April 10, 2013 - The International Compliance Association (ICA) announces the launch of a brand new qualification designed for industry leaders and senior practitioners in the UK.

The ICA Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Governance, Risk & Compliance is the 'pinnacle of the ICA education regime' and has been created for time-pressed, busy professionals who are operating at, or aspiring to operate at, a leadership level. The course aims to build on existing experience by providing enhanced skills, knowledge and expertise to help individuals excel in their roles and push their careers to the next level.

With the demand for exceptional specialists working in the risk and compliance environment on the increase, the qualification is designed to provide more than just a thorough understanding of the latest issues. It aims to transform thinking.

Bill Howarth, ICA Chief Executive, has this to say about the new qualification:

"Governance. Risk. Compliance. Culture. Ethics. All of these terms are readily used by regulators, practitioners and the media. But what do they really mean in practice? This new professional postgraduate qualification translates the rhetoric into reality. We live and work in an age where transparency and integrity is everything to everyone. Stakeholders are demanding a change in approach and this new qualification is designed to equip the leaders of today and tomorrow with the knowledge and skills to make a difference in their organisation."

The qualification which is awarded in association with the University of Manchester Business School takes 9 months to complete and comprises attendance at 9 high-level masterclasses in London. Topics include 'Ethics, corporate governance & responsibility', 'How to change an organisation's culture' and 'Combating cybercrime'. Assessment is by way of a competence-based interview that maps knowledge, skills and experience against the UK National Occupational Standards of Competence.