South West 533X300 (1)

South West of England

Welcome to The Chartered Governance Institute, South West branch. We provide support to the Institute's members and students in the South West. This includes Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, South Wales and Gloucestershire.

About Us

We support Institute members and students in the South West area. This includes Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, South Wales, Gloucestershire. 

We are volunteers who work together with the team at the Institute to provide free and low cost CPD activities, local networking opportunities and activities which raise the Institute’s profile. Free subscribers and non-members who would like to learn more about the Institute are also welcome to join us. Our branch committee meets regularly to plan events and discuss new areas of activity.

If you would like to make a suggestion of what you’d like us to focus on in the coming months, or are interested in finding out more about what the committee does, please get in touch.

Upcoming events

Our branches offer a variety of events to support your professional development at every stage of your career. Whether you to want brush up on your knowledge and skills, network with peers or add to your CPD, we run sessions on a variety of topics and in a variety of formats, with contributions from experts and guest speakers across the governance community.
Subsidiary Governance 2025 Web Hero
Event

Subsidiary Governance Conference 2025

This year, the Chartered Governance Institute’s Subsidiary Governance Conference is back to explore the evolving landscape currently impacting parent and subsidiary companies. By investigating a range of geopolitical, economic, legal and regulatory issues, this event aims to better equip participants with the knowledge and strategies needed to navigate these complex governance challenges.
Subsidiaries
Conference
In Person
CPD
Governance 2025 Conference 3 4 July
Conference

2025 CGIUKI Annual Conference

Join us at our 2025 Annual Conference, ‘Navigating Governance: Adapting to an Evolving World’ on 1st and 2nd July at the Novotel Hammersmith West in London. Hundreds of governance professionals and expert speakers in London for two days of insight, discussions on best practice and debate. The CGI Annual Conference – Governance 2025 is the ideal environment to network governance professionals from across the UK and beyond. Prices will start from £250 with discounted rates available for CGI Members and Students.
Conference
In Person
CPD
London
Networking
Awards 2025 Hero
Awards 2025

CGIUKI Annual Awards 2025

The CGIUKI Annual Awards will be hosted at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London W2 2TY on Tuesday 4 November 2025 - we look forward to seeing you there.
Awards
In Person
London

Latest Blogs

FRC Image
Blog

The Institute's Response to the UK Stewardship Code Consultation

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has finished consulting on its proposed changes to the Code. The UK Stewardship Code sets a standard for how investors manage their responsibilities and aims to ensure that investment decisions drive long-term value and create positive societal outcomes.
4 March 2025
Blog
Consultation
Reporting
Corporate
Paradox Of Risk Image
Blog

The Paradox of Risk

Risk is now a mainstream topic of conversation. In the past, risk was associated primarily with fast-moving innovative businesses (and with particular events such as product launches); but the UK’s risk landscape has changed radically in the last decade.
4 March 2025
Blog
Audit and risk
Risk Management
Blog

Updated approach from the CRO on changing a financial year end date

Changing a company’s year end and the filing of the B83 sometimes leads to confusion among presenters
Blog
Cross sector

Meet the team

The Chartered Governance Institute maintains a presence in the South West of England through its local branch committee. The local branch strives to enhance the presence of the Institute within Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, South Wales, and Gloucestershire, to support members and students throughout their careers and study programmes, as qualified or aspiring governance professionals. If you are interested in joining the committee, please contact us.
Ann Blundell Web
Branch Co-Chair

Ann Blundell FCG

I have spent the majority of my working life in Financial Services - banking, fund administration, captive insurance, insurance - and currently with The Openwork Partnership. The last 16 years I’ve focussed on company secretarial and governance roles; over that time have met some interesting characters! Outside of work, massive rugby fan and worked for a few years at Twickenham.
April James Web
Branch Co-Chair

April James

April is in the process of undertaking the Institute's Qualifying Programme and is currently Trainee Company Secretary at Hargreaves Lansdown. She has 5 years of previous governance experience in the charity sector as well as voluntary governance experience with several local charities. She lives in Swindon.
Woman
Secretary

Yvonne Fisher

Yvonne has worked at Nationwide Building Society for 5 years and previously held a number of roles with financial services institutions in the City of London. She now lives in Wiltshire but is originally from Essex.
Man
Committee Member

Christopher Stoate

Oliver O'Hanlon

I have 15 years’ experience working in the charitable sector, 9 of which are in governance and corporate services. I am a Member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers Audit and Risk Committee. I am near to completing the Institute’s CG qualifying programme. I have a BA in Politics and MA in Contemporary European Politics. I live in Exeter where I enjoy dog walking in the countryside.
TLC Headshot

Terri Le Couteur FCG

Terri is a highly experienced governance and company secretarial professional with a distinguished career spanning over 30 years. With a wealth of qualifications, including Fellowship of the Chartered Governance Institute and a Masters in Corporate Governance, Terri is a recognised expert in corporate governance, compliance, and board dynamics. Now focused on providing comprehensive training, Terri equips boards, executives, and governance professionals with the tools and knowledge to excel in regulatory compliance, risk management, and effective governance practices. Renowned for delivering practical, insightful, and impactful training, Terri helps organisations enhance their governance frameworks and leadership effectiveness. Terri has 30+ year experience in various locations including the UK, Jersey, Guernsey, the Cayman, BVI and Ireland and various sectors including Banking, Funds (private equity, infrastructure, real estate, debt, traditional, etc), Trust and Private Wealth along with experience of listed entities both in the UK (AIM and full market) and other jurisdictions. Terri has acted in various governance roles including as named Company Secretary of vehicles including a leading bank and fund administrator, as Director on several client vehicles with both global leading and small firms and has acted in an advisory capacity to regulatory and professional bodies.

Contact the South West branch

For membership and study enquiries please contact the student and membership team:

For branch support and event queries please contact the branch support team