A Progress Report on Corporate Governance in Poland: 20 Years since Accession to the EU

Almost twenty years to the date of EU accession, Poland has been on the long road to standards convergence with the bloc’s rules and regulations. It has not been straightforward, and convergence has not been in perfect lockstep due to differing political, cultural and regulatory approaches taken by different Polish governments. 

Poland has transformed itself over the last twenty years, gradually moving up the value chain. Politically, Poland has also changed, with a more pro-EU party now at the helm of government, likely to accelerate the regulatory and policy convergence with the EU. The evolution is taking place at a difficult junction amidst regional geopolitics and a hot war taking place at its doorsteps. 

In this session, we will discuss the main critical progress in corporate governance in the country since accession. We will assess the role of DFI’s and PE in accelerating cultural, strategic, and operational changes at Board level. We will also look at the current effectiveness of Boards to adapt to the rapid pace of technological transformation, geopolitical pressure and political change. Finally, we will examine the growing roles of independent directors, and the challenges coming with the change of guard at the Board as founding shareholders pass the baton to the next generation.