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In our Forecast 2021 podcast series, we’re focused on preparing you for the year ahead by offering insights to help you better understand and manage some of the opportunities and challenges that your company might face—think policy, technology, and other big picture topics. 

This week, we begin our deep dive into ESG with a talk on the “G,” governance. Heather Horn sits down with Stephen Parker, a partner in PwC’s Governance Insights Group, to focus on governance from the CFO’s perspective, including how management can make governance more efficient and effective, and what to include about governance in ESG reporting.

Topics include:

• 0:45 - The CFO’s objectives. We begin by looking at the CFOs role in making sure that a company’s governance is as effective as it can be.  
• 7:01 - Agenda prioritization. From employee safety to cybersecurity, we look at the top current-day issues boards are dealing with. 
• 11:02 - Filling the skills gap. Stephen shares his recommendations on where to start on board composition.
• 19:30 - Transparency.  There is a balance of what is proprietary versus what is good information to share with stakeholders. Heather and Stephen discuss the challenges on deciding what to share and how to share it. 
• 23:20 - Telling your governance story. We share expectations on what should be disclosed and the five areas in which we expect to see different disclosures.   
• 29:17 - The long view. What will boards be focused on in ten years? We close with our predictions on the changing nature of communications about governance.   

Want to learn more about ESG? Check out our C-suite summary, Making sense of ESG.

Stephen Parker is a partner in PwC’s Governance Insights Center, which strives to strengthen the connection between directors, executive teams, and investors by helping them navigate the evolving governance landscape. With more than 30 years of experience, Stephen has worked with many Boards of Directors to advise on a variety of complex matters, in the context of their companies’ operations, technical accounting and SEC and financial reporting. 

Heather Horn is PwC’s National Ooffice thought leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting and financial reporting matters. She is the engaging host of PwC’s accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series, as well as periodic webcasts for the power and utilities industry. With nearly 30 years of experience, Heather’s accounting and auditing expertise includes financial instruments and rate-regulated accounting.

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