KINGSTON, Jamaica—At a time when good governance and accountability dominate global conversation, the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE), through its e-Campus, has been equipping those in the boardroom with the tools to meet higher standards.

Launched in 2018 to address gaps in director education, the e-Campus held its 12th cohort of The Director’s Strategic Guide to Corporate Governance and Leadership from March 2 to June 7, 2026, attracting 19 participants from the legal profession, corporate, government, and religious communities.

On Thursday, July 16, the e-Campus hosted a photo op and a presentation for the successful participants at the JSE.

“Having served on corporate boards for over two decades, I registered for the Jamaica Stock Exchange’s Directors’ Strategic Guide to Corporate Governance with the expectation of a worthwhile refresher. It exceeded that expectation,” said Lloyd Distant Jr, a businessman and former president of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce.

“The programme not only reinforced the fiduciary duties and governance responsibilities expected of today’s directors, but also introduced contemporary thinking, practical tools, and actionable frameworks that will enhance my effectiveness in the boardroom.”

Distant Jr commend the Jamaica Stock Exchange for delivering a programme that he said is equally valuable to experienced directors and those preparing for board service.

“Continuous learning is indispensable to good governance, and this programme makes a meaningful contribution to that journey,” Distant added.

According to Kevin Powell, principal of the JSE e-Campus, good governance is not a compliance checkbox.

“It’s the foundation of every well-run enterprise. Through the directors’ programme, we are equipping the next generation of directors with the judgment, accountability, and strategic insight that Jamaica’s boardrooms need to compete globally. The goal is simple: move governance from theory to practice by giving board members practical tools to oversee strategy, protect stakeholders, and ensure compliance in an increasingly complex regulatory environment,” Powell said.

For Jody Gager-Rose, a director at the listed Junior Market company Tropical Battery, completing the course was an intense and truly eye-opening experience.

“Board service is no joke; it goes far beyond just reviewing provided documents or simply attending meetings. Directors act as the ultimate gatekeepers for shareholders and stakeholders, which means we must be willing to probe more deeply, ask the right questions, and seek clear evidence behind management’s reports. The program highlighted a fundamental truth: what gets measured gets done—and when boards don’t probe, critical issues can fly under the radar and risk corporate failure,” she said.

The e-Campus delivers training on fiduciary duties, ethics, and regulatory requirements. By making world-class governance education accessible online, the JSE is helping organisations strengthen accountability from the top down.

“The section that caught my attention most was the need for IT Governance,” said Nigel Coke, chairman of the NCU Media Advisory Board. “It highlighted that IT risk management requires direct board oversight and should not be left to the IT department. It also emphasized the critical need for proper data protection, a global requirement for all organisations that collect individuals’ personal data. This course is a must for current and prospective board members.”

The Director’s Strategic Guide to Corporate Governance and Leadership is a postgraduate diploma in corporate governance, offered in collaboration with the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ).