Corporate Governance Institute vs. Chartered Governance Institute: A Detailed Comparison

Understanding the nuances between different governance institutions is crucial for professionals in the field. This article provides a detailed comparison between the Corporate Governance Institute and the Chartered Governance Institute, exploring their roles, memberships, and historical context.

The Chartered Governance Institute: An Overview

The Chartered Governance Institute is the qualifying and membership body for governance with over 125 years’ experience of educating and supporting governance professionals. With a Royal Charter purpose of leading ‘effective and efficient governance and administration of commerce, industry and public affairs’, they provide professional development, guidance and thought leadership, and work with regulators and policy makers to champion high standards.

The Chartered Governance Institute is the qualifying and membership body for governance with over 125 years’ experience of educating and supporting governance professionals. With a Royal Charter purpose of leading ‘effective and efficient governance and administration of commerce, industry and public affairs’, we provide professional development, guidance and thought leadership, and work with regulators and policy makers to champion high standards.

The Institute has divisions in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong/China, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Southern Africa, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe. This page is curated by our division headquartered in London.

Historical Context: The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA), as The Chartered Governance Institute was formerly known, changed its name by grant of a Supplemental Charter on 16 September. The Institute has always moved with the times to reflect the work that it does, which is why it has undergone several name changes during its history.

Having started life in 1891 as the Institute of Secretaries of Joint Stock Companies and Other Public Bodies, the Institute became the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators in 1971. Now is the next stage in our 128 years’ history of educating and supporting governance professionals to become chartered secretaries and chartered governance professionals.

Membership and Governance

Membership Details

To become a member with Chartered Governance Institute you must complete either the new Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance and Risk Management or the former Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance. Current Governance Institute members can join Chartered Governance Institute once they’ve completed postgraduate study.

Relationship with Governance Institute of Australia

Governance Institute of Australia and The Chartered Governance Institute are separate membership bodies. However, Governance Institute administers the Australian division of The Chartered Governance Institute. Many Governance Institute members are members of both associations but not all are. Members of Governance Institute are governed under the Governance Institute Constitution. Members of both are governed by both.

Chartered Governance Institute (CGI) are able to access Governance Institute of Australia’s member benefits if they are members.

Key Differences and Similarities

To summarize the key aspects discussed, here's a table highlighting the distinctions between the two institutes:

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