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    GIAconf'16: Opening session

    Conferences Governance
    The 33rd Governance Institute of Australia national conference got underway in Sydney this morning. Some 160 'governance professionals' assembled from around Australia to explore the role of the company secretary, and emerging governance thinking and practice. This, the first of several conference reports, covers the first session of the two-day conference. (Note: these updates are not exhaustive accounts of ever session. Rather they provide summaries of key points made by presenters and observations from an interested delegate.)
    • The conference was opened by the GIA President Simon Pordage, after which Hon. Kelly O'Dwyer, the Minister for Revenue and Financial Services delivered a welcoming address by video link. O'Dwyer spoke about the government's legislative programme aimed at improving protection for shareholders. The brief message appeared to be well received by the audience, although the significance of the signal that the Turnbull government plans to implement a 'user pays' model at ASIC appeared to waft over most delegate's heads.
    • A panel of three regulators (John Price, ASIC; Geoff Summerhayes, APRA; and, David Barnett, ASX) were welcomed to the stage following O'Dwyer's welcome, to present a regulatory update. Each panel member offered a perspective including some rather candid observations including that many small companies treat corporate governance as a box-ticking exercise; and, that directors tend to view their own contributions optimistically (on the basis that we judge ourselves by intent, others by impact). Notwithstanding this, the overarching priority of the regulators and regulatory framework was then restated: to create an environment for efficient markets, fair rules and to catch miscreants.
    • Price noted that ASIC has an important role to play in terms of establishing trust and confidence in the equity market, after which Summerhayes added that this was crucial because the financial services sector (in particular) has taken its social licence for granted for many years. The panel then postulated that high levels of trust are an important indicator of a good culture and that culture is an indicator of (firm) performance.
    • The panel then moved on the present a raft of helpful technical updates, and to respond to questions from the conference floor.
    The 33rd GIA conference promises much. The organisers have assembled a good programme and a strong line-up of speakers. However, the opening session felt like an opportunity missed. Why the organisers chose to lead out with a regulatory update (instead of a thought provoking message from a gifted communicator to reinforce the core theme of the conference) was beyond me and most of my table neighbours. Regardless, I look forward to the sessions that follow. More soon.
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    GIA conference and more: Serving boards in Sydney

    Accountability Conferences Governance Performance Speaking Engagements
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    The Governance Institute of Australia's national conference starts on Sunday 27 November at the Hilton Hotel in the Sydney CBD. I'll be at the conference on 28–29 Nov(*) to listen to what looks like a great lineup of speakers, and to serve as a panelist on Tue 29. The panel topic is "The pursuit of productivity".
    ​If you're going to be at the GIA conference and want to say hello, please feel free to phone me or send an SMS. My number is here.
    Following the conference, I will remain in Sydney for two more days (Wed 30 Nov and Thu 1 Dec) for private meetings. If you would like to take advantage of my proximity to chat about corporate governance; board  effectiveness; corporate strategy; emerging trends and the findings from my recent research; or, any related matter of interest, I'd be delighted to make a time to meet. Please get in touch to set up a meeting. Currently, there are several gaps in my diary including dinner on Wed 30 Now and breakfast on Thu 1 Dec.
    (*) Session summaries will be posted here throughout the conference. Please check back if you are interested.
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    Improving board effectiveness: Let's meet, in Sydney

    Accountability Conferences Decision Making Governance Research
    If I had a dollar for every time questions of board effectiveness and how to drive performance from the boardroom has been discussed in my hearing, I'd be well off. My role in answering these questions will continue in Sydney at the end of the month.
    • The organisers of the Governance Institute of Australia annual conference (28–29 November) have invited me to be a panelist alongside Simon Pordage and Amanda Wilson. I am looking forward to serving the Australian board and governance community in this way. The topic that the panel will be wrestling with, "The pursuit of productivity", promises for a lively discussion!
    • Following the conference, I will remain in Sydney for two days (30 November and 1 December) for private meetings with directors, boards and other leaders. If you would like to meet to explore good corporate governance; how to respond to emerging challenges in your business; or, the results of my latest research and the implications for more effective board practice, I'd be delighted to sit with you. Please get in touch to schedule a meeting.
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    Best paper award!

    Conferences Decision Making Governance Research
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    The 'best paper' awards from the 13th Annual Corporate Governance Workshop (of the European Institute for Advanced Studies in Management, held in Milan last week) have just been announced. The Award Committee recognised Board influence from and beyond the boardroom: A provisional explanation, my paper. While the paper was warmly received when it was presented and many interesting discussions followed during the conference and since, the award was an unexpected surprise. ​​That the findings from my governance research have been recognised by an international group of scholars is truly gratifying. Thank you, I am honoured.
    If you want to learn more about the research and findings (especially the practical implications for boards), please get in touch. 
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    Improving board effectiveness, in pursuit of business success 

    Conferences Governance Research
    I'm returning to the UK and Europe in a few days' time—to attend meetings with business leaders in London and to present a paper on corporate governance at a conference in Milan.
    • London (19–25 October): Interest in board performance has been steadily increasing recently, as directors have begun to acknowledge that it is possible to influence business performance from and beyond the boardroom. I'll be sharing the findings from my latest research and discussing practical implications for boards while in London. There are some gaps in my diary (Fri 21 and Mon 24 October), so if you would like to take advantage of my proximity, I'd be delighted to hear from you. ​
    • Milan (25–28 October):​ I'll also be attending the 13th EIASM Corporate Governance workshop, to meet colleagues and present a paper entitled Board influence from and beyond the boardroom: A provisional explanation. You can read a copy here.
    If you want to ask a question, make a request or schedule a meeting, please get in touch.
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    Building board capability: Extra UK/Europe visit scheduled

    Conferences Family Business Governance Performance Research
    Subject to two pending confirmations, the schedule for my upcoming visit to London (14–20 September) is full. During this short visit, I will be participating in the Organizations with Purpose conference (16–17 September) at London Business School (in conjunction with the Blueprint Trust); attending a non-executive director forum; meeting (separately) with ICSA and ICGN executives; discussing my involvement in a significant event in 2017; fulfilling requests for confidential meetings; advising several clients; and, delivering a presentation. While the visit will be fleeting (and busy!), I am hopeful of realising a long-time ambition: to climb the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral on Sunday 18th, my day off. 
    The high level of interest in my work has been both humbling and gratifying. Thank you for your support!
    Looking ahead, I'll be returning to the UK and Europe is in October (19–28th), culminating with the 13th EIASM Corporate Governance workshop in Milan (I will be presenting a paper there). If you would like to learn more about my governance research (especially implications for practice); have a confidential discussion about a sensitive topic; or, discuss the possibility of me addressing your board or a public event, please get in touch. Recent experience suggests that the diary is likely to fill up quickly, so it would be wise to act promptly.