Governance
What the latest Companies House director disqualifications mean for boards
Companies House has disqualified 23 directors and issued fines for filing failures in the first half of 2026, signalling a more active approach to enforcement under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. This blog explores what the latest action means for UK boards, why director accountability is coming under greater scrutiny and the practical steps organisations can take to reduce compliance risk. It also includes a 10-question health check to help directors assess governance, filing and oversight processes.
Better visibility. Stronger oversight. Greater confidence: What's new across Diligent Entities and Compliance
Explore how the latest Diligent Entities and Compliance updates help teams gain clearer visibility into ownership structures, strengthen governance around AI-assisted workflows and manage compliance obligations with more confidence across jurisdictions.
The 2026 board agenda: A mid-year review
In this episode of the Corporate Director Podcast, KPMG Board Leadership Center co-leader John Rodi returns for a midyear check-in on the board agenda. He maps out the converging forces reshaping board priorities in real time — from geopolitical and macroeconomic shocks to AI’s impact on business models, cyber risk and a fragmented regulatory landscape. He explains why supply chains are now strategic assets, how the end of cheap capital is changing investment decisions, and why speed has become a critical competitive advantage.
The TRUST framework and guardrails for AI
In this episode of the Corporate Director Podcast, Global Data Innovation founder and CEO Dominique Shelton Leipzig outlines how boards can move from AI “deer in headlights” to disciplined oversight. She how her TRUST framework zeroes in on the handful of controls that would have prevented most real-world AI failures to date. Dominique also breaks down what directors need to know about the EU AI Act, the board questions that matter most (from AI use cases to uninterrupted monitoring), and why even board use of consumer AI tools needs clear policies and training.
If you find this conversation helpful, please rate and review the Corporate Director Podcast and share it with your board and governance network.
Proxy Season Review 2026
The first half of 2026 marked a pivotal shift in shareholder activism and corporate governance. While proxy contests declined, activism evolved with investors increasingly favouring negotiated settlements, strategic M&A campaigns and operational demands centred on AI, capital allocation and board oversight.
The Proxy Season Review 2026 from Diligent Market Intelligence in association with Sodali & Co and Sullivan & Cromwell brings together exclusive data, expert analysis and real-world case studies to explain the trends that defined the season and what boards, advisors and investors should expect next.
Inside the report you'll discover:
- Why M&A re-emerged as the defining activist strategy, with push-for-sale demands rising by almost 50%.
- How activists are increasingly securing board representation through negotiated settlements rather than contested proxy fights.
- The growing influence of artificial intelligence on activist campaigns, board oversight and executive compensation.
- What changing SEC policy and a sharp decline in shareholder proposals mean for governance professionals.
- The latest trends in CEO pay, say-on-pay voting and remuneration scrutiny.
Regional analysis of shareholder activism across the U.S., Europe, Asia, Canada and Australasia.
- The season's most significant activism campaigns, along with practical insights from leading advisers at Sodali & Co and Sullivan & Cromwell on preparing for an increasingly unpredictable activism landscape.
Whether you're responsible for corporate governance, investor relations, stewardship, legal strategy or activism defence, this report provides the data and market intelligence needed to understand how the proxy landscape is changing, and how organisations can prepare for what comes next.
Curiosity, courage and authenticity in the modern boardroom
In this episode of the Corporate Director Podcast, Lululemon board director and author Kathryn Henry unpacks how personal adversity reshaped their approach to leadership and governance.
They discuss why today’s most effective directors lead with curiosity, emotional intelligence and service to all stakeholders – not just technical expertise.
Hear practical ideas for building trust in the boardroom, having the hard conversations, reading what’s left unsaid, and working productively amid uncertainty, AI disruption and competing stakeholder expectations.
Kathryn also shares their passion for mentoring the next generation of leaders and why boards must embrace broader, more diverse perspectives to meet the challenges ahead.
If you find this conversation useful, please rate and review the Corporate Director Podcast in your podcast app to help other governance leaders discover it.
Further resources:
Explore Diligent Institute’s latest research on board effectiveness, stakeholder governance and AI in the boardroom, and look out for Kathryn Henry’s memoir A Dime to Say I Love You for more on their leadership journey.
Connected governance at scale: What's new in Diligent Boards, Entities and Compliance
Explore how the latest Diligent Boards, Entities and Compliance updates help teams plan further ahead, gain clearer visibility into complex structures, and manage governance and compliance more effectively across jurisdictions.
Deals in dispute; activism against M&A
Opposition to announced M&A transactions has become a persistent feature of today’s public-company landscape. In volatile markets, investors are increasingly challenging not only deal price, but also timing, process and strategic rationale, creating new risks for boards seeking shareholder support.
Drawing on nearly 300 activist campaigns opposing the sale of U.S.-listed companies since 2015, this Diligent Market Intelligence report examines how and why investors contest transactions, the tactics activists use to build leverage, and what drives campaign success.
Discover key trends, data-driven insights and practical guidance to help boards, executives and advisors anticipate shareholder concerns, strengthen deal narratives and navigate contested transactions with confidence.
Register now to access the full report.