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.

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

11:20 Refreshment Break

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) Session Title TBC

2) Session Title TBC

14:40 Movement Break

14:45 A Choice of Breakout Sessions

1) Session Title TBC

2) Session Title TBC

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