Governance Guernsey 2021

Welcome and introduction

Teresa Le Couteur MSc FCG, Chair, The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland, Guernsey Branch

Opening keynote GFSC: Charting a path beyond Zoom - International Regulatory Governance evolution and its potential impact on the Bailiwick

William Mason, Director General, Guernsey Financial Services Commission

Dynamics in the virtual boardroom

What has been the impact of virtual board and committee meetings on effective governance? Can chairs ringmaster the egos as well as when they were sitting next to them? Can relationships be as trusting, debate as robust and decisions as inclusive? What is emerging as good practice that governance professionals need to be aware of? Will boards revert back to normal when face-to-face working becomes possible? Or will they innovate to embrace a more hybrid model?

Moderator:
Tom Lancaster-King FCG, Client Director, Carey

Panelists:
Wayne Bulpitt CBE, Joint Chair, Aspida Group Limited
Jeremy Cross, Coach, Director and Author of The Good Governance Guide to Boardroom Dynamics
Joanne Peacegood, Non-Executive Director, Danske Invest PCC Limited
Richard Hemans, CFO & Company Secretary, Blue Diamond Ltd

The governance profession in 2021

Sara Drake, Chief Executive, The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland

Good governance is the key to staying compliant

In a world where it is important to “do the right thing”, specific focus is on meeting the regulatory requirements from a compliance and governance perspective in a practical manner. With so many regulations released and amended on a frequent basis, it can sometimes be difficult to keep up. Good governance is the key. Listen to Lindsay as she provides guidance on the way to move forward, and measures that can be implemented in practice.

Lindsay Fox, Founder and Managing Director at Platinum Compliance (Guernsey) Limited

Supporting employee wellbeing 

In this session, we explore the link between effective governance and the need for organisations to support employees in a hybrid or remote working environment. Is the board leading on mental health issues? How, as a governance professional, do you help the board to ensure the wellbeing of employees is adequately supported? 

Speakers:
Susie Crowder, Director, Human Capital, Grant Thornton Limited
Kirsty Wheadon, Director, Grant Thornton Limited

Investing in the wake of COVID-19 

The pandemic has accelerated changes in markets which could see the demise of the long successful traditional ‘balanced’ portfolio of equities and bonds. This session aims to address how traditional investment practices could come under threat and help you to consider how safe your and your clients’ assets truly are in an environment of higher inflation, and most importantly – how to prepare for it.

Speakers:
Lauren French, Investment Director, Ruffer LLP
Rachel Holdsworth, Private Client Investment Manager, Ruffer LLP

How can boards ensure authentic ESG?

Join our panel as they share their views on the following:

• How are we ensuring ESG claims are lived in practice?
• Do board members have the right mindset for ESG governance?
• What do boards need to do to better address ESG issues?
• How do boards ensure a long term, multi-generational (sustainable) investment horizon when backed by investors with shorter term exit plans?

Moderator:
Phil Eyre, Founder, Leaders Consultancy

Panelists:
Wayne Atkinson, Partner, Collas Crill LLP
Dr Andy Sloan, Chair, Obsidian Fund Services, Non-Executive Director, ESI Monitor; Expert Reviewer, IPCC
Ben Snook, Associate Director, Midshore Consulting Limited

Cyber risk governance – Managing change and adapting effectively

Darren Seary CISSP, CISM, CRISC, Senior Vice President, Information Security and Technology Risk Management, Northern Trust

Workshop: Mindfulness is more than a tick-box exercise for staff wellbeing

There is empirical evidence that happy staff are more productive, and the connection between staff wellbeing and the bottom line is now widely accepted. The more that leaders are their best selves, the more they will support both their staff and their business as a whole. But how can we be our best and most authentic selves? Join this session for an embodied enquiry and deepen your self-awareness.

Emma Desprès, Yoga Teacher, Author and Founder, Beinspired Yoga