In September I had the opportunity to attend the AICD Essential Director Update in Brisbane. A big thank you to the speakers and panellists – Penny Bingham Hall, Bruce Cowley, Susan Rix – and moderator Jane Crombie for their insights.
The session highlighted several topical and consistent themes shaping boardrooms today:
Productivity – Waning productivity remains one of Australia’s biggest challenges, and it’s no surprise that the latest AICD Director Sentiment Survey ranks it as the top issue for boards.
Climate Governance – The conversation has shifted from morality to materiality, with mandatory reporting now in place for large entities.
Artificial Intelligence – AI adoption is accelerating at an exponential pace. As Tim Trumper put it: “Start small, go fast and think big.” Alongside opportunities come significant workforce, governance and ethical considerations. Boards will need expert advice and strong frameworks with clear oversight.
Information Assets – Cyber and data governance are strategic risks. Information is a company’s crown jewels, so directors must ask: if it goes wrong, how will it go wrong? Reduce unnecessary data, and ensure a clear playbook is in place for when incidents occur.
The session also reinforced the importance of looking forward – investing the time to develop future-focused strategies and plans, rather than being consumed entirely by today’s challenges.
Thank you to AICD and Greg Ewing for hosting such a valuable event.
If you need some capacity and support to spend time looking forward please contact Tim Phelan at tim.phelan@twenty50.net.au
