The Global Chairs &
Board Directors Network
Where the world's governance leaders connect, develop, and lead.
The professional home for board chairs, non-executive directors, NRC leaders, and governance professionals. A curated global community that combines peer networking, structured governance education, board career support, and the thought leadership that keeps you ahead of every boardroom challenge.
The boardroom has never been more demanding
The demands on board directors, committee chairs, and governance professionals are expanding faster than any individual's informal learning can accommodate. Yet most directors navigate these challenges without a structured peer network, without ongoing professional development, and without access to the governance intelligence that would make their oversight more effective.
The Global Chairs & Board Directors Network exists to solve this problem. Not with another directory or another newsletter, but with a living governance community designed by practitioners who understand what board leaders actually need: trusted peers, relevant education, career support, and the recognition their governance leadership deserves.
Five reasons governance leaders choose this network
Built by practitioners, not academics
Led by Wassim Karkabi — board governance advisor, NRC Chair, and senior headhunter with over twenty years at the intersection of executive search and board governance. Every programme reflects what directors actually need in the boardroom.
The Five Pillars of NRC Governance™ at the core
No other director network is anchored by a proprietary governance framework. The Five Pillars (Nomination, Remuneration, Succession, Evaluation, Development) give members a shared language for every governance challenge.
Four tiers that grow with your career
From aspiring directors at Standard to board chairs at Executive to governance teams at Corporate. As your responsibilities grow, your membership grows with you. Benefits calibrated to seniority — no other network offers this.
Board career support, not just networking
Board role listings, CV review, interview preparation, advisory coaching, concierge introductions, and dedicated relationship managers. This network actively supports your board career, not just your contact list.
Education integrated, not adjacent
Preferential access to GBI's education portfolio: the Professional Diploma in NRC Governance™, Corporate Governance Diploma, ESG Diploma, and AI Governance certificates. Members receive 10-20% discounts depending on tier.
Your membership benefits
Four benefit categories, each with tier-scaled access.
Global Directors Network Portal
A private digital platform to search the directory, join peer groups, access board role listings, and connect with governance leaders across 60+ countries.
Searchable Member Directory
Find and connect with members by seniority, industry, geography, governance domain, and committee role. Build the targeted relationships that lead to board introductions.
Board Role Listings & Matching
NED opportunities, advisory board positions, and committee roles. Access scales by tier: browse (Standard), priority (Premium), VIP first-look (Executive), 5-seat access (Corporate).
Regional Chapter Events
In-person networking in your region. Meet peers, build trusted relationships, and learn from local governance leaders. Chapters: Dubai, Riyadh, London, and expanding.
Private Peer Groups & Forums
Curated groups by governance domain (NRC, audit, risk, ESG), industry sector, or geography. Confidential discussion spaces. Available from Premium tier upward.
Concierge & 1-on-1 Introductions
Executive members receive concierge introductions. Corporate members receive a dedicated relationship manager. Human-facilitated connections, not algorithms.
Webinars & On-Demand Library
Full access to GBI's growing library of governance webinars, expert interviews, and on-demand masterclasses covering ESG, AI governance, NRC practice, and more.
Course & Programme Discounts (10-20%)
Preferential pricing on all GBI education programmes. Standard: 10%, Premium: 15%, Executive: 20%, Corporate: 20% for all 5 seats.
Exclusive Masterclasses
Premium-only and Executive-only masterclasses on advanced governance topics: NRC Chair effectiveness, remuneration best practice, AI governance for boards, and cross-border governance.
Governance Insights Newsletter
Curated briefings on regulatory developments, board appointment trends, and proxy season updates. Monthly (Standard), weekly (Premium), weekly + real-time alerts (Executive/Corporate).
Co-Branded Thought Leadership
Corporate members co-produce one governance content asset per year with GBI: a published insight paper, recorded webinar, case study, or research report.
Annual Global Board Summit
GBI's flagship governance conference. Board chairs, directors, institutional investors, and governance leaders. Discounted access (10-20%) scaling by tier. 5 VIP passes for Corporate.
Event Passes
Discounted or included access to GBI workshops, roundtables, masterclasses, and special events throughout the year. Scaling by tier: 10% (Standard) to unlimited (Corporate).
Speaker & Panellist Opportunities
Priority consideration for speaking, panel, and moderator roles at GBI events, webinars, and the Summit. Build your governance thought-leadership profile. Executive and Corporate only.
Advisory / Coaching Sessions
Confidential one-to-one sessions with a senior governance advisor. Discuss career strategy, committee effectiveness, or any governance challenge. Premium: 1/yr, Executive: 2/yr, Corporate: 2/yr per member.
Board CV Review & Interview Prep
Have your NED profile professionally reviewed with specific feedback on positioning, credentials, and presentation to nominating committees. Premium, Executive, and Corporate tiers.
Media & PR Spotlight
LinkedIn spotlights, newsletter profiles, podcast guest invitations, and governance publication opportunities through GBI's channels. Executive and Corporate tiers.
Annual Governance Health-Check
A structured review of your organisation's governance practices against the Five Pillars and international best practice. Confidential report with prioritised recommendations. Corporate tier only.
Four tiers, one network
Choose the membership that fits your governance journey.
- Board role listings (browse)
- Quarterly chapter events
- 10% course discounts
- Monthly newsletter
- 10% Summit discount
- Peer groups
- Advisory sessions
- CV review
- Priority board role access
- Quarterly chapter events
- 15% course discounts
- Weekly newsletter
- Private peer groups
- Exclusive masterclasses
- 1 advisory session / year
- Board CV review & interview prep
- VIP first-look board roles
- Unlimited chapter events
- 20% course discounts
- Weekly + real-time alerts
- Concierge introductions
- 2 advisory sessions / year
- Media & PR spotlight
- 5-seat access, all benefits
- Dedicated relationship manager
- 20% course discounts (5 seats)
- 20% VIP Summit passes discounts
- Co-branded thought leadership
- Annual governance health-check
- Up to 5 advisory sessions
Built for every stage of your governance career
From aspiring directors to entire governance teams.
Aspiring Board Directors
Building governance knowledge and professional networks for your first board seat.
Start at StandardEarly-Career NEDs
First board seat secured — accelerate your effectiveness and build your reputation.
Standard or PremiumPractising NEDs
Multiple boards, structured CPD, peer exchange, and career advisory for maximum impact.
PremiumCommittee Chairs
NRC, audit, risk, ESG — lead the committees that govern the most consequential decisions.
Premium or ExecutiveBoard Chairs
Set the governance tone at the highest level with a peer community that matches your seniority.
ExecutiveGovernance Teams
Boards, company secretaries, and governance professionals — invest in the entire team.
CorporateC-Suite Executives
Preparing for the transition from executive leadership to non-executive governance.
Standard to ExecutiveSearch & Advisory Professionals
Executive search professionals and governance advisors serving the board ecosystem.
Standard or PremiumWorld-class governance education, at preferential rates
GCBD members receive 10% to 20% off all GBI programmes. Combine your network membership with structured governance education to build the credentials and frameworks that set you apart.
Professional Diploma in NRC Governance™
The world's first qualification for the NRC Chair. 13 modules, EQF Level 7, post-nominal PD.NRC (GBI). Built on the Five Pillars of NRC Governance™ framework.
Learn more →Diploma in Corporate Governance
University credit-rated (EQF Level 7). 10 modules. Practical governance training for board directors. Recommended by 97.3% of alumni.
Learn more →ESG Diploma
Comprehensive ESG governance education for directors and sustainability professionals navigating the evolving ESG landscape.
Learn more →AI Governance Certificates
Foundations of AI Governance and Implementing AI Governance in Practice. Prepare your board for the AI oversight challenge.
Learn more →The institution behind the network
The Global Board Institute is a governance education, advisory, and community organisation headquartered in Dubai, serving board directors and governance professionals across the GCC, Europe, and internationally.
GBI provides governance education programmes (diplomas, certificates, masterclasses), board advisory services, and the Global Chairs & Board Directors Network. Named Best Institute of the Year 2024, its education programmes are EQF-aligned and delivered in partnership with leading governance institutions.
The Professional Diploma in NRC Governance™, built on The Gatekeeper's Chair by Wassim Karkabi, is the world's first dedicated NRC Chair qualification.
Wassim Karkabi
Non-Executive Director, NRC Chair, Board Governance Advisor. Over twenty years as a senior headhunter with Stanton Chase, a Forbes-ranked global executive search firm. Creator of the Five Pillars of NRC Governance™ framework. Author of The Gatekeeper's Chair.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about GCBD Network membership.
Your governance career deserves
the right network.
Join the Global Chairs & Board Directors Network and connect with the peers, education, and career support that keep you ahead of every boardroom challenge.
