The corporate governance profession is evolving rapidly. Emerging technology, changing regulation and growing expectations of boards are expanding the company secretary’s role, while placing greater emphasis on the skills needed to influence, advise and navigate change.
At the 2026 Equiniti Conference, the CGPro Network brought governance professionals together to consider what this changing landscape means in practice. The discussion explored three questions: what will be the biggest challenge over the next three years, which capabilities will matter most, and what support should a professional network provide?
The conversation highlighted several recurring themes, from AI and technology to mentoring, soft skills and the importance of professional communities.
Governance is becoming broader and more complex
Governance professionals are already being asked to operate across an increasingly wide range of issues. Boards are considering everything from culture and stakeholder engagement to cyber security and emerging technologies, meaning the governance role continues to expand.
For delegates, keeping pace with this change emerged as a significant concern, particularly when teams are being asked to deliver more with fewer resources.
There was also recognition that the profession itself is shifting. One group described the challenge as moving from a more administrative role towards becoming a strategic adviser, requiring governance professionals to develop a much broader range of capabilities.
AI brings opportunity, but new questions too
Unsurprisingly, AI featured heavily throughout the discussion.
Delegates recognised the need to understand AI and technology better so they can use new tools effectively. But the conversation went further than simply considering how AI might improve productivity.
Several groups raised questions about what automation could mean for people entering the profession. If technology increasingly performs the tasks traditionally undertaken earlier in a governance career, how will junior professionals gain the practical grounding and judgement they need to progress?
Another group echoed this concern, highlighting the importance of ensuring that AI does not remove the very tasks through which new professionals learn their craft.
The discussion therefore pointed towards a balance: embracing technology while preserving the opportunities through which junior professionals acquire the grounding, judgement and professional instincts needed to progress and, ultimately, to use technology effectively.
Human skills are becoming even more valuable
Alongside technology, delegates repeatedly returned to distinctly human capabilities.
Emotional intelligence, influencing, stakeholder management, commercial awareness and the ability to build credibility were all raised during the conversation.
This reflects a broader change already being seen through CGPro. While technical and regulatory knowledge remains important, feedback from the network shows increasing interest in skills beyond that technical foundation, the soft skills, including stakeholder management, influencing and building credibility within an organisation.
As technology changes how some work is completed, the ability to manage relationships, challenge constructively and provide trusted advice is becoming an increasingly important part of the governance professional’s toolkit.
Mentoring and community matter
If there was one particularly consistent request from the room, it was for greater access to mentoring.
Multiple groups identified mentoring as something a professional network could provide, with one noting that different perspectives can remain valuable throughout a career, not only at its beginning.
Others wanted more opportunities for networking, bite-sized events addressing emerging topics and an online CGPro presence where professionals could connect and exchange ideas day to day.
It reinforces the thinking behind CGPro itself. The network has developed beyond a programme of events into a forum where governance professionals can learn from one another’s experiences, alongside webinars, newsletters and thought leadership.
Advice for the next generation
The session also asked delegates to share the advice they wished they had received earlier in their own careers.
The answers were simple but powerful: be curious, take feedback on board, put your hand up for opportunities, stay open-minded and don’t rush to progress.
Another piece of advice was simply to “start”, reflecting on the value of taking the first step towards professional qualifications even when the path ahead feels uncertain.
Taken together, these insights highlight that career development is not only about progressing through job titles. Building experience across different organisations, projects and skills can be just as valuable.
Building the future together
Perhaps the clearest message from the session was that governance professionals do not have to navigate change alone.
CGPro was created to bring together the governance community, providing a space to share experiences, build confidence and learn from peers facing similar challenges. Its vision is to create a thriving and inclusive community that supports professionals as their roles and careers develop.
The newly introduced CGPro Network Hub extends that community online, bringing together event information, thought leadership, practical governance insights, webinars, articles and opportunities to get involved.
As the session concluded, one thought neatly captured the discussion: “nobody develops their career alone.”
With technology, regulation and expectations continuing to reshape the profession, connecting with others, sharing experiences and continuing to learn could prove just as important as keeping pace with the change itself.
Continue your professional development with CGPro
Explore practical governance insights, webinars, thought leadership, event information and opportunities to connect with the wider governance community through the CGPro Network Hub