Each year, we speak with Chairs and NXDs across the UK and beyond to understand the issues shaping their board agendas. This year’s programme reflects the growing complexity of the business landscape, including increased regulatory scrutiny, compliance pressures, board performance evaluation and the need for organisations to articulate a clear purpose.
The series will also examine the impact of evolving technologies, including AI, alongside climate change, sustainability, risk and long-term strategic resilience. With boards expected to be increasingly proactive, informed and adaptable, the programme is designed to provide practical insight and perspective to support effective non-executive leadership.
Each session is highly practical and relevant to those interested in organisations of all types and sizes, including listed, private, entrepreneurial, SMEs, public sector and not-for-profit organisations.
Live session dates
The programme is held over six online live sessions, covering a range of key NXD issues, delivered online, followed by an in-person Wrap-up session, delivered at the University of Edinburgh Business School:
Session 1: Rethinking Organisational Design for AI-Driven Success: What NXDs Need to Know
With guest speakers:
- Phil Le-Brun – Executive in Residence, Amazon Web Services
- Jana Werner – Executive in Residence, Amazon Web Services
Session 2: The Role of Boards in Understanding ESG Compliance
With guest speakers:
- Amanda Young – Board Member, Crown Estate Scotland
- Dr Sarah Ivory – Former Associate Professor in Climate Change and Business Strategy, University of Edinburgh Business School
Session 3: The Impact of AI on Organisations and the Role of NXDs
With guest speaker:
- Louise Smith OBE, Chair at Innovate Finance
Session 4: Cybersecurity: A Rapidly Growing and High-Priority Risk for All Boards
With guest speakers:
- Mandy Haeburn-Little – Chair, Business Resilience International Management (BRIM)
- Dave Stewart – Chief Information Security Officer, DCC plc
- Calum Baird – Senior Consultant, Systal Technology Solutions
Session 5: What Are the Main Criteria of an Effective Board?
With guest speakers:
- Angela Seymour-Jackson – Chair, PageGroup
- Niamh Corbett – Head of Pop-Up, Nurole
Session 6: Geopolitik or Realpolitik? Geopolitical Literacy as a Core Boardroom Skill
With guest speaker:
- Bill McCall – Principal, McCall & Partners
Session 7: Surviving the Vacuum: The Art of Making Lasting Improvements to Your Organisation
With guest speaker:
- John Watson – Group Executive Chairman, Robertson Group
Price
Tickets are available for purchase for separate online sessions at £200 per session. If you would like to attend the full online programme, you will receive a 20% discount.
The In-Person session is available at £50.
If you have purchased all online sessions to receive the 20% discount, you can also attend the in-person Wrap-up event at a 20% discount (£40). For this, please select the All online sessions + In-Person session ticket via the Eventbrite registration page linked above.
If you purchase all online sessions early, and decide to join the In-Person session later on, please contact us at executive@business-school.ed.ac.uk, quoting your order number for the All-online sessions ticket purchase.
Places for the In-Person Wrap-up event are limited, so we recommend deciding early to help secure your place.
Testimonials
Find out more about the course structure and activities from previous participants.
Testimonials