Governance North 2026

08:30 Registration and exhibition hall open

09:30 Welcome and opening remarks

09:35 Opening Keynote: Embedding cyber resilience into organisational strategy, governance, and decision making

Speaker: Cub Llewelyn-Davies, Deputy Head of Economy and Society Resilience, National Cyber Security Centre

10:10 Governing Under Pressure: Accountability, Resilience and Trust in a Low‑Margin, High‑Risk World

In an era defined by heightened scrutiny, geopolitical uncertainty, cyber threats, financial pressures and rapidly evolving stakeholder expectations, governance leaders are being asked to navigate an increasingly complex risk landscape while maintaining organisational performance and public trust. With margins tighter and consequences greater, boards and executives must balance resilience, accountability and agility in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago.
This panel brings together senior governance, risk and leadership experts to explore how organisations can strengthen oversight, improve decision-making and build enduring trust in a world where disruption is constant and stakeholder confidence can be quickly won or lost. Panellists will examine the evolving responsibilities of boards and governance professionals, discuss lessons from recent crises, and share practical strategies for embedding resilience across people, processes and culture.

Speakers:

• Claire Blackburn, Company Secretary & Compliance Officer, Northern Gritstone
• Sarah Knight, Governance Transformation Lead, Together Money 
• Laura McNeil ACG, Deputy Company Secretary, JD Sports Fashion plc

10:55 Regulatory Update from the CGIUKI: Modernising Corporate Reporting

Speaker: Peter Swabey FCG, Policy and Research Director, The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland

11:20 Refreshment Break with networking

12:00 When everything matters: Mindful exclusion and the new rules of boardroom prioritisation

Geopolitics, AI, climate change and shifting stakeholder expectations are changing what boards need to discuss – and how they need to decide. For company secretaries, boardroom prioritisation is no longer just about agenda management. It is a strategic lever for decision-making capability.

Drawing on the latest Mindful Exclusion survey data, this session will explore how effective boards invest time differently in issues, stakeholders and the process of decision making to engage beyond the boardroom bubble. Attendees will leave with practical insights to strengthen board agendas, board packs, discussions and evaluation in uncertain times.

Speaker: Justine Lutterodt, Founder and Managing Director of the Centre for Synchronous Leadership (CSL)

12:30 From Crisis to Composure

This panel session explores how organisations can transform crisis experiences into opportunities for learning, resilience, and long-term improvement. Drawing on real-world examples, panellists will examine how significant incidents, reputational challenges, and major emergency responses can provide valuable insights for developing more robust risk assessment frameworks and effective mitigation strategies.

The discussion will also focus on the critical issue of maintaining public trust during and after a crisis. In an era of heightened scrutiny and rapid information sharing, organisations must demonstrate credibility, openness, and consistency in their communications. Panellists will share practical approaches to stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, governance, and organisational learning that help preserve trust even in the most challenging circumstances.

Moderator: Peter Swabey FCG, Director of Policy and Research, CGIUKI

Speakers:

• Angela Whetton, North West Ambulance Services
• Emma Shiner, North West Ambulance Services

13:05 Lunch Break

14:05 A Choice of Breakout Sessions

1) Who's Next? The Governance Challenge of Succession Planning

Leadership transitions are among the most consequential moments in an organisation's lifecycle. Yet many boards and executive teams remain underprepared for both planned and unexpected changes at the top.

This panel will explore the critical role governance plays in effective succession planning, examining how organisations can build leadership pipelines, mitigate risk, and ensure continuity in an increasingly uncertain environment. Panellists will discuss the challenges of identifying future leaders, balancing long-term talent development with immediate business needs, and creating succession plans that support diversity, resilience, and organisational strategy.

Through real-world experiences and candid discussion, attendees will gain practical insights into the board's responsibilities, common pitfalls to avoid, and the questions leaders should be asking today to ensure their organisation is ready for tomorrow.

2) Sponsored Breakout Session

14:40 Movement Break

14:45 A Choice of Breakout Sessions

1) Building Better Boards: Lessons and Best Practice in Trustee Recruitment

This session will explore the principles and practicalities of effective trustee recruitment, helping organisations build boards with the skills, experience and perspectives needed to deliver strong governance. Drawing on real-world examples and lessons learned, our panel will discuss how to identify board needs, attract high-quality candidates, run fair and inclusive recruitment processes, and make appointments that strengthen long-term board effectiveness.

The discussion will examine common challenges, including expanding candidate pools, improving diversity and inclusion, assessing skills and cultural fit, and balancing immediate needs with future succession planning. Attendees will gain practical insights into what good trustee recruitment looks like in today's governance landscape and leave with ideas they can apply within their own organisations.

2) Sponsored breakout session

15:20 Refreshments and Networking Break

15:50 Closing Keynote - Safe to Shine: Creating a Culture of Psychological Safety and Wellbeing

Stress, scrutiny and responsibility are part of governance, but they don’t have to become part of the culture.

In this practical and interactive closing keynote, Pam Burrows explores the science of stress and burnout, the particular pressures faced by governance professionals, and the everyday habits that create an environment where people feel safe to be honest, ask for help, challenge appropriately and raise concerns.

You’ll discover how to recognise your own stress red flags, manage pressure, switch off more effectively and use the C.A.R.E. Wellbeing Model to build psychological safety and wellbeing for yourself, your team and your organisation.

You’ll leave with practical tools, fresh thinking and actions you can put into practice straight away, helping create a culture where people feel safe, stay well and have the opportunity to shine.

Speaker: Pam Burrows, Keynote Speaker

16:55 Closing Remarks

17:00 Drinks Reception sponsored by MUFG Corporate Markets