Corporate governance is an essential building block of stable economies. A well-managed parastatal can contribute to sustained socio-economic growth, and badly managed entities can become a shackle to national development. From our experience, the main clogs in the wheel of State Enterprises & Parastatals (SOEs) efficiency are typically conflicting objectives, agency issues (political interference) and a lack of transparency. At Zircon Strategy, we develop and offer strategic advisory and trainings to SEOs on how to remedy these issues, and on the implementation of their statutory mandates, conformance to their enabling statutes, composition and operational efficiency of their management boards in accordance with good governance practices, and the continuous monitoring of performance and efficiency.
Zircon Strategy boasts a best in class independent advisory council and academy training faculty, most of whom are trail blazers in recondite areas of SEO operationalization and deployment of public service as a tool for sustainable national development. These, in complement with our in-depth knowledge and experience of public law and public policy advisory, enable us to go beyond corporate citizenship to be partners in national development. In particular, our goals as good governance advisors to SEOs are to facilitate the prevention of abuses of power and authority, and engender the use of resources appropriately and efficiently, vide the instrumentality of good corporate governance.
Legislative Sensitivities Audit and Impact Analysis
Annual Corporate Governance Process and Compliance Audits
SEO Governance Best Practice Research, Benchmarking, Development & Implementation
Board Structuring, Composition, Design and Recruitment
Board Induction, Development and Mandate Facilitation
Management Effectiveness Reviews and Performance Assessment Planning
Governance Review, Gap Survey and Analysis
Controls, Transparency and Disclosures Audit
Board Succession Planning
Board Evaluation Services
Board Skills and Diversity Audit
Compensation Research, Benchmarking, Development & Advisory
SEO Governance Crisis Management
Anti-Corruption and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Audit
Independent Internal Assessments and Investigations
Policy Advocacy
Trainings and Re-orientation
We believe that the efficiency of SEOs depends on the entrenchment of certain key fundamentals. As such, in our advisory to and trainings of SEOs on good governance practices, we are guided by the following considerations, all of which, we believe, must interact optimally for operational and mandate efficiency of the SEO:
At all times, our SEO advisory services are crafted to clarify relationships and reporting structures among stakeholders, provide for transparency and role clarity in terms of responsibilities and accountabilities, entrench financial reporting, internal checks and controls, risk management and communication requirements, minimize conflict of interest, improve efficiency and effectiveness in SEOs operations, and provide for performance monitoring and evaluation. We keep a keen eye on both legal and political developments in the country and the region. We ensure that our clients are kept abreast of various developments in legal, regulatory and compliance issues affecting SEOs operationally. We also undertake legal audits to ensure compliance with applicable laws.