The Zircon Academy (the Academy) boasts a diverse range of onsite and online legal courses. The bouquet of courses undergoes frequent review to ensure technical and commercial accuracy and relevancy, and are aimed at facilitating the consistent development of excellent legal, business and commercial skills. As a testament to our commitment to sound knowledge development, the Academy presently offers: (a) the Business Finance Masterclass (the BFM) which focuses on Business Loans vis-à-vis Documentation, Early Warning Signals, Problems Loans and Restructuring; (b) the Strategic Governance Masterclass (the SGM); and (c ) the Tax Planning Masterclass (the TPM).
The BFM is an intensive course that covers all aspects of a loan transaction as participants are taken through the process of negotiating, documenting and monitoring a loan/facility. As we are aware, many businesses are faced with the continuous problem of actual or potential non-performing loans or other credit exposures. With lenders constantly in search of ways to maximize recovery, specialist knowledge is required by management of businesses to analyse the causes of business finance problems and to design and implement optimal restructuring solutions. The BFM training is thus intended to be practical and interactive. The techniques taught to participants are intended to be of immediate practical use in their businesses. By the end of the Masterclass, participants, amongst other competencies, would be able to master optimal debt restructuring solutions; explore key clauses and issues in a loan agreement; review loan agreements in different commercial contexts; and review contractual support arrangements.
The Strategic Governance Masterclass (SGM) provides practical and innovative approaches to different governance issues and examines international developments and global best practices in the corporate compliance and governance space. Entirely tailored to each organization’s unique mandate, strategy, challenges and goals, the SGM equips corporate leaderships with the knowledge, skills and capabilities needed to ensure high performance and value creation. The intensive course covers all aspects of board leadership and participation. With boards constantly in search of ways to maximize efficiency, specialist knowledge is required to analyse, design and implement optimal board utility solutions. The objective of the training is thus to assist boards to fully and effectively discharge their duties to the organization, thereby enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the board. The SBM is designed to be practical and interactive. The techniques taught to participants are also intended to be capable of immediate practical utilization.
The Academy also offers presentations, training sessions and compliance seminars for board members and other prescribed officers. We facilitate formal orientation programmes for new directors to aid familiarization with the organizations operations, strategic plan, senior management and its business environment, and to induct them in their fiduciary duties and responsibilities. We also facilitate periodic, relevant, professional and continuing education programmes for boards to update their knowledge and skills and keep them informed of developments in the organization’s business and operating environment.
The Academy’s schedule of courses and relevant curriculum are disclosed from time to time on the Firm’s website and other platforms.