Evolving programme is subject to slight change
Day 1 - Tuesday 7 July 2026
08:30 Registration and exhibition hall open
09:30 Conference begins
09:35 Welcome address
Linda Ford, Chief Executive, Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland
09:45 Why ethics in governance is important now more than ever - Risk, regulation and leadership
Ethical governance is vital in today’s climate of rising risks, uncertain ecopolitical climate, and demands for accountable leadership. This session explores why ethics matter now more than ever and how they shape resilient, trustworthy organisations.
Speaker: Derek Leatherdale, Senior Geopolitical Risk Adviser, Sibylline Ltd
10:20 Ethics in cybersecurity
Cyber resilience is more than just a technology issue. Understand why cyber governance is key to becoming cyber resilient. This talk will cover:
• The Cyber Landscape
• Governing Cyber Risk
• Cyber Governance Code of Practice
• IASME Cyber Assurance Standard
• Becoming Cyber Resilient and Demonstrating Compliance
Speaker: George Quigley, Head of ICA, IASME
11:00 Refreshment break
11:20 The Future State of Entity Compliance
Sponsored by Diligent
11:55 Everyone talks about ESG - But are we talking about the same thing?
We all know what ESG stands for: Environmental, Social and Governance. But beyond the acronym, what is ESG?
Many professionals feel uncertain navigating ESG discussions - and that’s understandable. Although the concept has been in use for over 20 years, it still lacks a single agreed definition or clear boundaries. That flexibility has helped ESG evolve and gain traction, but it has also created confusion, debate, and at times, mistrust.
In this session we will get to the heart of what ESG is - and what it is not - by tracing its origins, evolution, and how it skilfully brought together a wide range of evolving concepts to forever change the worlds of business, finance and asset management. We will explore how and why ESG-related reporting and regulation has developed (occasionally in divergent directions!), and leave you better equipped to bring clarity and confidence to ESG discussions within your organisation.
Speaker: Joshua Domb, Founder and Managing Partner, Gen-R Law
12:40 The AI Wastage Problem
13:15 Lunch break
Lunch and refreshments for all, taking place in the exhibition space
14:05 Breakout sessions
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BREAKOUT 1 - Geopolitical follow up session |
This break-out session will bring forward insights into how other boards have evolved their approach to geopolitical risk considerations and provide those in strategic governance roles with practical suggestions on how they can support their boards in grappling with this agenda. Speaker: Derek Leatherdale, Senior Geopolitical Risk Adviser, Sibylline Ltd |
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BREAKOUT 2 - Getting the most out of your internal board evaluations |
Discover how to turn internal board evaluations into actionable insights that enhance performance and governance. Learn practical tips for making evaluations meaningful and driving continuous improvement. Moderator: Laura Higgins FCG, The CoSec Coach
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BREAKOUT 3 - Guilty until proven adequate: Responding to the Failure to Prevent Fraud Offence |
Join LawDeb corporate secretarial experts Nicky Lambourne and Paul Tenconi for a high-stakes, interactive exercise asking the key question regarding the Failure to Prevent Fraud offences: what do we do now? You will be presented and asked to resolve a hypothetical and evolving situation of a company undergoing a severe Failure to Prevent Fraud offence, covering adequate procedures defence and directors' duties under the Companies Act. This session will enable you to test your skills as company secretary while learning from others in a safe, hypothetical context. Speakers: Nicola Lambourne, Group Company Secretary, Law Debenture Paul Tenconi, Company Secretary Session sponsored by Law Deb |
14:40 Movement break
Head to your next session
14:45 Breakout sessions
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BREAKOUT 1 - Trust, Culture, and Connection Between Boards and Team |
Effective governance isn’t just about compliance, it’s built on trust, culture, and connection. This session explores how boards can foster transparent relationships with their executive teams, align values, and create a culture that supports ethical decision-making and strategic resilience. Speaker: Laura Higgins FCG, The CoSec Coach |
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BREAKOUT 2 - Board Reporting |
Speakers: The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland and Board Intelligence |
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BREAKOUT 3 - Sponsored breakout session |
Session sponsored by Azeus Convene |
15:20 Tea and coffee break
15:50 Breakout sessions
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BREAKOUT 1 – Mindful Exclusion |
Speakers:
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BREAKOUT 2 – Modernising Corporate Reporting |
Speaker:
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BREAKOUT 3 – Sponsored breakout session |
AI in governance: How to take the lead The question for governance teams is not whether to adopt AI, but how. This session cuts through the noise with a practical framework: the use cases that add most value, what good AI procurement looks like in practice, and how to bring your team and board with you. This session will provide delegates with: • A practical map of the AI landscape for governance teams — from shadow adoption and generic all-purpose tools to purpose-built solutions, and the trade-offs between them.
Session sponsored by Board Intelligence |
16:25 Movement break
Head back to the main auditorium
16:30 The Governance Market Survey 2026: The Reality of the Role
The governance role is evolving rapidly - but are organisations keeping pace?
Launching for the first time in partnership with the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland, the Governance Market Survey 2026 provides a unique, data-led view of how the governance profession is evolving in practice.
In this session, Jon Moores and Mariza Dimaki will share early insights from the survey, highlighting emerging themes across governance teams, structures and career trends. Drawing on responses from professionals across all levels and sectors, the session will explore the growing scope and expectations placed on governance functions, how ways of working are shifting, and whether this is being matched by structure, resource and reward.
What will be covered
• How the governance role is expanding in scope and influence
• Whether workload and expectations are outpacing resource
• The role of technology and AI in shaping the function
• What’s really happening in the governance recruitment market
• Pay, progression and recognition - are they keeping up?
• Hybrid working - what policies say vs what actually happens
• The key themes emerging from the data - and what they mean in practice
Speakers:
- Jon Moores,The Core Partnership
- Mariza Dimaki, The Core Partnership
16:55 Closing keynote - Connected Leadership Masterclass
Your digital presence is one of your most powerful tools for connection, credibility, and leadership impact - helping you reach the right people, shape the right conversations, and unlock the partnerships that drive real-world impact. This session takes a clear, practical approach to strengthening your digital presence for greater visibility, credibility, and influence.
Grounded in ImpactMatch’s work across strategy, talent, and communications, the session will explore how senior leaders use LinkedIn to accelerate impact, from building aligned networks to driving commercial and social outcomes.
Speakers:
· Leigh Smyth FRSA, Founder of ImpactMatch and Co-Founder, ActionAble
· Em Wilson FRSA
17:20 Conference close
17:30 Drinks Reception and networking