Directors’ Institute Finland raises awareness and carries out its purpose by influencing, education and networking. In partnership with other professional organizations and experts, Directors’ Institute Finland (DIF) contributes to the development of the professional capabilities of its members, and thus enhances its position as a leader in the national debate on corporate governance.
DIF has defined The Cornerstones of Good Board Work.
Purpose statement
DIF’s Purpose statement summarizes the focus and role of the association in society:
- DIF advances its members’ abilities to work in company boards.
- Good board work enhances the competitiveness of companies.
- The society needs responsible and successful companies.
Develop. Network. Influence.
Principles and values of the association
Directors’ Institute Finland acts by:
- Influencing: position-taking and expressing important issues relating to corporate board responsibilities and governance
- Developing: providing tools for our members to improve their professional skills and expertise
- Networking: providing opportunities for our members to meet each other and connect with other professional associations and organizations.
The values of the association are based on integrity, enhancing shareholder-value and good corporate governance.
Advocacy
DIF gives constantly statements and requested responses for government departments on national legislation, yet also for EU and European Commission. DIF utilizes and develops the knowledge and experience of its members in several annual surveys.
Members
DIF is primarily an association of people with responsibilities in enterprise board work. A person who acts as a member of the Board of Directors in a listed company or other significant company operating on market terms can be accepted as a member.
Other persons with sufficient knowledge, skills, and experience directly related to board work may also be accepted as members. Excellent examples are CEOs, CFOs or general counsels of a listed company, or if they have other relevant experience related to board work and good corporate governance.
Most DIF members operate actively as a Member or Chair of the Board in companies listed in Nasdaq Helsinki and Nasdaq First North, and also in several notable non-listed companies.
DIF has approximately 750 members, and 32 % of them are female. In 2019 the percentage of new female members was 42.
In autumn 2020 circa 33 % of the board seats in Finnish listed companies are held by DIF members. Additionally 28 % of the Finnish listed company CEOs, and 36 % of the Chair of the Boards are DIF members.
DIF has four corporate members: Finnish pension insurance companies Ilmarinen, Varma and Elo, and state-owned investment company Solidium Ltd.
Special Partners
DIF does constant co-operation with Special Partner Companies, that represent broad areas of expertise related to consulting, economy, finance, human resources, insurance, legal services, public relations, and remuneration. Among others, our special partners include all the Big Four accounting firms: Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Communications and Publishing
DIF and it’s subsidiary Boardview Ltd publishes Boardview Magazine, which has been issued twice a year since 2012. The magazine offers special insights, wide articles, interviews and columns for board work themes provided by Specialist and Theme Partners and DIF members.
DIF website contains theme articles, blogs and topical news covering inclusively the purpose of the association. DIF maintains Databank in which the Special Partners offer wide information sections deepening articles. The Databank is accessible only for members. However, a summary of each topic is open for free access.
Media Kit 2024 of Boardview Magazine
ecoDa
Directors’ Institute Finland is active member association of ecoDa, the European Confederation of Directors’ Associations.
Organization
The organization of the association consists of the board, board committees, general secretary and the office.
The Board
Jussi Koskinen (Chair of the Board)
Eeva Ahdekivi
Hanna-Maria Heikkinen
Nora Hortling
Harri Pärssinen
Ritva Sotamaa
Ville Voipio
Office Personnel
Leena Linnainmaa, General Secretary, +358 50 356 1183, leena.linnainmaa(a)dif.fi
Maija Hiiri, Office Manager, +358 400 48 55 48, maija.hiiri(a)dif.fi
Tuisku Pirttimäki, Communications Specialist, +358 50 520 6450, tuisku.pirttimaki(a)dif.fi