CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ADVISORY
Build Trust. Embed Accountability.
Strengthen Oversight.
Good governance is all about how your organisation is led, how decisions are made, and how power is balanced. At a time when regulators, investors, and society demand transparency and integrity, your governance framework is no longer just legal requirement but a business advantage.
AKW Consultants helps ensure your governance systems are fit for purpose, audit-ready, and aligned with international best practices.
Governance Is Not a Checklist.
It’s the Backbone of Your Business.
Governance Is Not a Checklist.
It’s the Backbone of Your Business.
Five Common Governance Challenges
01
Lack of Role Clarity
Blurred lines between board, management, and compliance teams create gaps in accountability.
02
Weak Transparency & Disclosure
Late or incomplete financial, ownership, or ESG disclosures erode trust and credibility.
03
Conflict of Interest Risks
Without policies on related-party transactions or whistleblowing, companies face legal and reputational exposure.
04
Missing Risk Frameworks
Many organisations still lack structured internal audit, compliance, or board-level risk oversight.
05
Board Stagnation
Outdated board skills, limited diversity, and poor renewal practices risk investor confidence and regulatory scrutiny.
HOW WE HELP
Our Corporate Governance Solutions
Governance Framework & Board Structuring
- Design governance models aligned with UAE Commercial Companies Law, Free Zone regulations, and global standards
- Define board roles, composition, and independence requirements
- Structure Audit, Risk, Sustainability, and Nomination Committees
- Draft or review MOAs, AOA, and committee Terms of Reference
Ethical Governance Systems
- Develop Codes of Conduct and supplier codes tailored to your industry
- Build effective whistleblower mechanisms with independence and protection
- Draft policies on conflicts of interest, insider trading, confidentiality, and anti-bribery
- Deliver board- and management-level ethics training
Risk & Compliance Oversight
- Integrate compliance and internal audit functions into board oversight
- Establish risk dashboards and control-testing cycles
- Ensure compliance across regulators like CBUAE, SCA, DMCC, DFSA, FSRA
Stakeholder Transparency & ESG Governance
- Build stakeholder engagement frameworks for investors, regulators, and employees
- Align disclosures with GRI, UN Global Compact, and OECD standards
- Support in drafting annual governance reports and ESG disclosures
Why Businesses Choose AKW
Decades of Experience
Our team includes ex-Big Four consultants, board advisers, and ESG specialists with deep regulatory expertise.
Regulated-Sector Focus
Trusted by listed companies, family groups, holding entities, and regulated sectors such as financial services, real estate, and commodities.
Multidisciplinary Advisory
We blend legal, compliance, audit, ESG, and ethics expertise for a complete solution.
Proven Track Record
We’ve advised governance transformations for gold refiners, fintechs, real estate developers, and holding companies across the GCC.
Aligned With Global Standards
Our frameworks reflect the latest G20/OECD Principles (2023 update), UAE governance laws, and sector-specific regulatory expectations.
Governance That Drives Growth & Trust
Good governance doesn’t just protect, it empowers. With AKW, you’ll have structures that withstand scrutiny, improve decision-making, and build long-term trust with investors, regulators, and stakeholders.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is corporate governance?
It’s the framework of processes, controls, and relationships that ensures companies are accountable, transparent,
and effectively managed.
Is corporate governance mandatory in the UAE?
Yes. The UAE Commercial Companies Law requires governance frameworks, and Free Zones like DMCC have their own regulations (e.g., DMCCA Regulations 2024).
Do UAE companies need women on boards?
Yes. By January 2025, all private joint-stock companies must have at least one female board member (building on SCA’s 2021 rule for public joint-stock companies).
What is a whistleblower mechanism?
It’s a secure system that lets employees or stakeholders report misconduct anonymously, with clear protection
and escalation processes.
What are the six G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance?
- Market integrity & regulatory consistency
- Shareholder rights & equal treatment
- Investment chain incentives
- Transparent disclosures
- Board accountability
- Corporate sustainability & resilience
Can AKW help during governance breakdowns or disputes?
Yes. We provide confidential support during board conflicts, regulator scrutiny, or governance failures, helping restore systems, trust, and compliance.
What makes AKW different from legal-only advisors?
We don’t just draft documents. We deliver end-to-end governance advisory from board structures to ethics training, compliance dashboards, and stakeholder engagement.