Chartered Governance Institute

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The Chartered Governance Institute (CGI) is a professional body for governance roles, including company secretaries. It began in 1891 in London as the Institute of Secretaries, earned a royal charter in 1902, and after mergers became the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) in 1971. In 2019 it was renamed The Chartered Governance Institute. It operates worldwide with divisions in many countries; the London-based division is The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland, serving the UK, Ireland, Crown Dependencies, and territories such as the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka. The CGI has about 38 branches and groups, including the Chartered Secretaries Professional Practice Group, the Association of Women Chartered Secretaries, and the CGI Registrars Group, and is affiliated with the Worshipful Company of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators. It is a member of the CBI, ECODA, and PARN, and helped launch The Next Generation NED Network.

What the institute does
- Advocates governance reform and provides guidance for public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.
- Qualifies chartered secretaries and governance professionals; offers training, and bespoke board training.
- Publishes resources and runs conferences on corporate, charity, sports, and academy governance.
- Offers board reviews, governance assessments, and annual awards.

Qualifications and titles
- Post-nominals: Fellow (FCG/FCIS), Associate (ACG/ACIS); Affiliated members use CG (Affiliated); Graduates can use Grad CG or Grad ICSA.
- The flagship qualification is the Chartered Governance Qualifying Program (CGQP). After CGQP and the required work experience, candidates may become Associates or Fellows and use titles such as Chartered Secretary or Chartered Governance Professional.
- Chartered Secretary and Chartered Governance Professional are recognized UK designations approved by the Privy Council; Chartered Secretary is a regulated profession in the UK under certain rules (EU recognition).
- The London division offers a Foundation Program, validated postgraduate courses, and short courses in areas like international finance and governance; other divisions offer further courses.

Other notes
- The CGI has memoranda of understanding with the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN).
- In the UK, CGI is one of eleven professional bodies allowed to conduct independent examinations of charities with income above £250,000 but not subject to statutory audit (Charities Act 2011).

Headquarters and online
- Headquarters: Saffron House, 6-10 Kirby Street, London EC1N 8TS, United Kingdom
- Website: www.cgi.org.uk