Over 400 directors attend IoD flagship Leading in Governance Conference

(Pictured L to R: Richard Curran, Journalist, Broadcaster and Author; Caroline Spillane CDir, Chief Executive Officer, IoD Ireland; and John Reynolds CDir, President, IoD Ireland).

The event focused on crucial topics that all directors and business leaders need to be mindful of, including corporate governance, cyber security, AI, digital strategy, ESG, board dynamics and culture. It featured an expert line-up of thought leaders offering key governance and leadership insights and knowledge, to support directors and leaders on their professional development journey.

Richard Curran, Journalist, Broadcaster and Author was our Master of Ceremonies (MC). He commenced by welcoming directors and business leaders to the Aviva Stadium and running through the event agenda. He then invited John Reynolds, President, IoD Ireland to the stage to give his welcoming address. 

In his welcome remarks John Reynolds CDir, President, IoD Ireland, outlined his main two aims for the Conference. Firstly, to provide practical and tangible steps which the attendees can take to make the corporate performance of their organisation more effective. He added that the conference content was adapted to provide this output by covering key areas such as governance, cyber security, AI, ESG and board dynamics. John also recommended that directors and business leaders in the room take advantage of the networking opportunities, highlighting the value of the connections. 

In his address he reflected on the importance and value of good corporate governance to an organisation. John acknowledged that the role of a director is potentially the most responsible and impactful position in any organisation. However, he reminded attendees and members that IoD Ireland was there to support them in achieving this aim. 

John concluded his address by reminding attendees that IoD Ireland would be there to support its members by empowering, informing and supporting them in their role as leading directors. 

(Pictured: John Reynolds CDir, President, IoD Ireland)

Our keynote of the day was by Award-winning journalist Nick Wallis. Nick presented a dynamic and engaging presntation around the value of good governance and culture by showcasing the impact of when this does not happen through the UK Post Office scandal. Nick showcased real life examples of the impact this scandal had on real people, the mistakes made at the top, and the recommendations he would give to directors to ensure this does not happen in their organisation.

The recording of this session is exclusive to IoD Ireland members.

(Pictured Lto R: Richard Curran, Journalist, Broadcaster and Author and Nick Wallis, Award-winning Journalist)

The first panel session of the day focused on the theme of 'From deepfakes to data breaches - Steering boards through digital disruption and addressed the key area of how directors and business leaders should manage their tech governance, from risk, such as cyber security, to opportunity, like AI and advancing digital strategy. It was moderated by Richard Curran, and included an expert panel of Raluca Saceanu, CEO, Smarttech247; Dr Patricia Scanlan, Chair of Ireland's AI Council & Ireland's AI Ambassador; Dr Richard Browne, Director, National Cyber Security Centre; and Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive, Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

The session explored key issues pertient to Board direction and control of technology within an organisation as well as the influence of technology-related externalities. It also addressed how the discussion will be underpinned by the ethics of technology and technological advances such as generative AI. IoD Ireland's new reseach on Tech Governance was also addressed on the panel, including the insights around NIS2, AI, and the role of the board. 

The recording of this session is exclusive to IoD Ireland members.

(Pictured L to R: Richard Curran, Journalist, Broadcaster and Author; Dr Patricia Scanlan, Chair of Ireland's AI Council & Ireland's AI Ambassador; Dr Richard Browne, Director, National Cyber Security Centre; Raluca Saceanu, CEO, Smarttech247; and Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive, Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB)). 

After the break, Dr Margaret Cullen, Governance Advisor, IoD Ireland, moderated a second panel session exploring the theme of 'Sustainability: Moving from the margin to the mainstream in the boardroom and beyond'. This session included panellists; Yvonne Holmes, Head of Group Sustainability, DCC Plc; Nicholas Tarrant, Managing Director, ESB Networks; Tom Moran CDir, Chair of Kerry Group, An Bord Bia & Public Appointments Service (PAS); and Dr Tony Holohan, Director, Centre for One Health and Adjunct Full Professor of Public Health at University College Dublin. 

This session addressed the practical realities of integrating ESG factors into the day to day running of an organisation with a particular focus on clarity of company purpose, strategy and risk appetite formulation, the range of stakeholder expectations and disclosure requirements. The panel also spoke about ESG legal and regulatory architecture, such as CSRD and CSDDD, and the role and impact of supply chains.

The recording of this session is exclusive to IoD Ireland members.

(Pictured L to R: Dr Margaret Cullen, Governance Advisor, IoD Ireland; Tom Moran CDir, Chair of Kerry Group, An Bord Bia & Public Appointments Service (PAS); Yvonne Holmes, Head of Group Sustainability, DCC Plc;Dr Tony Holohan, Director, Centre for One Health and Adjunct Full Professor of Public Health at University College Dublin; and Nicholas Tarrant, Managing Director, ESB Networks).

The third panel of the day, moderated by Caroline Spillane CDir, Chief Executive Officer, IoD Ireland, focused on the theme of 'Integrity of the boardroom: Understand the board dynamics that drive or inhibit decisive action.' This session included panellists; Professor Niamh Brennan CDir, Professor, University College Dublin; Roger Barker, Director of Policy and Corporate Governance, IoD UK; and Sarah Keane, President, Olympic Federation of Ireland, and CEO, Swim Ireland. The final session of the day addressed how behavioural risk management and building a good company and board culture will drive success for a company. To assist members and directors on this key area, CEO Caroline Spillane also highlighted our programme, Pyschology of the Boardroom, as a practical way for directors to upskill in this key area. 

The recording of this session is exclusive to IoD Ireland members.

(Pictured L to R: Caroline Spillane CDir, Chief Executive Officer, IoD Ireland; Sarah Keane, President, Olympic Federation of Ireland, and CEO, Swim Ireland; Roger Barker, Director of Policy and Corporate Governance, IoD UK; and Professor Niamh Brennan CDir, Professor, University College Dublin).

The day concluded with a closing address from Richard Curran, Journalist, Broadcaster and Author who provided a summary of the day's discussions and invited attendees to enjoy networking opportunities following the event.

Leading in Governance: Event Highlights