Board Stewardship London Huddle To Explore Governance, AI & Succession Planning
Board Stewardship is set to convene global governance leaders, board members, and industry experts at the Board Stewardship Huddle, London Edition, on Friday, April 24, 2026, at the Leonardo Royal Hotel, London Tower Bridge. Scheduled from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM (GMT), the Huddle will bring together influential voices from across Singapore, the UAE, London, and India under the central theme, “Stewardship in Boardrooms.”
The London Huddle aims to encourage meaningful dialogue around evolving board responsibilities in a rapidly shifting global landscape marked by ESG pressures, technological disruption, regulatory scrutiny, and geopolitical uncertainty. With a focus on enabling future-ready Boards, the event will offer a mix of keynote addresses, panel discussions, and networking opportunities designed to strengthen governance frameworks and leadership effectiveness.
The day will begin with a welcome address by Vikesh Wallia, MD and Editor, Board Stewardship, followed by an inaugural address by Shailesh Haribhakti, Chairman, Board Stewardship. The keynote address will be delivered by Viyom Jain, MD & Global Business Head – Enterprise Products BU, Nagarro, while the Chief Guest address will be presented by Lord Rami Ranger FRSA, Chairman, Sun Mark Ltd. A spotlight session by Nagarro will explore Board Insight Powered by Agentic AI, followed by a keynote from Jen Sisson, CEO, International Corporate Governance Network (UK). The event will also feature the book release of “Law Meets AI” by Anand Desai.
Sharing his perspective ahead of the event, Anand Desai, Managing Partner, DSK Legal, said:
“I look forward to the Board Stewardship Huddle in London on April 24. As corporate governance evolves amid ESG pressures and regulatory and geopolitical shifts, this elite gathering promises insightful discussions on enhancing the role of a Board, its accountability, risk oversight, and stakeholder trust. I look forward to exchanging perspectives with industry leaders and exploring strategies for resilient governance in dynamic markets.”
Highlighting the importance of navigating complexity in today’s boardrooms, Irina Gorbounova, Vice President M&A & Head of XCarb Innovation Fund, ArcelorMittal, noted:
“I am looking forward to joining the Board Stewardship London Huddle at a time when Boards are navigating an increasingly complex intersection of geopolitics, energy transition, and technological disruption. Effective stewardship today requires not only governance discipline but also the ability to make informed decisions under uncertainty and at speed. I hope to contribute a perspective on how Boards can engage more actively in enabling innovation, managing risk, and supporting long-term value creation in this evolving landscape.”
The afternoon sessions will feature high-impact panel discussions, beginning with “Role of Institutional Investors in Enhancing Corporate Governance”, with Amit Lodha, Co-founder, Director & Chief Investment Officer, Arteqion Capital Limited (UK); Shailesh Haribhakti; and Anand Desai. This will be followed by “How AI Will Deliver Sustainability to the Planet”, featuring Helle Bank Jørgensen, GCB.D, NACD.DC, Global Managing Director – Board Development, Board Intelligence (UK), Irina Gorbounova, and Ken Smith, Global VP Transition Services, Bureau Veritas.
The final panel on “Succession Planning: Creating a Board DNA” will include Tim Sheffield and J.N. Gupta, Founder & Managing Director, Stakeholder Empowerment Services (SES) and former Executive Director, SEBI. The event will conclude with felicitation and a vote of thanks, followed by networking over tea and coffee.
Emphasising the growing importance of leadership continuity, Tim Sheffield, Global Chairman, Sheffield Haworth (UK), shared: “I am delighted to join the Board Stewardship London Huddle and contribute to the panel on Succession Planning: Creating a Board DNA. The business world has never been more complex, and Boards must take a more deliberate approach to leadership continuity, talent, and long-term stewardship. I look forward to engaging with fellow board members, investors, and governance professionals in London for a meaningful conversation on how strong succession planning can strengthen resilient, future-ready boards.”
With participation from senior board members, investors, governance professionals, and global thought leaders, the London Huddle is expected to serve as a high-impact platform for advancing boardroom excellence and reinforcing the principles of effective stewardship in an increasingly complex business environment.
