Overview
Be sure to pencil 1st and 2nd July in your diary, to join us, 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 £300 with discounted rates available for CGI Members and Students.
Conference prices from 1 March 2025 (ex. VAT)
Non-Member - 1 day ticket £550 | 2 day ticket £925
Professional subscriber- 1 day ticket £450 | 2 day ticket £800
Member - 1 day ticket £375 | 2 day ticket £650
Not for Profit - 1 day ticket £300 | 2 day ticket £450
Student - 1 day ticket £250 | 2 day ticket £400
Preferential Room rates
A number of rooms have been reserved for CGIUKI delegates at the Novotel London West. Rate details can be found below. Please note these are limited so do book at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.
House Rooms on the 30th June at £309.00 for single occupancy
House Rooms on the 1st July at £309.00 for single occupancy
House Rooms on the 2nd July at £309.00 for single occupancy
The rate is inclusive of Breakfast and VAT
Supplement for double occupancy is £15.00 per person
Guest can book with code CGIANNUAL with the hotel reservations team.
Email: H0737-re@accor.com
Tel: 0208 741 1555
You can also look at alternative accommodation using the link below:
Delegate Hotels - Annual Conference
For any related enquiries please contact us at events@cgi.org.uk, or call us at +44 (0)20 7580 4741
Programme
1 July 2025
8.30 Registration and exhibition hall open
9.30 Conference begins
9.35 Welcome address
- Sara Drake, Chief Executive, Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland
09:45 Keynote address - Does growth trump governance
In an era marked by rapid geopolitical shifts and economic uncertainties, the balance between growth and governance has never been more critical. This session will explore the complex dynamics of global political risks and their practical impacts on businesses and policymakers.
10:20 Looking ahead: Corporate governance reform
The Chartered Governance Institute UKI’s Policy & Research Director, Peter Swabey FCG will discuss the latest developments in corporate governance and other significant changes afoot.
11.00 Refreshment break
11:30 Navigating governance risk
This session will delve into the critical aspects of governance risk, focusing on how organisations can effectively manage and mitigate risks through robust governance frameworks. Governance risk encompasses the potential threats to an organisation's ability to achieve its objectives due to inadequate or failed governance structures, policies, and processes.
12:10 Be prepared: Ensuring stability in the face of cyber and global risks
Cyber-attacks are the most frequently cited risks among leaders operating in the UK and Ireland. This session sets out how geopolitical threats – both financial and operational – present risks to stability and will highlight the importance of resilience, diagnosis, and preparedness.
12.45 Lunchtime lowdown
A five-minute recap on this morning sessions
12.50 Lunch break
14.00 Breakout sessions
| 1 - Strategic thinking skills |
Learn to think strategically, spot opportunities, and tackle challenges head-on. This session will enable you to sharpen your skills, improve your confidence and elevate your professional standing. |
| 2 - All change at Companies House |
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act will radically change the way that Companies House works. This session will explain how recent changes to UK company law will affect your organisation. |
| 3 - Sponsor session |
14.35 Movement break
14.40 Breakout sessions
| 1 - Optimising board behavioural dynamics |
Board behavioural dynamics is the board’s ability to come together effectively as a collective decision-making body. Together University of Exeter Business School and Henley Business School have conducted research and in this breakout session will discuss and share their findings and how you can enable the board to act as a collective body. |
| 2 - Effective board comms |
This session will provide tips and insights to help your executive board understand and enhance board papers, agenda setting, board induction packs and manage the expectations of the board. |
| 3 - Sponsor session |
15.15 Tea and coffee break
15.45 Breakout sessions
| 1 - Ignite passion and inspire growth: Crafting company values that shape your culture |
Leeds Beckett University and the Worshipful Company of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators have conducted research into the ‘Value of Culture in Governance’. |
| 2 - AI business models: How to translate the ideas into reality |
AI has evolved from a futuristic concept to a crucial aspect of modern technology. Businesses across various industries harness AI’s power to enhance processes, make informed decisions, and create innovative products and services. However, the journey from an AI idea to its successful implementation is complex and multifaceted. |
| 3 - Sponsor session |
16.20 Movement break
16.25 Motivational session
16.55 Conference close
17.00 Drinks reception
2 July 2025
8.30 Registration and exhibition hall open
9.30 Conference begins
9.40 AI and regulation: Shaping the future
As AI continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, the need for robust and adaptive regulatory measures becomes increasingly critical. This opening address will look at AI development, ethics, law, and policy and discuss the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
10.20 Integrating culture after crisis
Over the last year we ran a series of in-depth workshops exploring trustworthiness. This session shares the findings, and how those in corporate governance can assist in fostering a culture of trustworthiness and purpose.
10.55 Tea and coffee break
11.25 Doing good, whilst doing business: The future of ESG
With new regulatory and legislative updates coming into action in 2025, criticism surrounding ESG initiatives and reporting continues to be a prevalent topic amongst governance professionals.
This session will discuss the challenges and ongoing debate surrounding the implementation and effectiveness of ESG policy, such as a lack of standardisation, complexity and achievability, and greenwashing.
12.05 Generational diversity and workplace dynamics
Our workplaces are more diverse than before, with up to five generations types, working alongside one another each with their own nuances, which can leave us scratching our heads and wondering, how we can work better together by embracing these differences.
12.45 Lunchtime lowdown
A five-minute recap on this morning sessions.
12.50 Lunch break
13.40 Breakout sessions
| 1 - Preparing your framework: Internal controls and risk management |
From 1 January 2026, companies will have to provide significantly more information about their internal controls, in order to comply with the new Provision 29, in the Corporate Governance Code. This session looks at the changes that companies will need to understand. should report on and what that means in practice for boards and their organisations. |
| 2 - The new Charity Governance Code: What's changed and why it matters |
Several significant developments are expected to impact the charity sector in 2025. This session explores the proposed and forthcoming changes to the Charity Governance Code and will also look at reporting. |
| 3 - Sponsor session |
14.15 Movement break
14.20 Breakout sessions
| 1 - The Chartered Secretaries’ Charitable Trust |
The Chartered Secretaries’ Charitable Trust was established for the benefit of current and former members, graduates, students and employees of The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland and for the promotion of good governance. More details on the session from the Trust and their trustees will be announced soon. |
| 2 - Building and cultivating a culture prepared for AI |
Incorporating AI into core operations has become imperative for organisations navigating the ever-evolving business and technology landscape. Adopting new technologies is not the only aspect of an AI-first culture. It involves completely changing the organisation's mindset, procedures, and tactics to fully capitalise on AI's amazing potential. It requires an effective AI strategy, and this session explores how. |
| 3 - Social Media Governance - Harnessing your social media risk and opportunity |
Social media has become an essential business tool. Most organisations have strong controls in place for email, but few apply the same rigour to new methods such as enterprise social networks and social media. This session explores what good looks like. |
14.55 Tea and coffee break
15.25 Breakout sessions
| 1 - Sustainability and Beyond: Non-Financial Reporting |
There is an increased interest in nonfinancial reporting on the part of investment professionals, with environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosures contributing more to decision-making. Join this session to learn more and plan your next steps. |
| 2 - Encouraging challenges in the boardroom |
This session looks at giving individuals the tools and confidence to speak up, deal with difficult board members and how to be more impactful in board meetings. |
| 3 - Sponsor session |
16.00 Movement break
16.05 Closing Keynote - Mastering the art of negotiating with difficult people
In this closing motivational talk learn proven and practical strategies on how to better navigate difficult people and situations so you can successfully relate to others using non-defensive communication strategies.
16.40 Closing remarks
Venue
Novotel London West,
Hotel & Convention Centre,
One Shortlands, Hammersmith
London
W6 8DR
How to find the venue
We recommend planning your journey in advance and checking for any travel disruptions before you leave.
London Underground
Hammersmith London Underground station operates on four London Underground lines - the Circle line, the Hammersmith & City line, the District line and Piccadilly line.
The Novotel London West is around a 8-10 walk away from the stations.
If you are coming from the District & Piccadilly Line Station:
Exit through the main entrance of the station (Hammersmith Broadway) and take a right. You will pass the bus station on your right-hand side before reaching the pelican crossing in front of the L’Oreal building and a large, electronic advertising sign. Take the crossing to the island in the middle of the road and upon reaching the other side of the road, keep going straight down Hammersmith Road. Turn first right, into Shortlands, and Novotel London West is on your right. Entrance to the Conference Centre is on the ground floor, down the right-hand side of the main hotel entrance.
If coming from the Hammersmith & City and Circle Line Station:
Exit through the main entrance of the station and head towards the District & Piccadilly Line station. You will need to cross two sets of pelican crossings. Instead of walking into the station, walk past it keeping the station on your right hand side. You will also pass the bus station on your right-hand side before reaching the pelican crossing in front of the L’Oreal building and a large, electronic advertising sign. Take the crossing to the island in the middle of the road and upon reaching the other side of the road, keep going straight down Hammersmith Road. Turn first right, into Shortlands, and Novotel London West is on your right. Entrance to the Conference Centre is on the ground floor, down the right-hand side of the main hotel entrance.
National Rail
Approximate journey times from London’s main National Rail Terminus.
- Charing Cross – 35 minutes
- Euston – 40 minutes
- Kings Cross/ St Pancras International – 30 minutes
- Liverpool Street – 45 minutes
- Marylebone – 35 minutes
- Paddington – 20 minutes
- Victoria – 30 minutes
- Waterloo – 40 minutes
Driving
The Novotel London West has an on-site car park with over 200 spaces operating on a first come, first served basis. The parking charge is £3.50 per hour (£26 for the day) for non-residents or £1.50 per hour for residents.
The venue is located in the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), please visit https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle/ to check whether your vehicle is subject to ULEZ charge.
The venue is not in the congestion charging zone, however please do check if you will travel through it.
Coming from the airport
London Heathrow Airport is directly accessible via the London Underground on the Piccadilly Line to/from Hammersmith.
London Gatwick Airport can be reached by Victoria Station and then taking the Underground District Line from Hammersmith.
Taxis
Black cabs serve the area along with app-based taxi services such as Uber and Bolt.
Where to stay
The Novotel London West has a special rate available for those attending the conference. A code will be provided in your email confirmation, once you have booked your place at the conference.
If you are looking for alternative accommodation, we do not recommend places to stay as our attendees will have different budgets and preferences, therefore we recommend using sites such as booking.com or laterooms.com.
