Cybersecurity has become a boardroom imperative, not just an IT concern. In this episode of Governance Watch, Dr. Ruth Wandhofer explains why recent high-profile attacks signal a new era of risk and why boards must act now. We explore how AI is powering sophisticated cyber threats, why perimeter defense is outdated, and what it takes to shift toward a proactive “predict, prevent, and defeat” strategy. From understanding your most valuable data to managing third-party risk and challenging vendor promises, this conversation offers practical steps for directors and senior leaders to strengthen resilience and protect business continuity. 

In this episode of Governance Watch, we explore four major regulatory and compliance developments that UK companies and governance professionals need to act on now.

🔹 Failure to Prevent Fraud
A new corporate criminal offence under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 came into force on September 1st. Companies can now be held liable for fraud committed by employees or agents unless they have a robust fraud prevention framework in place.

🔹 Sustainability Reporting Overhaul
The UK is moving toward adopting ISSB standards (S1 and S2), with UK Sustainability Reporting Standards (UK SRS) expected by year-end. Meanwhile, the EU is revising its ESRS to reduce complexity—impacting UK companies with European operations.

🔹 Director Identity Verification
From November 18th, Companies House will require identity verification for all new directors, LLP members, and persons with significant control (PSCs), with a 12-month transition period for existing individuals. This aims to improve transparency and reduce fraud.

🔹 Modern Slavery Reporting Guidance
New government guidance introduces a two-tier framework to help companies benchmark and improve their modern slavery compliance. While not mandatory, it’s a valuable tool for risk management and reputational protection.

🎙️ Featuring expert insights from Neil Donovan, Becky Clissmann, and Will Chalk of Ashurst, this episode offers practical advice and strategic context to help boards, compliance teams, and governance professionals navigate evolving regulatory landscapes. 

In this episode of Governance Watch, Board Agenda editor Gavin Hinks is joined by White & Case partners Lachlan Low and Di Yu to explore the most pressing corporate governance developments for 2025. The discussion covers major regulatory changes in Europe, including the revised Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), and their implications for companies across the UK, EU, and beyond.

The episode also examines the Investment Association’s new remuneration guidelines, shifting expectations around executive pay, and the evolving landscape of AI governance and boardroom responsibilities. Additionally, the guests delve into proxy voting trends, the impact of diversity policies, and the UK Financial Reporting Council’s evolving stance on corporate governance compliance and internal controls.

With a dynamic mix of legal insight and boardroom strategy, this episode provides essential intelligence for governance leaders navigating a rapidly changing business environment.

In this episode of Governance Watch, the Board Agenda podcast, we explore the pressing issues shaping corporate governance with one of the UK’s most influential voices in the field. Our special guest, Jen Sisson, Chief Executive of the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN), offers critical insights into the challenges and opportunities facing investors, boards, and policymakers today.

As global governance frameworks face mounting pressures, we discuss the evolving regulatory landscape, including the impact of US policy shifts, changes to UK listing rules, and broader concerns over shareholder rights and stewardship. With a wave of regulatory rollbacks threatening investor influence, Jen highlights why strong governance remains fundamental to long-term value creation—for companies, investors, and broader financial markets alike.

The conversation also delves into:

• The US and UK regulatory shifts – How governance is becoming more polarised and the risks of weakening shareholder rights.
• Investor and board relationships – Why engagement is becoming more fraught and how companies can foster more constructive dialogue.
• Audit and stewardship reforms – The role of the UK Financial Reporting Council’s efforts to streamline reporting and what investors want from audit reform.
• The future of corporate governance – Why high governance standards are crucial for market confidence and investment, and whether a "race to the bottom" in regulation could threaten corporate sustainability.

Jen brings a global perspective, comparing governance trends across Europe, the US, and Asia, and offering a pragmatic approach to balancing regulation, growth, and stewardship. She also reflects on the broader need for governance leaders to find common ground in an increasingly fragmented landscape.

As governance debates intensify, this episode provides a timely analysis of where things stand—and what needs to happen next to strengthen corporate governance for the future.

Tune in now for expert insights on governance, leadership, and the evolving role of boards in an era of uncertainty.

For more governance intelligence, visit BoardAgenda.com.