Business Awards 2020

MEAMARKETS / 2020MEA Business Awards 65 , Most Influential Corporate Governance Professionals - South Africa FluidRock Governance Group (Pty) Ltd FluidRock is a leading independent governancefirmthat provides holistic service designed to meet the broad spectrumof needs presentedby anorganisation, its governing body, executives and shareholders. Named for its fluidity inoperatingpragmaticallyyet innovatively, and its solid foundations in legislationand long-standing relationships, FluidRock is constantly striving tobe the enablers for companies seeking tobe ethical, well-governed corporate citizens, defying the perceptions of corporate governance failures inSouthAfrica andbeyond that are disseminatedby themedia.We take a closer lookat the inclusive, female-empoweredfirmtofindoutmore. Based in South Africa, FluidRock Governance Group supports state-owned companies and agencies, public and private companies, non-profit entities, and tribes. Driven by leading and experienced professionals in the industry, FluidRock provides a holistic suite of solutions that meets the relevant needs of every party in an organisation, from the board to employees to shareholders. 95% powered by women and led by a management team that is 51% black female, FluidRock dreams of a society fuelled by ethical and well- governed corporate citizens. FluidRock was founded with a vision to be the independent, expert enablers of that dream in a unique approach that is encapsulated in the company’s name, which stands for the two attributes needed most for business in the governance environment. ‘Fluid’ represents enabling operation in a regulated manner, whilst also being business-minded and pragmatic. ‘Rock’ symbolises the solid foundations of legislation and regulation that are vital in governance, as well as the strength of the long-standing relationships that are established with FluidRock clients, shareholders, and colleagues. Other values of open communication and honesty, trust and integrity, and unity are also central to the FluidRock guarantee of quality, independence, and fit-for purpose. The firm’s comprehensive services are divided into five departments, each headed by an industry expert supported by a team of enthusiastic professionals. Academy, which delivers indispensable practical courses in governance for anyone in business; Advisory, which offers evaluations, opinions, group frameworks and other strategic corporate governance advisory services; Co Sec and Minutes, in which firms are able to outsource the secretary role to FluidRock to guarantee efficiency and productivity; Compliance and Ethics services that provide added-value; and Statutory, to ensure the proper and compliant completion of all paperwork related to transactions. The superior service provided by FluidRock has been cultivated over years of shared experience as company secretaries and directors. The result is practical and strategic advice, delivered as part of a value-based, socially conscious structure with a high-performance culture in which the team is accountable to themselves, colleagues, and clients. Always operating to serve the best interests of clients, FluidRock is at the cutting-edge of innovation, taking a stakeholder- inclusive approach that ensures companies are neither under nor over-governed. The firm remains adaptable to the changing nature of its industry, yet constantly abiding by the immoveable principles of good corporate governance. Dec20026 The members of the FluidRock team are each recruited for their shared passion, values and drive towards ethics in corporate governance. Engaging in direct conversations about how to achieve this, FluidRock empowers one another through the demanding work to present a united front that seeks to benefit the firm and its clients alike. The dedication of the team has rarely been so valued as it has been in the last year, when Covid-19 and its variants disrupted South Africa with significant repercussions for its society and working culture. Many firms are focusing on boosting the mental wellness of their people through support and counselling sessions, whilst also offering the resources to ensure that their teams can operate just as safely and effectively remotely as they could do in an office. FluidRock’s expertise in navigating unprecedented adversity has been highly sought over the last year, with boards meeting more regularly to overcome the detrimental impacts of the pandemic. The firm has actually found that as a result of more frequent meetings between boards, directors and executives, relationships have strengthened to become trusting and ultimately, more productive. With these insights, FluidRock is shaping business models across South Africa to help them manage the ongoing crisis, beginning with greater stability in the relationships that build an organisation. With the development of automation and robotics systems already underway at FluidRock to handle administrative tasks that will free the team to focus on being outstanding governance professionals, the firm is enthusiastic about the future. Its strategy centres around thriving after the hard year that was 2020, and is starting with the search for opportunities to merge or acquire other companies. For FluidRock, 2021 will be an exciting year of growth for the inclusive, forward-thinking firm. Company: FluidRock Governance Group (Pty) Ltd Contact: Ronelle Kleyn Website: www.fluidrock.co.za