What You'll Master in 6 Months

  • Board & Directorship Foundation & Governance

  • Boardroom Dynamics & Effectiveness

  • Boardroom Simulation & Case Clinics

  • Financial Acumen for Directors

  • Ethical Leadership & Decision Making

  • Risk Management & Internal Controls

  • Strategy & Long-Term Value Creation

  • Sustainability, ESG & Stakeholder Governance

  • Digital, Cyber & Technology Governance

  • Crisis Management & Board Decision-Making

  • People, Talent & Succession Oversight

  • Board Interview Preparedness & Profiling

 

How We Develop You

Learning That Goes Beyond the Classroom

A multi-modal approach combining theory, practice, and real-world exposure to build board-ready confidence.

01

Foundation
Learn & Absorb
01

Foundation

Learn & Absorb

Hybrid Delivery

Flexible blend of immersive in-person sessions and virtual modules for focused technical learning.

Case Clinics

Deep-dive into complex governance dilemmas with expert guidance on real cases.

02

Practice
Apply & Experience
02

Practice

Apply & Experience

Boardroom Simulations

Navigate high-stakes, real-world scenarios in a risk-free environment to test your judgement.

Group Mentorship

Gain personalised insights from seasoned board practitioners.

03

Mastery
Validate & Launch
03

Mastery

Validate & Launch

Professional Assessment

Structured evaluation of your board readiness with objective feedback on strengths and gaps.

Graduation & Recognition

Earn the prestigious ICDM Graduate Director title, signalling your readiness to the market.

Programme Schedule

Cohort 8: August 2026 – February 2027

In-Person Virtual
Aug 04
Board Directorship Foundation & Governance
In-Person 9am – 5pm
Aug 19
Ethical Leadership
In-Person 9am – 1pm
Sep 08
Financial Acumen for Directors
In-Person 9am – 5pm
Sep 22
Crisis Management + Talent Oversight
In-Person 9am – 1pm
Oct 06
Digital/Cyber Governance + Risk Management
In-Person 9am – 5pm
Oct 20
ESG + Strategy & Long-Term Value Creation
Virtual 9am – 1pm
Nov 03
Boardroom Dynamics & Simulation
In-Person 9am – 5pm
Nov 17
Professional Presence & Profiling
Virtual 9am – 11am
Dec 08
Board Interview Preparedness
In-Person 9am – 11am
Feb 23
ADIP® Graduation Ceremony
In-Person 9am – 1pm

Schedules are subject to change. Mentoring sessions will be scheduled between programme modules. The Professional Screening & Assessment will be conducted upon completion of all modules, prior to graduation.

Voices of ADIP Graduates

Success stories from leaders who transformed their boardroom impact.

Graduate Voices

A transformative experience that allowed me to pause, reflect, and refine my board value proposition with greater clarity and purpose. The programme stood out for its practical, relevant content, top-tiered facilitators, and targeted leadership coaching sessions — all of which deepened my readiness to serve at board level.

JL

Jayce Loh

CEO & Managing Director

CGS Malaysia Asset Management

The mentoring helped me reframe the role of talent and culture in strategic board decisions. I gained a holistic understanding of boardroom dynamics.

MR

Muhammad Rawi Abdullah

Country Head, Human Resources

Standard Chartered Bank

I found ADIP® incredibly valuable in bridging my operational and innovation expertise with the strategic lens expected at board level. The cross-industry peer discussions and board simulations were especially impactful, enabling me to communicate technology risks and opportunities more effectively to non-technical board members.

HW

Hew Wee Choong

Regional Director and Head of ASEAN Team

Cyclone Robotics

The programme was instrumental in equipping me with the governance skills required to serve on key committees, including the Risk Committee, Audit and Governance Committee and the Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC).

FM

Dr Faisal Mustaffa

Independent Non-Executive Director

Koperasi Permodalan FELDA Malaysia Berhad and various boards

Why ADIP®

Six Reasons ADIP® Stands Apart

Institutional Credibility

Established by Bursa Malaysia, ensuring unmatched industry recognition.

Formal Credential

Graduates earn the prestigious 'ICDM Graduate Director' title, a Certificate of Completion, and exclusive pin.

Rigorous Admission

An elite cohort selection process ensures high-caliber peer learning among C-suite executives.

Holistic Curriculum

A comprehensive 5-pillar framework integrating governance, strategy, risk, and leadership foresight.

Practical Immersion

Goes beyond theory with high-stakes boardroom simulations, case clinics, and real-world scenarios.

Ecosystem Access

Direct entry into Malaysia's premier director community with exclusive networking and mentorship.

The Framework

A Five-Stage Competency Journey

Comprehensive curriculum designed to build board-ready capabilities

01

Board Readiness Fundamentals

 
  • ICDM Membership
  • Board & Directorship Foundation & Governance
  • Boardroom Dynamics & Effectiveness
  • Boardroom Simulation & Case Clinics

02

Value Creation & Risk Stewardship

 
  • Financial Acumen for Directors
  • Crisis Management & Board Decision-Making
  • Risk Management & Internal Controls
  • Strategy & Long-Term Value Creation

03

Judgement, Foresight & Leadership

 
  • Ethical Leadership & Decision Making
  • Sustainability, ESG & Stakeholder Governance
  • Digital, Cyber & Technology Governance
  • People, Talent & Succession Oversight

04

Professional Readiness & Presence

 
  • Group Mentoring
  • Professional Presence & Board Profiling
  • Board Interview Preparedness
  • Professional Screening & Assessment

05

Board Ecosystem & Networking

 
  • Graduation and Peer Networking Session
  • Introduction to Director Ecosystems and Communities

 

ADIP®2026 Competency Framework

Programme Investment

Your Investment in Boardroom Excellence

Full Programme Fee

RM

20,500

Inclusive of 8% SST

What's Included in Your Journey:

  • Full 6-month structured programme
  • Professional screening & assessment
  • All in-person & virtual sessions
  • 1-Year ICDM Individual Membership
  • Boardroom simulations & case clinics
  • Graduation Ceremony invitation
  • Group board mentorship sessions
  • ICDM Graduate Director credential + Pin

 

Note: Admission is strictly subject to ICDM's professional screening and selection process.

ICDM | National Institute of Directors Malaysia

Your Governance Journey Starts Here

Strengthening boards. Developing directors. Advancing governance excellence.

Email

nicole@icdm.com.my

Contact

+6016-778 5617

Website

www.icdm.com.my