Head of Governance

Company Description

The Shared Performance Centre is the heartbeat of a fast-growing, multinational group that has been driving innovation across logistics, technology, and finance for over 15 years. With a workforce of more than 2,000 talented professionals worldwide, the business has built its reputation on operational excellence, innovation, and thrives drive to deliver results across every business it touches.

As the central hub of performance, the Shared Performance Centre will unify and elevate how we operate across all subsidiaries, bringing together data, strategy, and execution under one roof. It’s where insight meets action, where financial precision fuels commercial success, and where technology accelerates growth.

Role Overview

The Head of Governance will lead the design and implementation of governance frameworks across the group, lead the governance & compliance committee, ensuring robust compliance, transparency, and accountability across all entities. Operating within the newly formed Shared Services arm, this role will be critical in standardising policies, processes, and oversight mechanisms across multiple jurisdictions (UAE, Africa, Europe).

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain group-wide governance policies, procedures, and controls.
• Standardise frameworks across Shared Services (legal, compliance, governance) and all operating entities.
• Review of AOA for all companies across multiple jurisdictions, aligning with the group's logic.
• Establish clear escalation protocols, approval thresholds, DOA, and reporting mechanisms.
• Act as secretary for the board and governance committees, ensuring agendas, minutes, and actions are captured and followed through.
• Provide directors and senior executives with timely advice and training on governance obligations.
• Define the board of directors' structure, power and reserved matters requiring shareholder approval.
• Ensure shareholder and board communications are well-managed and aligned with governance requirements.
• Compliance & Regulation
• Monitor compliance with corporate laws, regulatory requirements, and codes of conduct across all jurisdictions (UAE, Africa, Europe)
• Oversee statutory filings, registers, local governance, and disclosures at the group level.
• Align governance with enterprise risk management frameworks, ensuring material risks are escalated and addressed.
• Support the Group CFO during acquisitions, leading governance elements of due diligence and post-merger integration.
• Champion a culture of accountability and proactive risk identification across the group.
• Act as the central point of contact for regulators and external governance bodies.
• Partner with internal leaders (CEO, CFO, MDs of entities) to ensure governance strengthens operations rather than constrains them.
• Support shareholder governance processes, including reserved matters and compliance approvals.
• Regularly review governance processes to identify gaps and inefficiencies, benchmarking against best practice.
• Deliver governance awareness and training programmes for managers and leaders.
• Foster a culture of transparency, integrity, and compliance throughout the group.
  
  

Role Requirements

• Experience: Minimum 12+ years in governance, compliance, legal, or risk leadership, ideally within a multi-entity group structure (logistics, commodity, supply chain, or SaaS industries preferred).
• M&A Exposure: Demonstrated experience managing governance in complex acquisitions, integrations, or restructures.
• Knowledge: Strong understanding of corporate governance codes, international compliance frameworks, and company law across UAE, Africa, and Europe.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at board level.
• Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving ability.
• Balance of commercial pragmatism and regulatory rigor.
• Proven leadership and ability to embed governance culture across organisations.
• Degree in Law, Business, Governance, or related discipline.
• Professional certification strongly preferred (e.g., ICSA/CGI, ICA, ACCA).
• Personal Attributes: High integrity, discretion, and resilience, with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, international environment.