Agenda - Day One

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 Governance Market Survey 2026: The Reality of the Role

Speakers:

Jon Moores, Founder and Managing Director, Core Partnership
Mariza Dimaki, Director & Recruitment Partner, Core Partnership

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

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

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

BREAKOUT 3 - Sponsored breakout session

Topic to be confirmed

Session sponsored by Law Deb

14:40 Movement break

Head to your next session

14:45 Breakout sessions

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

BREAKOUT 2 - Updates from the CGI

Speaker: The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland

BREAKOUT 3 - Sponsored breakout session

More information to follow

15:20 Tea and coffee break

15:50 Breakout sessions

BREAKOUT 1 – Cultivating Leadership Pipelines in a Changing Governance Landscape

Discover how to build leadership pipelines that strengthen governance amid regulatory change and evolving risks. Learn strategies to align future leaders with integrity and resilience.

Moderator: Terri Le Couteur FCG, Founder, TLC Governance

BREAKOUT 2 – Regulatory follow‑on session with Q&A

BREAKOUT 3 – Sponsored breakout session

Topic to be confirmed

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