ICDM Continuous Professional Development
Supported by
The Aspiring Directors Immersion Programme® (ADIP®) is a structured and immersive 6-month director development journey designed to prepare high-potential leaders and professionals for effective and responsible service in the boardroom. The programme equips participants with essential governance knowledge, strategic insight, financial acumen, and the judgement and independence of mind expected of modern directors operating in increasingly complex and regulated environments.
ADIP® adopts a holistic, end-to-end approach to directorship development, integrating foundational governance education with practical exposure to real boardroom dynamics. Participants gain a grounded understanding of directors’ fiduciary duties, oversight responsibilities, and decision-making expectations, while developing insight into how boards, committees, and Chairs operate in practice.
Watch the ADIP® Programme Overview
Criteria and Expectations
Participants must meet the following minimum qualifications and experience. If you are appointed to a board position during the programme, you can continue as long as there's no conflict of interest. Should unforeseen circumstances lead to withdrawal from the program, a cost equivalent to the completed stage will apply.
Participants selection must have the following minimum qualification and experience:
- Held senior management positions (C-suite and C-1 levels) and possesses a minimum of 15-20 years of comprehensive working experience from current and previous career/business.
- Interacted with board directors for at least 3 years, demonstrating expertise in areas such as finance, commercial development strategy, strategy & risk, human capital strategy, ICT strategy, Mergers & Acquisition, ESG, and sustainability.
- Familiar with monthly financial reports.
- Maintains a positive online and media presents with no bad publicity.
- Capable of serving on a company board while currently employed
Has a positive demeanour, appears calm and confident and is capable of high-level decision-making or policy setting even when under pressure in the boardroom. Shows maturity as a ‘team player’ i.e. respects others and supports the board's collective decisions. Possesses integrity and supports corporate governance.
Has the willingness to engage in board debates, asks the right questions, critically challenges without dominating, thinks in the best interest of the company and is capable of offering rational, succinct, or even contrary perspectives. Possesses the intellect to analyse, evaluate & contribute positively to board discussions. Is incisive.
Has the requisite leadership or advisory skills and experience in business management and/or international operations that are likely to benefit listed companies. Brings or adds marketing or operational management skills or overseas knowledge to their board, especially if currently is or was ex-CEO/MD level.
Has desirable competencies for future boards, for examples: (a) expertise in strategy, technology, finance, CG, risk management, corporate law, banking, regulatory, ESG etc, or (b) high visibility & presence, personal networks and contacts.
Programme Roadmap
- Board-ready Affiliates
- Ordinary Members
- Corporate Directorship & Governance
- Conflict of interest
- Boardroom Simulation
- Risk Management & Strategy
- Board & Management Relationship
- Finance for Boards
- Emerging Trend
- 1-to-1 Board Profiling
- 1-to-1 Mentoring
- Group Coaching on Board Interviews
- Board-Readiness Screening (for Affiliates only)
- Graduation Event (ICDM Graduate Director) attended by stakeholders and graduates
- Social Media Profiling
A Five-Stage Competency Journey
- ICDM Membership
- Board & Directorship Foundation & Governance
- Boardroom Dynamics & Effectiveness
- Boardroom Simulation & Case Clinics
- Financial Acumen for Directors
- Crisis Management & Board Decision-Making
- Risk Management & Internal Controls
- Strategy & Long-Term Value Creation
- Ethical Leadership & Decision Making
- Sustainability, ESG & Stakeholder Governance
- Digital, Cyber & Technology Governance
- People, Talent & Succession Oversight
- Group Mentoring Professional Scree
- Professional Presence & Board Profiling
- Board Interview Preparedness
- Professional Screening & Assessment
- Graduation and Peer Networking Session s
- Introduction to Director Ecosystems and Communities
Full Programme Fee
RM 20,500
*Inclusive of 8% sst
- 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
How to Enrol
For enquiry or non-ICDM member who is interested to register for ADIP®, please email to adip@icdm.com.my
Testimonials
When I joined one of the institutions for my first directorship, I was searching for a programme to enhance my skills and knowledge and I got privileged to join the Aspiring Director Immersion Programme® (ADIP®). Through ADIP®, I gained a deeper understanding of risk management strategies, which proved invaluable in overseeing risk mitigation efforts at various organisations. Additionally, ADIP®significantly upskilled my financial report analysis capabilities. A mix of courses, including classes, mentoring, and networking sessions, has given me more opportunities to develop my skills and broaden my impact as a director. Thanks to ICDM for the great programme.
Signing up for ADIP® shows solid commitment that you are serious to be a board member, and that will give confidence to companies that are exploring for potential directors to consider you. ADIP® wholesome programme gives full coverage of all the key spectrum of being board member, and enable anyone with senior leadership experience to transition towards being aspiring directors. After I signed up for ADIP® programme and ICDM membership, I updated on LinkedIn to share my ICDM membership and ADIP® programme in January 2025, as well as share my aspiration to be independent director one day. I received several inbound approaches to explore independent director role, and in April 2025, Foodie Media Berhad appointed me as Independent Non-Executive Chairman.
For me, what sets ADIP® from other directorship programme out there is there is a lot of members coming from a wide industries. For me personally, the networking is very important. There is lot of sharing and learning. I like the fact that ADIP® also keeps up with the contemporary trends. I personally like the fact that we have older board members that acts like mentor to emerging board members like myself. While we may have experiences being on the management and presenting to board of directors, having insights on how board thinks, what board expect and what shareholder require is actually very important.