YDF’s Conference to Focus on Business Growth, Sustainability

Raheem   Akingbolu

The Young Directors Forum of the Chartered Institute of Directors has announced that the maiden edition of its annual conference, slated for next week in Lagos, will focus on taking business owners and young entrepreneurs through sustainability and corporate governance strategies. 

In a statement signed by the Chairperson, YDF CIoD, Mrs. Folasade Akinmusire, the organisers indicated that the conference will feature an array of distinguished speakers, including the Head of Sustainability at Access Holding Plc , Mrs. Omobolanle Victor- Laniyan, the  Managing Director, Carbon Limits Limited, James Ogunleye among others.

“The event provides an opportunity to discuss sustainability reporting and   corporate governance strategies and  how these concepts can be deployed to drive the continued existence and relevance of businesses,” the statement stated.

It was also stated that the YDF conference focus will dwell elaborately on small and meduim sized organisations as the engine of the economy  and how they can leverage  corporate governance and sustainability reporting  to scale up their business from  a  successful business to a Sustainable Business.

The conference also provides the opportunity for high-level engagement and networking amongst upcoming directors, business managers, CFOs, company secretaries, and budding entrepreneurs.

Meanwhile, experts have described the conference as being timely, considering the need to galvanise Nigeria’s market towards an enduring economic recovery and the fact that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the engine of private-sector growth in both developing and developed economies. In Nigeria, they contribute 54% of the economy’s GDP with over 11,663 SMEs in Lagos State alone.

The YDF’s statement further stated that recent study has shown that most small businesses do not make it to their fifth anniversary due to various reasons such as poor management strategies and structure, lack of  stakeholder interest engagement, lack of succession planning, inability to acquire and retain talents, weak growth management, inadequate funding opportunities as well as resistance to change.

“Experience over the years have shown that introducing sustainability strategies to address some of these challenges have assisted some start-ups that have now up-scaled their businesses and this conference hopes to point out to SMEs and startups the benefits of sustainability reporting, the strategizing process and how to address the challenges in integrating sustainability strategies that are critical to long-term business success and sustainability.

We have engaged sustainability experts who will be sharing their journey, knowledge, and key strategies to adopt in this regard” the statement stated.

Speaking to the target audience of the conference, the statement said it’s open and relevant to small business owners and entrepreneurs, directors and intending directors, company secretaries and Chief Financial Officers, and of course sustainability heads and aspiring sustainability experts.