The King IV Report on Corporate Governance is a globally recognized framework developed in South Africa to guide both public and private sector organizations in establishing and maintaining sound governance practices. Building on its predecessors (King I, II, and III), King IV moves beyond a rules-based approach and embraces principles-based governance, placing a strong emphasis on outcomes such as ethical culture, good performance, effective control, and legitimacy.

One of the defining features of King IV is its focus on integrated thinking and sustainable value creation, encouraging organizations to consider the interconnectedness of strategy, risk, performance, and sustainability. The Code is built on 17 principles that apply to all organizations, with sector-specific supplements for greater relevance.

King IV introduces the concept of "apply and explain", requiring organizations not just to adopt its principles, but to demonstrate how these principles are applied in practice. This encourages greater transparency and accountability in how decisions are made and how value is delivered to stakeholders over the short, medium, and long term.

At the Institute, we support organizations in understanding and implementing the King IV Code through training, assessments, and advisory services. Whether you're a board member, executive, or governance professional, our goal is to help you align your organization with globally recognized best practices that drive trust, resilience, and long-term success.