Bolder Boards: Pioneering Transformational Governance

Recent and upcoming policy and regulatory requirements (e.g. CSRD, TCFD, ISSB, and more) expand board responsibilities in the areas of sustainability, risk management, and corporate governance (e.g. with regard to data accuracy, due diligence, and more). Further, traditional business models are increasingly challenged by unprecedented global disruptions, including geopolitical instabilities, the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, global warming, and technological developments (AI). Boards may need to take a bolder approach to governance.  

According to the latest EY Europe Long-Term Value and Corporate Governance Survey, Non-Executive Directors and Chairs are not in alignment with Executive C-suite leaders when it comes to transformation capability in that Non-Execs are less confident in the ability of the organisation to drive sustainability transformation. This gap suggests a need for stronger collaboration between Boards and Management, ensuring that strategic priorities are aligned and businesses are equipped to navigate evolving market and stakeholder expectations. Boards play a critical role in shifting thinking and debunking some of the misconceptions that are still attached to putting long-term value frameworks in place. They are well-placed to challenge management thinking, scrutinise capital allocation, and insist on greater ambition to embrace sustainability as a business imperative.  

Intended to launch in 2026, the UN Global Compact Network UK is developing its ‘Bolder Boards: Pioneering Transformational Governance’ programme in partnership with Oxford University. Leveraging insights from Oxford's world-renowned faculty and cutting-edge research, this course will equip board members with knowledge and skills to help them: 

• assess their core business model from a sustainability perspective;
  understand the links of sustainability initiatives to value creation and financial performance; 
• embed sustainability in traditional governance structures; 
• anticipate environmental and social risks to build resilient organisations;
• comply with recent and upcoming policy and regulatory requirements;  
• establish governance practices to responsibly harness AI for business success.