How you can use your law or business degree to start your career in governance.

From a visit to Uganda and Kenya, the Institute’s CEO Linda Ford reflects on how governance professionals are connecting across borders, and why strong governance must come before AI. Meetings with members, graduates and business leaders underline a shared purpose, and a growing recognition of governance as a strategic discipline in an increasingly complex world.

Over the past six years I have had the extraordinary privilege of guiding the Institute as Chief Executive. Now I am stepping down, I can reflect on what a period of profound change it has been.

On 1 May 2025, the prestigious CGIUKI Annual Lecture was held at the London Business School. The lecture brought together senior governance professionals including the Chartered Governance Institute’s Global Council, the Institute’s board, and distinguished friends of the Institute to explore one of the most vital qualities in board leadership: independent judgement. The discussion was led by our esteemed speaker Sir Andrew Likierman.

This year’s lecture emphasised the significance of experienced and confident leadership, informed and inquisitive boards, and a culture of openness.

New CGIUKI guidance provides advice on how governance professionals can provide a new director with the information they need to be effective in their role.

The AI summit taking place in Bletchley Park will tackle questions on how to mitigate the risks posed by AI development and the balance needed to encourage innovation while regulating to avoid potential harms.

Over the past decade, the National Governance Association (NGA) has been encouraging academy trusts to look beyond the school sector and embrace their place in the charity sector, absorbing the best of its practice and its debates.

Governance is more than codes and compliance, it is a global community, and I want every member to feel connected, engaged and heard as we shape the profession together