- 30 October 2025
Over the past few weeks, I have had the privilege of meeting many members of our governance community from those attending Governance North in Manchester, to finalists at the Black Excellence Awards, and colleagues at the Worshipful Company of Chartered Secretaries. Each event, in its own way, has reinforced both the strength and the diversity of our profession.
What stood out was the consistency of what people told me: we must do more to promote and celebrate the governance professional and the value they bring to every organisation. Whether in listed companies, SMEs, charities, public bodies or start-ups, governance professionals are the backbone of responsible business. The steadying influence that builds trust, upholds ethics and ensures accountability.
Listening to your feedback so far, it is clear that visibility matters. We need to keep levelling the playing field, showcasing role models from every background, and inspiring the next generation to understand what being a governance professional means and why it matters.
Charity Governance Code
That same commitment to good governance and practical support underpins our work on the Charity Governance Code, which has been refreshed and is published today, Friday 31 October. The Institute sits on the steering group responsible for developing and maintaining the Code, ensuring that it continues to provide a strong, practical framework for boards and trustees. Alongside the revised Code, we will be releasing an Institute toolkit to help charities and governance professionals embed the principles effectively and confidently.
These conversations, in Manchester, London and across our branches, remind me how vital it is that we continue to champion excellence, share insight and create a genuine home for everyone in governance.
If you have ideas on how we can further support and promote the profession, please take our survey before it closes on Sunday. Together, we can ensure governance continues to be recognised as the powerful force for integrity, trust and better decision-making.