Slide: What we do | The Finlay Centre for Corporate & Public Governance

There is no substitute for a culture of integrity in organizations. Compliance alone with the law is not enough. History shows that those who make a practice of skating close to the edge always wind up going over the line. A higher bar of ethics performance is necessary. That bar needs to be set and monitored in the boardroom. ~J. Richard Finlay writing in The Globe and Mail.

Sound governance is not some abstract ideal or utopian pipe dream. Nor does it occur by accident or through sudden outbreaks of altruism. It happens when leaders lead with integrity, when directors actually direct and when stakeholders demand the highest level of ethics and accountability. ~ J. Richard Finlay in testimony before the Standing Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy, Senate of Canada.

The Finlay Centre for Corporate & Public Governance is the longest continuously cited voice on modern governance standards. Our work over the course of four decades helped to build the new paradigm of ethics and accountability by which many corporations and public institutions are judged today.

The Finlay Centre was founded by J. Richard Finlay, one of the world’s most prescient voices for sound boardroom practices, sanity in CEO pay and the ethical responsibilities of trusted leaders. He coined the term stakeholder capitalism in the 1980s.

We pioneered the attributes of environmental responsibility, social purposefulness and successful governance decades before the arrival of ESG. Today we are trying to rebuild the trust that many dubious ESG practices have shattered.

We were the first to predict seismic boardroom flashpoints and downfalls and played key roles in regulatory milestones and reforms.

We’re working to advance the agenda of the new boardroom and public institution of today: diversity at the table; ethics that shine through a culture of integrity; the next chapter in stakeholder capitalism; and leadership that stands as an unrelenting champion for all stakeholders.

Our landmark work in creating what we called a culture of integrity and the ethical practices of trusted organizations has been praised, recognized and replicated around the world.

Our rich institutional memory, combined with a record of innovative thinking for tomorrow’s challenges, provide umatached resources to corporate and public sector players.

Trust is the asset that is unseen until it is shattered. When crisis hits, we know a thing or two about how to rebuild trust— especially in turbulent times.

We’re still one of the world’s most recognized voices on CEO pay and the role of boards as compensation credibility gatekeepers. Somebody has to be.

Who we are...

The Finlay Centre for Corporate & Public Governance has been illuminating the evolution of private enterprise and public trust over four decades. Our uniquely prescient voice has inspired generations of leaders, managers and stakeholders and has changed the course of governance standards in today's corporate and public sectors.

We pioneered environment, ethics, social responsibility and good governance in the boardroom decades before anyone called it ESG. J. Richard Finlay coined the term stakeholder capitalism in the 1980s.

The Centre was founded by J. Richard Finlay, one of the world's most recognized voices and longest-cited experts in the governance of major corporations and public institutions, sanity in CEO pay and the ethical performance of trusted leaders.

What we do...

For the boardroom...

We work to advance the paradigm of new governance today: diversity at the table; sanity in CEO compensation; ethics that gleam with integrity and leadership that stands as an unrelenting champion for all stakeholders.

Righting a foundering ESG...

Having pioneered ESG concepts decades ago, we know how to distinguish between the impostors of ESG and the genuine article, and how to make stakeholder capitalism live up to its promise.

For leaders who want to make a difference...

We work with leaders and gatekeepers to uphold a culture of integrity. Our advice has changed laws, regulations and public governance practices. Our counsel has amplified the voice of decisive leaders, including three prime ministers of Canada.

Preserving trust with a culture of integrity...

Trust is the asset that is unseen until it is shattered. We have been writing, speaking and advising on the attributes of trusted leadership for 40 years. When crisis hits, we know a thing or two about how to rebuild trust — especially in turbulent times.

For the media...

We've helped authors, journalists and investigative reporters on ground-breaking stories. Our work has been cited in dozens of books, scholarly papers and parliamentary proceedings.

For you...

Is there something we can do to help? Contact The Finlay Centre for Corporate & Public Governance.

Contact & Media Inquiry

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