Priorities for Chairs in 2027

Impact Boards EM is pleased to invite Chairs’ Circle members to an exclusive high-level webinar, Priorities for Chairs in 2027​ on Wednesday 20 January 2027 at 1pm UK time,

​​With the world in flux, geopolitically, economically and culturally, we thought it would be useful to get together at the beginning of the year and explore priorities for Chairs in 2027. We are delighted to have secured Patrick Dunne OBE, an experienced Chair and author of the award-winning book "Boards" to lead this exploration of:  

• ​The enduring characteristics of high performing Chairs 

• ​How the role has changed in recent years and how is it likely to change further?  

• ​The latest developments in Board practice, especially in relation to decision-making and the use of technology 

• ​Changes to the way boards think about and manage risk 

• ​How the best Chairs ensure the right interaction between the board and the executive, as well as make the most of their subcommittees 

• ​The rise of nextgen boards 

• ​Thoughts on how to deal with whatever then is the latest global issue 

• ​We also give you the opportunity to bring along an issue​ 

Moderator:

Olga Pascault, Co-Founder and Chair - Impact Boards EM

About the speaker:

Patrick Dunne OBE is an experienced Chair, Serial social entrepreneur, VC and PE Investor. He is currently Chair of board consultancy Boardelta and the charities Royal Voluntary Service and ESSA- Education Sub Saharan Africa.  

Patrick’s executive experience was with Industrial Gas business Air Products and with FTSE 100 private equity 3i Group plc where during a 26 year career as an investor and leader he was Communications Director, a member of its Operating committee and Chair of its Operational Risk forum.  

He has supported Chairs across a wide range of sectors and types of ownership across the world in transforming the effectiveness of their boards. A member of the Higgs review and author of the award winning “Boards” he has also helped to establish many successful courses on board skills including for UK Private Capital, Invest Europe and the Financial Times. He is also the co-author of "Five Generations at Work: How We Win Together, For Good".  

Apart from being the founding Chair, for the first ten years, of the EY Foundation, Patrick has Chaired and served on numerous boards in the commercial, education and social sector. He is a Visiting Professor at Cranfield University, now part of Kings College, and a former member of the Council of the University of Warwick.     

Patrick was awarded an OBE in the King’s 2023 Birthday Honours list for services to charity and philanthropy in Africa and the UK.

View Patrick's LinkedIn profile here