In this comment piece, Rebecca Paterson, Governance Lead at HEARTS Academy Trust in Essex, explores why applying for and receiving a bursary to undertake a CGI qualification improved outcomes for both her career and her trust.

How you can use your law or business degree to start your career in governance.

From a visit to Uganda and Kenya, the Institute’s CEO Linda Ford reflects on how governance professionals are connecting across borders, and why strong governance must come before AI. Meetings with members, graduates and business leaders underline a shared purpose, and a growing recognition of governance as a strategic discipline in an increasingly complex world.

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.

Uncertainty has brought governance into the foreground. Experience from Mauritius and the UK shows why strong governance, built on professional capability and leadership, is essential to trust, confidence and long-term success.

In this comment piece, Sejal Rabone FRSA, Governance Professional at Children First Academy Trust, explains how gaining a deeper understanding of academy trust governance through training and experience helped her become more strategic, improve governance practices, and support better outcomes for pupils.

Neill McWilliams, Governance Programmes Director Leader at KCB Global, reflects on forty years of supporting governance professionals and outlines how a new partnership with Belstar Training Services will expand access to high‑quality governance education in Mauritius.

On 1 May 2025, the prestigious CGIUKI Annual Lecture was held at the London Business School. The lecture brought together senior governance professionals including the Chartered Governance Institute’s Global Council, the Institute’s board, and distinguished friends of the Institute to explore one of the most vital qualities in board leadership: independent judgement. The discussion was led by our esteemed speaker Sir Andrew Likierman.

This year’s lecture emphasised the significance of experienced and confident leadership, informed and inquisitive boards, and a culture of openness.