As Jerry Greenfield departs after 47 years, Ben & Jerry’s long running tension with its corporate parent Unilever enters a new phase and highlights the complexities of subsidiary governance

Governance in media organisations faces intense pressures where trust, editorial independence and political influence collide. From the BBC’s recent turmoil to Fox News’s costly settlement, boards across the sector are under scrutiny as they navigate a landscape where governance principles come under the spotlight.

The Governance 2026 conference brings together governance professionals and experts to share practical insights, new research and evolving priorities shaping the future of governance practice.

The Charity Commission’s inquiry into the Captain Tom Foundation exposed repeated misconduct and mismanagement by Hannah and Colin Ingram‑Moore. Its report cited failures in conflict management, oversight and intellectual property arrangements, offering stark lessons for boards on independence and transparency.

Over the past six years I have had the extraordinary privilege of guiding the Institute as Chief Executive. Now I am stepping down, I can reflect on what a period of profound change it has been.

The accounting problems at WHSmith’s US business have prompted regulatory scrutiny, leadership change and a renewed focus on financial controls. What does the episode tell boards about risk, oversight and corporate reporting?

High profile exits at Manchester United and Chelsea have thrown football’s governance into sharp relief. Under intense financial and reputational pressure, unclear roles, blurred oversight and weak challenge mechanisms can destabilise clubs. A new regulator raises baseline standards, but only disciplined governance behaviour and culture can keep organisations resilient.

In this comment piece, Kako Mavalla, Founder of the Black Excellence in Governance Awards (BEGA), explores why recent legislative changes and emerging data mark a positive step towards reducing the ethnicity pay gap, while emphasising that this is only part of the solution. He also highlights the critical role governance professionals play in driving meaningful, lasting progress.

With major reforms to corporate transparency on the horizon, governance professionals are key to helping businesses stay compliant