New name for The Chartered Governance Institute SL branch

 The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland – Sri Lanka and Asia Pacific Branch Chair Bentley Barsenbach FCG

• The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland – Sri Lanka and Asia Pacific Branch

The UK and Ireland division of the global governance body, The Chartered Governance Institute, has announced a new name for its branch in Sri Lanka. 

As from 28 April, the branch will be called The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland – Sri Lanka and Asia Pacific Branch.

The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland Chief Executive Sara Drake explains the reason behind the change: “The renaming marks the completion of a rebranding process begun in 2018, following the decision by the global institute’s membership to change the name of the institute from The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) to The Chartered Governance Institute. The global body adopted its new name in 2020 and The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland division completed its own rebranding process this week.”

“Our brand connects the UK and Ireland division to the global body and its eight sister divisions. It represents who we are and what is unique about the institute as the world’s only chartered qualifying and membership body for governance professionals. 

“The new name for the Sri Lanka and Asia Pacific Branch reinforces its link to the UK and Ireland division, a family of some 14,500 members and students spread across the UK, Republic of Ireland, Crown Dependencies, Isle of Man and associated territories, which include Sri Lanka, Mauritius, the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East.”

The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland – Sri Lanka and Asia Pacific Branch Chair Bentley Barsenbach FCG said: “The Sri Lanka branch of the institute started life as the Association of Chartered Secretaries in Ceylon in 1953, although institute exams have been conducted for students since the late 1940’s. The change of name will raise the profile of the Institute in Sri Lanka as the leading governance institute in the world, one which sets the benchmark for governance professionals with its internationally recognised, gold standard, portable qualification. 

“I am delighted with the completion of the rebranding process as The Chartered Governance Institute name better encapsulates what our members bring to the table in terms of governance expertise. Good governance is not only best practice, but it is expected in all walks of life. Our members are highly qualified governance professionals who ensure Sri Lanka’s reputation as a good place to do business.”

The Sri Lanka and Asia Pacific branch provides support to governance professionals, offering continuing professional development and networking opportunities for members and non-members alike, supporting students and promoting the profession in Sri Lanka and Asia Pacific.

The current branch committee comprises the following members: Chair Bentley Barsenbach FCG, Vice-Chair Pramith Rajapaksha ACG, Secretary Rajanie Balakrishnan FCG, Treasurer Maya Ediriwickrema ACG, Dayani De Silva FCG; Kalani Abhayapala Silva ACG; Sakunika Wickremesinghe GradCG; Shahila Shibly GradCG and Jansi Kuganesan ACG.