“Character, courage and professionalism: these are some of the essential characteristics needed to be an independent member on a board of directors”. These words uttered by Alejandro Ríos, from Broseta Abogados, summarize the spirit of the debate organized by Universidad Europea de Valencia in collaboration with the Valencian Business Confederation (CEV), held at its headquarters on June 1.
Under the title “Independent board members in Valencian business: new challenges for boards of directors”, Graduate degree director at the Universidad Europea de Valencia, Rosa Sanchidrián, and Eva Turanzo, director of International Accreditation on Boards of Directors and Good Governance at the Universidad Europea de Valencia, moderated a session attended by Ricardo Miralles, director of Economy and Analysis at the CEV; Miguel Burdeos, chairman of SPB; and Juan Latorre, partner and independent board member at KPMG.
Latorre stated that, except for the Universidad Europea de Valencia and its Expert Graduate Degree in International Accreditation on Boards of Directors and Good Governance, “nobody teaches you how to be a board member”, and it is a strategic position because “it defends the company’s interests”.
Miguel Burdeos also hinted at the need for board members to have “a firm commitment and high level of knowledge in the area to be promoted by the company”.