- 13 May 2026
Over recent weeks, I have had the pleasure of spending time with members and partners across different parts of the governance community, and I have been struck by both the breadth of the profession and the consistency of the issues being discussed.
It was a real delight to attend the recent Ireland Conference and to spend time with members of the Irish governance community. The day brought together excellent speakers, insightful panel sessions and many thoughtful conversations about the issues currently shaping governance practice. I was also very grateful for the opportunity to meet more of our members in Ireland and to catch up with the Irish Branch Committee. I came away struck by the strength, warmth and ambition of the governance community there.
Our recent Charity Governance Conference was another important moment. The strong attendance reflected the importance of this area of governance and the appetite for practical insight, discussion and support. It also underlined our commitment to being more active in the charity and not-for-profit space, supporting members working across the sector and helping organisations adopt the standards established in the latest Charity Governance Code.
Strengthening governance across the globe
The issues discussed at these events reflect many of the wider conversations currently taking place across The Chartered Governance Institute globally. At the recent Global Council gathering in London, there was a strong focus on how we strengthen collaboration across divisions, share knowledge and expertise more effectively, and ensure governance professionals are equipped to operate in an increasingly international and interconnected environment.
A central part of that discussion is how professional pathways and qualifications continue to evolve while maintaining the high standards and credibility associated with Chartered status. In a global market shaped by technological change, geopolitical uncertainty and rising expectations of organisational accountability, the portability of the Chartered qualification matters. Governance professionals need to be able to carry recognised professional standards, expertise and credibility across sectors and jurisdictions.
This is not simply about professional recognition. It is about ensuring that the governance profession remains relevant, agile and future-focused, and that those working within it are equipped to support stronger decision-making, organisational resilience and public trust.
Recent regulatory findings relating to the collapse of Carillion are another reminder that governance failures can have consequences long after an organisation has failed. They underline why integrity, effective challenge, transparent reporting, strong internal controls and the right culture at the top are not abstract principles. They are the foundations of trust. For governance professionals, this is precisely why our work matters: strong governance helps organisations make better decisions, manage risk more responsibly and maintain confidence among investors, employees, regulators and the wider public.
These themes will continue at our Annual Conference in July, which will bring together governance professionals from across sectors to consider the future of governance, leadership and professional practice. They will also be explored through our Subsidiary Governance Conference in September, where the focus will be on the challenges of governing across complex group structures, jurisdictions and operating environments.
Recognising governance at its best
It is also why it is so important that we recognise and celebrate those individuals, teams and organisations demonstrating governance at its best.
That message was reinforced at ProShare’s recent Celebrating Excellence event. The programme brought together winners and commendees of the ProShare Awards to share what makes an award-winning submission, alongside sessions on corporate actions, plan design, equity and technology, employee ownership in private companies, next-generation talent, communications and reform.
One particularly valuable theme was the link between employee share ownership, investor mindset and wider organisational trust. These are not separate from governance. They are part of the same conversation about how organisations engage people, structure incentives, communicate clearly and build confidence among employees, investors and wider stakeholders.
Events like this show the value of creating space for practitioners to share what works, learn from one another and raise standards across the wider governance community. That same spirit sits at the heart of our own CGIUKI Awards.
The CGIUKI Awards 2026 are now open for entries, offering an opportunity to recognise excellence across the governance profession. For more than 20 years, the Awards have celebrated the achievements of companies, teams and individuals whose work demonstrates the value of good governance in practice. This year’s categories recognise outstanding professionals, teams, projects, service providers, rising stars, and work in areas including ESG, diversity and inclusion, reporting and disclosure.
At their best, awards are not simply about celebration. They help tell the story of a profession: what it values, what excellence looks like and why that work matters. In governance, much of that work can be quiet, careful and often unseen. It can involve helping boards ask better questions, supporting ethical decision-making, improving transparency, strengthening reporting, managing risk, or creating the conditions for more inclusive and effective leadership.
The Awards are one way of bringing that work into the light. They allow organisations to recognise the contribution of colleagues and teams, reflect on the impact of their governance work, and demonstrate the difference strong governance makes to organisational life and wider society.
Entries are open until 24 July 2026, with the ceremony taking place on 3 November 2026 in London. I hope many of you will consider putting forward the individuals, teams and projects that deserve recognition.
As we continue to strengthen the profession globally, it is important that we also celebrate excellence locally, regionally and across our wider professional community.
Good governance depends on skilled, committed and thoughtful professionals. The Awards give us a chance to recognise that contribution and to celebrate the value of governance at its best.