--- title: Corporate Governance Support | HighWater Cayman description: HighWater Cayman supports independent directors with corporate governance administration in the alternative investment industry. --- [Skip to content](https://www.highwater.ky/corporate-governance#main-content) [![HighWater Logo](https://www.highwater.ky/hubfs/august-2023/highwater-w.svg)](https://www.highwater.ky/../?hsLang=en) ![mav icon](https://www.highwater.ky/hubfs/august-2023/nav.svg) ![close mav icon](https://www.highwater.ky/hubfs/august-2023/close.svg) - [HOME](https://www.highwater.ky?hsLang=en) - [ABOUT](https://www.highwater.ky/about?hsLang=en) - SERVICES - [DISTRESSED FUNDS](https://www.highwater.ky/distressed-funds?hsLang=en) - [INVESTMENT MANAGERS](https://www.highwater.ky/investment-managers?hsLang=en) - [ANCILLARY SERVICES](https://www.highwater.ky/ancillary-services?hsLang=en) - THE TEAM - [INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS](https://www.highwater.ky/theteam?hsLang=en) - [SUPPORT TEAM](https://www.highwater.ky/support-team?hsLang=en) - [CORPORATE GOVERNANCE](https://www.highwater.ky/corporate-governance) - [CONTACT US](https://www.highwater.ky/contact?hsLang=en) # Corporate Governance High quality, independent directors are increasingly considered “value added” not just by investors but also by regulators, prime brokers, service providers and tax consultants, all of whom expect the Board of Directors to provide substantive and meaningful oversight and guidance. ### Directors You Can Trust ## Corporate Governance The philosophy that underpins everything the independent directors do is based on putting reputation ahead of earnings: they limit relationship numbers such that they are able to perform all key functions personally, and are always available to clients.  As a result, there are natural limits to the number of directorships that directors can take on. The independent directors' focus is on maintaining a manageable portfolio of high-quality client relationships where they can be actively engaged, build mutual trust, add value to the process, represent investor interests and manage their own risk effectively. The independent directors supported by HighWater have a straightforward, asset-based fee structure whereby director services are provided at an annual fixed fee based on assets at the start of the year and with no incremental fees for meetings, calls, time to travel or ad hoc written resolutions taken between board meetings. The alternative investment industry is experiencing: Increased regulatory and investor emphasis on corporate governance A more thorough assessment of actual and perceived conflicts of interests including the independence of directors from other service providers of the fund An enhanced focus on the capacity of directors and their ability to commit to the fund, especially in times of stress A rising expectation that directors will be actively engaged with the fund, holding regular board meetings and interacting with the investment manager and service providers of the fund A growing focus on the relevant background, experience, independence, availability and commitment of directors Increased use of complex structures requiring deeper understanding and technical experience A tsunami of regulations, increasingly complex liquidations and industry-changing litigation Appointing credible, knowledgeable and engaged directors is an important decision for a fund and its manager. Taking on the important responsibilities of a director is not a commodity service and not all directors are the same. The independent directors supported by HighWater are in a class of their own. ## See what we can do for your company [Get in touch](https://www.highwater.ky/contact?hsLang=en) Learn more about the independent directors, the services HighWater provides and how we can help.  [Get in touch](https://www.highwater.ky/contact?hsLang=en) ###### Independent Directors ## Meet the Directors [View our full team](https://www.highwater.ky/theteam?hsLang=en) The independent directors supported by HighWater bring the necessary diverse management and advisory experience gained from decades of work in the trenches – including finance, due diligence, investment management, fund administration, legal, audit and fund regulation backgrounds. All of the directors have held senior and high profile roles in the fund industry. ![Gary Linford](https://www.highwater.ky/hubfs/august-2023/directors/director-1.jpg) **Gary Linford Founder** ![Yolanda Banks McCoy of HighWater](https://www.highwater.ky/hubfs/Yolanda-1.jpeg) **Yolanda Banks McCoy Partner** ![Stacey Kirkconnell of HighWater](https://www.highwater.ky/hubfs/Stacey-1.jpeg) **Stacey Kirkconnell Partner** ![Mark Fagan of HighWater](https://www.highwater.ky/hubfs/Mark-1-1.jpeg) **Mark Fagan Partner** ![Nick Tappin of HighWater](https://www.highwater.ky/hubfs/august-2023/directors/director-9.jpg) **Nick Tappin Director** ![Matt Auriemma](https://www.highwater.ky/hubfs/august-2023/directors/director-8.jpg) **Matt Auriemma Director** ![Todd Groome of HighWater](https://www.highwater.ky/hubfs/august-2023/directors/director-6.jpg) **Todd Groome Director** ![John Lewis](https://www.highwater.ky/hubfs/august-2023/directors/director-4.jpg) **John Lewis Director** ![Mike Anderson](https://www.highwater.ky/hubfs/Mike%20Anderson.png) **Mike Anderson** ![Steve Ali of HighWater](https://www.highwater.ky/hubfs/1W8A9039-1-1.jpeg) **Steve Ali** ![Sandra ](https://www.highwater.ky/hubfs/1W8A8961%20Sandy-1.jpeg) **Sandra "Sandy" Cram** ## What we do ![HW-66-1](https://www.highwater.ky/hubfs/Team%20Photos/HW-66-1.jpg) **Independent Directors** Institutional investors should require independent directors who have relevant industry expertise and who will fulfill their fiduciary duties in the best interests of the fund and its investors. In an industry of growing complexity and increased regulation, investors and managers seek directors who will make a genuine contribution and not shy away from difficult decisions. [Find out more](https://www.highwater.ky/director-services?hsLang=en) ![highwater-team-sq](https://www.highwater.ky/hubfs/Team%20Photos/highwater-team-sq.png) **Distressed Funds** Distressed funds can find themselves without the appropriate independent board of directors to guide them through a restructuring process, an orderly realisation of assets, or a voluntary liquidation. [Find out more](https://www.highwater.ky/distressed-funds?hsLang=en) ![HW-82-1](https://www.highwater.ky/hubfs/Team%20Photos/HW-82-1.jpg) **Investment Managers** As a stepping stone to setting up a permanent office, we assist investment fund managers to establish a physical presence in the Cayman Islands, working closely with onshore legal counsel, tax and regulatory advisors. [Find out more](https://www.highwater.ky/investment-managers?hsLang=en) ![highwater-support](https://www.highwater.ky/hubfs/Team%20Photos/highwater-support.jpg) **Ancillary Services** HighWater supports the independent directors by offering a range of ancillary services to the alternative investment funds industry. [Find out more](https://www.highwater.ky/ancillary-services?hsLang=en) ![highwater-w](https://www.highwater.ky/hubfs/august-2023/highwater-w.svg) ###### Address BritCay House, 2nd Floor, 236 Eastern Avenue, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands ###### Services - [Distressed Funds](https://www.highwater.ky/distressed-funds) - [Investment Managers](https://www.highwater.ky/investment-managers) - [Ancillary Services](https://www.highwater.ky/ancillary-services) ###### Useful Resources - [Independent Directors](https://www.highwater.ky/director-services) - [Meet the Directors](https://www.highwater.ky/theteam) - [Support Team](https://www.highwater.ky/support-team) ###### Contact Us ![phone](https://www.highwater.ky/hubfs/august-2023/phone.svg)[1-345-640-2279](tel:+%201%20345%20640%202279) ![email](https://www.highwater.ky/hubfs/august-2023/email.svg)[info@highwater.ky](mailto:info@highwater.ky) © 2026 HighWater. 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