The 2026 Board Intelligence

Chair Summit

Insights from the inaugural Board Intelligence Chair Summit, which brought 200 leaders together to discuss the changing business landscape and the future of governance.

Register your interest for 2027
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At a time when technology, geopolitics, and risk are evolving faster than governance practice, the inaugural Chair Summit brought together more than 200 chairs, CEOs, and senior directors to debate what good governance looks like in 2026 and beyond.

Speakers including The Rt Hon Tony Blair, GCHQ Director Anne Keast-Butler, and The Rt Hon. the Lord Hague of Richmond shared emerging insights and practical advice on:

  • The evolving geopolitical context and how boards can turn risk into opportunity
  • The board’s role in innovation and long-term value creation
  • The emerging nature of cyber risk and crisis preparedness

  • The Board Intelligence Chair Summit has been a fabulous event. It causes me to stand back, think, and ask questions that otherwise I might not. It re-energises me.

    ~ David Roberts
    Chair of Court, Bank of England

  • This event has never mattered as much as it has today. It's such a pleasure to discuss what's going on in the world and how we introduce better governance. This is the jewel in the crown of the events for chairs.

    ~ Philipp Freise
    Co-Head of European Private Equity, KKR

  • It's been absolutely incredible. The speakers were dynamic, authentic, and speaking from the heart with very tangible information and advice.

    ~ Sirous Wadia
    Practice Director, K1 Investment Management

  • It's terrific that this group is being brought together. There's huge value in peer support and peer engagement for chairs.

    ~ Geraldine Buckingham
    NED, HSBC, Brunswick & Morrison & Co.

  • The people in this room represent some of the most accomplished, dedicated, connected, people… people who are able to make the biggest change in the world because of their influence.

    ~ Ann Hiatt
    Chair, Board Intelligence & former Chief of Staff to Eric Schmidt & Jeff Bezos

  • Board Intelligence have gathered a great number of people I admire tremendously in the world of corporate governance.

    ~ Rupert Soames OBE
    Chair, Smith & Nephew

  • It was an enlightening afternoon with very thought-provoking speakers.

    ~ Patricia Tehan
    Founder, Lygon Group & Trustee, Duke of Edinburgh Award

  • It's been an extraordinary day. Such an honour to listen to the sessions and participate in the panel. It was wonderful to think about what we can do collectively to drive growth for the UK.

    ~ Kate Alessi
    MD, Google UK & Ireland

  • There was a wonderful analogy in one of the panel discussions about bashing through a brick wall rather than arriving at a brick wall and studying it for a while. So, I'm going to be doing some brick wall bashing.

    ~ Sherry Coutu CBE
    NED, Pearson, Raspberry Pi & Phoenix Group

  • Some good prompts for reflection at a time when geopolitics and tech are combining to pose massive strategic challenges.

    ~ Ashley Alder
    Chair, FCA

  • A very special event with a very impressive turnout of chairs. The speakers were all excellent.

    ~ Paul Lester
    Chair, McCarthy Stone

Key takeaways

Register your interest for 2027

Want to be in the audience next year? Get in touch to register your interest.

Session highlights

Feedback from the attendees

Sherry Coutu MBE

NED, Pearson, Raspberry Pi & Phoneix Group

Geraldine Buckingham

NED, HSBC, Brunswick & Morrison & Co

Rupert Soames OBE

Chair, Smith & Nephew

Steve Kemp

Executive Chair & Founder, Emperor

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