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08:30 - Optional breakfast session: Internal audit and AI - How AI can support internal auditors.
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09:00 - Registration and refreshments.
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09:30 - Opening remarks.
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09:40 - Regulator update: In this opening keynote, ICAEW’s Chief Policy and Communications Officer, Iain Wright will be joined by the FRC’s CEO, Richard Moriarty in conversation to discuss the latest developments in corporate governance reform and other related developments.
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10:20 - The role of the Audit Committee and how to be a successful Audit Committee Chair: This panel, with the Audit Committee Chairs Independent Forum (ACCIF), will explore the ACCIF's 2018 report on “How to become an Audit Committee Chair and then succeed” - based on over 140 interviews with Audit Committee Chairs, CFOS, Audit Partners and Board Chairs. The panel will discuss which of the conclusions are still valid and if aspects of the role of the audit committee and its chair have evolved since the report.
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11:05 - Break.
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11:30 - The role of the Board in shaping culture and how to measure success: Peter Drucker said that “Culture eats Strategy for Breakfast.” The board is responsible for setting both and there is compelling evidence that poor corporate culture plays a significant role in unexpected corporate collapses. This panel session will discuss the role of the board in shaping and protecting the right culture and how to measure and communicate success in this regard.
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12:15 - The governance of AI: In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) holds immense potential for businesses across various sectors. However, along with its potential comes significant governance challenges. Boards of directors and audit committees play a crucial role in ensuring that AI initiatives are ethically sound, compliant and aligned with organisational goals. This session aims to provide insights into the governance of AI and to equip board members and audit committees with practical strategies to effectively oversee AI implementation.
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13:00 - Lunch.
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14:00 - The role of boards in managing risk: Raising your Game is cross-sector guidance for boards and their committees with consolidated risk responsibility (whether a dedicated risk committee or an audit & risk committee). This practical session will help boards directors and their advisers improve their approach to managing risk.
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14:50 - Breakout 1: Companies House Reforms: What does this mean for directors? Learn more about the recent extensive reforms to Companies House and what you and your boards need to do to be ready.
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14:50 - Breakout 2: Wates Corporate Governance Principles for Large Private Companies 7 years on - The Wates Principles were developed at the end of 2018 in response to government regulation requiring large private companies to adopt a corporate governance code and report against it in their annual Directors’ Reports. Private companies, representing a wide range of forms of ownership, are a significant contributor to the UK economy. Over 500 companies apply the Wates Principles and have a combined annual turnover of more than £850 billion.
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14:50 - Breakout 3: Boardroom resilience: Practical governance for risk, readiness and rapid response - Discover the governance strategies that separate reactive boards from resilient leaders. Spot emerging risks early with horizon scanning and scenario planning; Accelerate decision-making with frameworks for rapid, informed action; Strengthen third-party oversight with tools to manage ecosystem risk; Build a resilient board culture through psychological safety and diverse thinking; Enable real-time governance with connected oversight across risk, compliance and operations.
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15:35 - Break.
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16:00 - Looking to the future: using scenarios to seize opportunities and prepare for the worst - In an ever more turbulent world, hear from experts on how to navigate these uncertain times.
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16:30 - Closing remarks.
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16:45 - Networking reception.
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18:00 - Event Close.