The theme of this year's conference was ‘Leading Board Development’ and an inspiring opening key note address was made by Domhnal Slattery, CEO of Avolon.

Two key discussion items in the morning session focussed on:-

• ‘Conflict in the boardroom’ led by Professor Andrew Kakabadse, Henley Business School with Emer Daly and Gary McGann joining the discussion panel; and,
• ‘Is your board getting the right information?’ led by Jennifer Sundberg, co-chief executive of Board Intelligence with Peter Swabey, Chris Hodge, and Conor Ryan taking part in the discussion.

Delegates also saw Gillian Harford present on ‘Diversity in the boardroom’ and John Farrelly give a Charities Regulator update before lunch.

After a networking lunch delegates enjoyed psychologist Aidan Kearney leading a talk on ‘Improving organisational and individual effectiveness’

As in previous years, delegates told us that the traditional breakout sessions proved very beneficial. This year’s topics included: CRO and company law, interpreting financial statements, presentation impact, the hygiene factor, financial services sector: governance risk & compliance and subsidiary governance.

The closing speaker this year was Dublin senior gaelic team manager, Jim Gavin who spoke on ‘Managing for success’.

Feedback from delegates has been very positive and the practicality and relevance of the sessions was well received.  The new surroundings for the conference and the opportunity to network with new and old governance professional colleagues was also welcomed.

We are very grateful to our sponsors on the day: Diligent, Blueprint OneWorld, Computershare, Azon Recruitment Group, Board Excellence, Board Intelligence, Brainloop, Global Shares, Independent Audit Limited, Law Debenture, Link Personnel Services, Matheson, Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, Passageways, Perivan, Relate Software, Robert Walters, Ulster University and UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.

Copies of the slide presentations used on the day are available to delegates here.

We’re looking forward to conference 2019 already!