Become a member

Our global influence provides a platform for truly international exchange, policy influence and professional recognition.

The gold standard of the governance profession

Membership of CGI distinguishes you as a highly qualified professional with a commitment to life-long learning, knowledge sharing and global networking. Our global influence provides a platform for truly international exchange, policy influence and professional recognition.

Membership of the Chartered Governance Institute will:

Distinguish you

in your career with an internationally recognised qualification – the gold standard in governance.

with real-time knowledge of latest governance trends through guidance and webinars.

to a global network of governance professionals across X continents at Global Governance Events

through global policy and advocacy to influence governance standards, regulations and market practice.

as a partner on your life-long learning journey with continuing professional development activities.

Don’t just take our word for it

Hear from some of our recent graduates

How to become a member

Becoming a member is generally through completion of the Institute’s International Qualifying Programme. But there are many other pathways to becoming a member depending on your prior study, work experience and existing professional memberships.

A wide range of prior degrees could entitle you to some reduction in study requirements. A university degree, or equivalent, in areas that could include law, accounting, finance, commerce, economics, risk management, corporate governance, actuarial studies, an MBA or Executive-MBA and more are relevant.

A background in broad company secretarial or governance professional responsibilities or experience in areas such as risk management, accounting, auditing, change-management and more could also entitle you to some reduction in study.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Advancing your membership

Affiliated Member

If you have qualified as an Affiliated Member by taking any subjects in the Institute’s International Qualifying Programme, at some later time if you want to progress to Associate you need only pass the remaining required exams.

Once qualified you can use the post-nominals of CG(Affiliated)

Graduate

Once you’ve passed the full set of required exams in the Institute’s International Qualifying Programme you’ll become a graduate of CGI. To attain graduateship you must first register as an CGI student and formally accept GradICSA status. You can then use the post-nominal GradICSA.

Associate

Graduates can apply for Associate status when they have completed six years of appropriate professional experience. This can be reduced to three years should you have a relevant degree. When you become an Associate, you are then a Chartered Secretary and/or a Chartered Governance Professional and can use the post-nominal ACG.

Fellow

Associate members can become a Fellow of the Institute when they have reached a senior level and can demonstrate at least eight years’ relevant work experience. This can be reduced with relevant education qualifications in some circumstances. When you become a Fellow you can then use the post-nominal FCG.

What is a Chartered Secretary?

Chartered Secretaries are senior professionals trained in law, finance, governance and strategy. They principally work as company secretaries or in other similar governance roles. They are obliged to uphold the highest standards of governance practice and ethical behaviour.

Highly valued by employers for their CGI training, Chartered Secretaries are the primary source of advice on governance to their board. Broadly, this can span everything from legal and accounting advice, to the development of strategy and corporate planning.

What is a Chartered Governance Professional?

Chartered Governance Professionals qualified by The Chartered Governance Institute have a deep understanding of governance usually across the listed company, public and/or not-for-profit sectors. They also have a deep understanding of risk management and how to apply it across their organisation.

Chartered Governance Professionals often act as their organisation’s company secretary but also often have roles as risk managers or compliance managers. They are obliged to uphold the highest standards of governance practice and ethical behaviour.

Continuing professional development

The governance and risk management landscape is constantly evolving, presenting new challenges to companies striving for responsible performance. You ensure the actions of these organisations match the values by which they operate

This is why all members of The Chartered Governance Institute are required to complete continuing professional development hours, ensuring they are always equipped with the highest standard and most up-to-date knowledge and skills.

Continuing professional development hours can be either structured or unstructured.

Structured activity can include face-to-face attendance at personal development events (external or in-house training), and can include courses, seminars, conferences and conventions, workshops and master-classes.

Unstructured activity can include reading and studying materials from journals, podcasts, CDs and DVDs and audio tapes.

Contact your local institute to find out what is on offer in your region.