Board Stewardship Launches London First Edition of Huddle !
After successful launch in Singapore and Dubai, the Board Stewardship Huddle – London’s first edition brought together some of the most influential voices in global governance for a day of sharp insights, forward-looking discussions, and meaningful connections. Held on April 24, 2026, at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London City, the event saw participation from leaders across EU, London, and India, all aligned around one central theme, “Stewardship in Boardrooms.”
Set against the backdrop of rapid technological change and growing ESG expectations, the Huddle stood out as a focused platform where boardroom priorities were not just discussed, but challenged and rethought. From governance frameworks to AI-led transformation, the conversations throughout the day reflected a clear shift in how boards are preparing for the future.
The event opened with a welcome address by Vikesh Wallia, MD and Editor, Board Stewardship, followed by the inaugural address by Shailesh Haribhakti, Chairman, Board Stewardship. The keynote by Viyom Jain, MD and Global Business Head – Enterprise Products BU, Nagarro, set the tone for the day, highlighting the increasing role of technology in board-level decision-making. This was followed by the Chief Guest address from Lord Rami Ranger FRSA, Chairman, Sun Mark Ltd., who shared his perspective on leadership and global business responsibility.
A key highlight was the spotlight session by Nagarro on “Board Insight Powered by Agentic AI,” which drew strong interest for its practical take on how AI is already beginning to influence boardroom strategy. This was followed by a keynote from Jen Sisson, CEO, International Corporate Governance Network (UK), who emphasised the importance of stronger engagement between investors and boards.
Reflecting on the discussions, Jen Sisson said, “The importance of dialogue between investors and company directors cannot be understated. Events like this are a great forum to connect, to understand more about each others perspectives and to build shared trust and understanding. It was a great pleasure to share ICGN’s perspectives on the importance of good governance and stewardship in driving long term sustainable value creation.”
The event also featured the release of a book “Law Meets AI” by Anand Desai, Managing Partner, DSK Legal, adding another dimension to the evolving intersection of law, governance, and technology.
The afternoon sessions moved into high-impact panel discussions. The first, “Role of Institutional Investors in Enhancing Corporate Governance,” brought together Amit Lodha, Shailesh Haribhakti, and Anand Desai. The panel explored how investor expectations are becoming a strong force in shaping accountability and governance standards.
The momentum continued with a powerful session on “How AI Will Deliver Sustainability to the Planet.” Featuring Helle Bank Jørgensen, Irina Gorbounova, and Ken Smith, the discussion focused on how AI is being actively deployed across industries to drive efficiency and sustainability outcomes.
Irina Gorbounova noted, “Excellent discussion at the Board Stewardship Huddle on AI and sustainability. AI is now being embedded into core industrial processes, from energy optimization and predictive maintenance to supply-chain resilience. The real boardroom question is no longer whether AI will shape sustainability, but how leaders govern and deploy it responsibly to drive efficiency, resilience and long-term value.”
The final session on “Succession Planning: Creating a Board DNA,” featuring Tim Sheffield and J. N. Gupta, brought attention to leadership continuity and long-term board strength, closing the formal agenda on a strong note.
The Huddle concluded with felicitation and a vote of thanks by Manjiri Gokhale led by an energetic networking session over tea and coffee, where conversations continued well beyond the panels.
With a strong mix of global perspectives, practical insights, and future-focused discussions, the Board Stewardship Huddle – London Edition successfully delivered what it set out to do—create a space where ideas moved, perspectives aligned, and the future of boardrooms took clearer shape.
