St.Gallen Board Certificate CAS HSG

Learn from decades of real-life boardroom experiences and become a certified board member.
EMBA HSG Graduation 23 v2
CAS

Programme overview

The St.Gallen Board Certificate CAS HSG offers a comprehensive board education for incumbent and prospective board members. It is aimed at persons who seek to learn about the key features of effective corporate governance and who want to become a certified board member. The Board Certificate has been co-developed by HSG’s academic faculty together with senior chairs and board members from prominent Swiss and European companies.

Today’s board members are expected to think more strategically and act more transformational than ever. At the same time, stakeholders and regulators require boards to fit into a governance context of increasing compliance and accountability. This is almost a paradox. As a result, the need for structured and systematic board training is becoming more important. HSG has formed a coalition of renowned governance scholars and senior board practitioners in order to offer a comprehensive boardroom certification that closely supports participants in their personal boardroom journeys.

The St.Gallen Board Certificate CAS HSG is part of the renowned St.Gallen Board Programmes portfolio that consists of a comprehensive suite of boardroom initiatives, ranging from entry-level programmes to formats for Europe’s most experienced chairs and board members.

Next step

Are you interested in this programme? You have the opportunity to visit an info event to find out if this executive education fits you and your career planning:

Consultation

Learn more about this programme in a personal conversation.

Arrange a consultation
Kristin Fuchs Kristin Fuchs

Kristin Fuchs Senior Acquisition Manager

Programme details

Programme type

CAS

Format

Language

English

Number of ECTS credits

10

Duration

12 days on-campus + virtual transfer sessions

Location

Executive Campus St.Gallen, Holzstrasse 15, 9010 St.Gallen, Switzerland | online

Price

CHF 24'500

Next date

Start date: 07.03.2025
places available

Programme Directors

Prof. Dr. Georg Guttmann
Co-Director of the St.Gallen Board Certificate
Director of Board Programmes (ES-HSG) & Assistant Professor of International Corporate Governance University of St.Gallen
InesPoschel 1 edited
Ines Poeschel
Co-Director of the St.Gallen Board Certificate
Board Member at Alcon, Belimo, Dormakaba and several non-listed Swiss companies

Partner at Kellerhals Carrard Zurich

Programme features

Benefit from the most comprehensive university-based boardroom education

Gain deep insight into how to be an effective board member across different contexts, including in companies that are privately-, publicly, family-, private equity-, or state-owned as well as in SMEs, foundations, subsidiaries, professional services firms and startups.

Become a certified board member

Attaining the St.Gallen Board Certificate demonstrates a significant commitment to boardroom excellence. As the expectations towards board members are becoming ever-more demanding, you signal that you are prepared to effectively navigate the challenges of a non-executive director.

Grow your board network

During the St.Gallen Board Certificate you will grow your board network by meeting numerous chairs, board members, and boardroom thought leaders. Together you will refine your personal boardroom roadmap and specify the individual value that you can contribute to the board of directors.

Untitled 1280 × 1329px 2

Programme structure

SGBC CAS HSG

Certified boardroom skills

Upon completing the St.Gallen Board Certificate, participants will be equipped with the necessary background to fulfil the following critical board tasks:

  • Understand implications of different governance systems.

  • Run effective board committee work (incl. audit, remuneration, nomination).

  • Build a rapport with key stakeholders.

  • Challenge, support and incentivise the CEO and executive team.

  • Manage board composition and diversity.

  • Set up efficient processes to facilitate board activities.

  • Anticipate and evaluate strategic threats and opportunities.

  • Respond to emerging themes (incl. digital transformation, ESG, geopolitics, cyber security, activism etc.).

  • Prepare for and manage crises.

  • Conduct meaningful board evaluation.

  • Engage in effective CEO and board succession planning.

  • Define one’s individual USP as a board member.

  • Chart one’s individual future board career path.

Agenda 2025

  • Onboarding (virtual)

    24 February 2025 (17.00-18.30)

  • Module 1 (on-campus)

    7 – 9 March 2025 (Fri – Sun)

  • Module 2 (on-campus)

    4 – 6 April 2025 (Fri – Sun)

  • Module 3 (on-campus)

    16 – 18 May 2025 (Fri – Sun)

  • Module 4 (on-campus)

    12 – 14 September 2025 (Fri – Sun)

  • Module 5 (on-campus)

    3 – 5 October 2025 (Fri – Sun)

  • Graduation Ceremony (on-campus)

    14 November 2025 (Fri)

Faculty 2024

Christian Bless

Christian Bless
Board Meeting Facilitator
Sherpany

JC Deslarzes Website 2

JC Deslarzes
Chair

Adecco Group

Florian Eugster Website

Prof. Florian Eugster
Professor of Auditing

(ACA-HSG)

Simon Evenett

Prof. Simon Evenett
Fmr. Professor of Intl. Trade and
Economic Development

(SIAW-HSG)

Sabina Furler Website

Sabina Furler
Partner

Expert for Leaders AG

Georg Guttmann

Prof. Georg Guttmann
Assistant Professor of
Intl. Corporate Governance

(FIM-HSG)

Naomi Haefner

Prof. Naomi Haefner
Assistant Professor of
Technology Management

(ITEM-HSG)

Nicole Herzog Website

Nicole Herzog
Chair

VIU Eyewear

Stephan Hostettler website

Dr. Stephan Hostettler

Managing Partner
HCM Hostettler & Company

Sonja Kissling

Sonja Kissling
Governance Consultant, Strategic Advisor
Family Business Matters

gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==

Monika Kruesi
Chair
Repower

Norbert Kuehnis

Norbert Kuehnis
Partner and Leader Family Business & SMEs, and Member of the Management Board
PwC Switzerland

T Laamanen

Prof. Tomi Laamanen
Professor of
Strategic Management
(IfB-HSG)

Annelis Website 1

Annelis Luescher
Board Member
Berner Kantonalbank

Klaus Moeller Website

Prof. Klaus Moeller
Professor of Performance
Management / Controlling
(ACA-HSG)

Ines Poeschel

Ines Poeschel
Board Member
Alcon Inc.

andrea rieger

Andrea Rieger
Group Head Legal & Compliance
Die Mobiliar

rolf georg schmid

Rolf Georg Schmid
Chair
AG Cilander

Simone Stebler Website

Simone Stebler
Partner,
Egon Zehnder

Regula Walimann

Regula Wallimann
Board Member
Straumann Group

Judith Walls Website

Prof. Judith Walls
Professor of
Sustainability Management
(IWOE-HSG)

Xena Welch Guerra website

Prof. Xena Welch Guerra
Co-Director Competence Centre for M&A
(IfB-HSG)

Dorothea Wenzel Website

Dorothea Wenzel
Board Member
Servier Pharmaceuticals

Sven Wildner website

Sven Wildner
CFO
Omya AG

Thomas Zellweger

Prof. Thomas Zellweger
Professor of
Family Business
(KMU-HSG)

Target audience

The St.Gallen Board Certificate is aimed at incumbent and prospective board members. A successful admission will be contingent upon the following admission criteria:

All applicants

  • Completed tertiary-level education.

  • At least five years of professional experience.

  • Proficiency in English.

Applicants with experience serving as non-executive director:

  • Members of boards of directors (corporate- or subsidiary-level) who currently hold a mandate or held one recently.

  • Members of foundation boards with legal authority who currently hold a mandate or held one recently.

Applicants without experience serving as non-executive director

  • Candidates have a relevant corporate background (e.g. serving at the executive committee or in a senior leadership role).

  • Candidates are accomplished experts in their field (e.g. medicine, law, engineering, professional services etc.).

Eligible applicants will be invited to an online interview. All industries, geographies, and functional backgrounds are welcome.

How to apply

Please click on the registration button on this page to apply. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis within 10 business days.

Events

Contact

Do you require further information?

I am gladly available for you and look forward to hearing from you.

Why University of St.Gallen

The HSG - your partner for first-class executive education in Switzerland

At the University of St. Gallen (HSG), you can choose from one of the largest executive education portfolios in the German speaking region – the right programme for your needs and career objectives. The renowned quality and practical relevance of the learning experience convinces more than 6000 participants per year. Profit from an Executive Degree from St.Gallen – the best business school in the German-speaking world – and get ahead in your career!

  • For high-quality teaching and executive training by top researchers

  • For competent executives

  • For Lifelong Learning

  • For international collaborations