West Africa
Board Directors’ Retreat

A Retreat Built for West Africa's Boardrooms

Some directors contribute while others change the room. Tenure rarely explains the difference. Judgement, presence and the ability to challenge with precision are what sets them apart.

That level of boardroom effectiveness is built deliberately, and with the right investment.

If this is the director you are determined to become – or already are and want to develop further – we invite you to join a select cohort at the Sirdar West Africa Board Directors’ Retreat being held in Cape Town in October 2026.

Although not expected, Sirdar retains the right to amend the programme and/or sessions prior to the retreat.

A Boardroom Experience Built for Africa's Future

Sirdar Group’s immersive four-day retreat is designed specifically for experienced and aspiring West African board directors – the first of its kind held in Sub-Saharan Africa, developed for West Africa’s boardrooms, and led by Sirdar Group, Sub-Saharan Africa’s leading corporate board advisory firm.

The programme is built to develop the kind of director who:

  • Moves boards from operational oversight to long-term strategic insight
  • Exercises sound, independent judgment even under pressure and ambiguity
  • Reads the undercurrents of power, alliances and personalities – and engages with precision
  • Knows when to challenge, support, or lead
  • Influences outcomes without overstepping into management
  • Navigates the particular realities of board participation in West Africa

Participants will strengthen their capacity to operate at a distinctly higher level of board effectiveness that sees them:

  • Shape board decisions rather than just contribute to them: Move from participant to architect to bring structure, clarity and long-term perspective to a board’s most complex strategic discussions
  • Challenge without crossing governance boundaries: Ask the questions that matter, interrogate strategy with precision, and provide oversight that elevates without stepping into management
  • Lead through influence and credibility: Command genuine authority in the boardroom through insight, timing and judgment rather than through volume or position

This retreat presents an exceptional opportunity for:

  • Aspiring non-executive directors building their first board profile
  • Sitting NEDs looking to deepen strategic influence
  • Female directors strengthening boardroom presence and leadership
  • Family business owners professionalising their governance
  • CEOs preparing to step into a non-executive role
  • Company secretaries advancing board-level effectiveness
  • Senior executives of multi-lateral and development banks and private equity firms
  • Partners of law firms with board representation responsibilities

Focused
Deep-Dive Sessions

Running alongside the core curriculum, the retreat will also dedicate focused sessions to two critical governance themes particularly relevant to boards in West Africa.

Region-specific masterclass
A dedicated session will focus on the uniqueness of Western Africa board realities. We will explore the governance landscape, political dynamics, regulatory environment, and boardroom culture across key West African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, etc. This West Africa region-specific insight is not typically available through European board programmes and provides participants with highly relevant, practical knowledge at a more cost-effective price point than comparable overseas offerings.

Women’s leadership on corporate boards
A dedicated session for West African female directors, exploring power, influence and the distinct contribution that women bring to the boardroom. The session creates space for honest conversation about the realities of operating as a woman at board level in West Africa — where cultural, institutional and distinct structural factors shape the experience of female leadership in ways that warrant serious attention.

An experience that will
transform your boardroom impact

From Insight to Personal Capability

The learning goes well beyond lecture sessions and includes:

  • Immersive, boardroom-focused dialogue with fellow directors from across West Africa
  • Peer exchange with Sirdar’s partners who collectively bring over 100 years of board advisory experience
  • Dinner and social programme (because relationships and networks are built outside the boardroom)
  • Access to the Sirdar Director Network* – a private, curated network of Africa’s most effective board directors

The Director/Non-Executive Director You Become

Participants do not leave with notes; they leave with:

  • Sharper judgment – and the discipline to apply it
  • Stronger boardroom presence
  • A clear roadmap of how to be an effective and high-impact member of a board of directors
  • A network of West Africa’s most ambitious board directors
  • The confidence to be the director that every board needs

Retreat Core Essentials

  • Dates: 12–15 October 2026 (arrive Sunday 11 October)
  • Location: Cape Town, South Africa — Protea Hotel Cape Town Waterfront Breakwater Lodge
  • Format: Four-day Executive Board Directors’ Retreat – Immersive, facilitator-led executive learning, peer discussions, practical workshops and networking experiences
  • Catering: Includes daily lunch, tea and coffee during retreat sessions
  • Programme fee: USD 4,200 per participant – Includes the four-day executive retreat programme, all facilitated learning sessions, programme materials, executive networking events, Sirdar Board Certificate and 12 months’ membership of the Sirdar Directors Network (SDN)
  • Accommodation (Optional): USD 1,200 per delegate includes four night’s accommodation and daily breakfast at the Protea Hotel Cape Town Waterfront Breakwater Lodge
  • Certification: Sirdar Board Effectiveness Certificate
  • CEO or Chairperson nomination preferred but not required
  • Registration: 1 July – 31 August 2026 – Places are strictly limited to 30 delegates to ensure a highly interactive executive learning experience
  • Deposit: 30% non-refundable on registration (USD 1,260)
Delegates selecting Accommodation will also pay a 50% non-refundable accommodation deposit upon registration.The remaining programme and accommodation balances will be invoiced separately and must be settled before the retreat commences.

Our Speakers

Warwick van Breda

Chief Executive – Sirdar Group

Warwick acquired a majority stake in Sirdar in 2022, bringing a wealth of experience in law, business restructuring, and corporate governance. A former mergers specialist at a multi-national law firm, he has advised across sectors including construction, mining, manufacturing, and financial services. Warwick has held executive roles in JSE-listed companies, served on multiple boards, and successfully founded, scaled, and sold an SME in manufacturing and logistics. With deep expertise in governance, strategy, and operational leadership, he applies Sirdar’s methodology to https://facebook.comsupport high-growth businesses. He holds degrees in economics, law, and business, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Corporate Strategy.

Tim Holmes

Senior Partner

Tim joined Sirdar in 2013, bringing 26 years of experience in asset management and IT. With a passion for education, he excels at translating complex issues into actionable insights for business leaders. Tim’s extensive boardroom experience – as a shareholder, director, and manager of privately-held and family-owned businesses – gives him a deep understanding of effective governance. He leverages Sirdar’s methodology to empower boards to drive sustainable economic impact. An advocate for lifelong learning, Tim continually studies governance and business, sharing his expertise through workshops, his roles as board chairperson, and speaking engagements. He holds an MBA and a BSc Honours in Engineering (Naval Architecture).

Norma Ndhlovu

Associate

Norma joined Sirdar in March 2021, bringing over 13 years of executive recruitment experience across technology, finance, and healthcare. With a strong background in executive search, talent acquisition strategy, and succession planning, she has helped organisations connect the right leaders with their strategic goals. Her role has evolved from focusing on non-executive director appointments to supporting boards through advisory services, including board appointments, board composition, and board evaluations. She also heads up the Sirdar Director Network, connecting board-ready professionals and organisations to strengthen boardroom capability. With a passion for building meaningful connections between boards and candidates, Norma combines strategic insight, industry experience, and a strong professional network to deliver impactful solutions.

Bayo Alade-Loba

CEO and Partner of Sirdar Nigeria

Bayo is CEO and Partner of Sirdar Nigeria operating across the West Africa region. Bayo has served as a non-executive director and board committee chairperson on both East and West African private and publicly listed companies . As a former lead independent director of Flour Mills Nigeria PLC, he brings keen first hand insights into the distinct dynamics of West African boards.

Prior to joining Sirdar, Bayo had a long career as head of Sub-Saharan Africa investment banking at Credit Suisse and the International Finance Corporation, advising and raising capital for African corporations and governments. 

Secure Your Place

If this aligns with the level at which you intend to operate — or the director you are committed to developing — we would be honoured to receive your registration.

Start your Journey

Sirdar Basecamp is the ultimate membership platform for boards and directors, designed to empower you with the tools, knowledge, and support you need to excel in governance. With Sirdar Basecamp, you gain access to expertly curated resources, practical frameworks, and a vibrant community of peers who are as dedicated to excellence as you are.