What AICD's major tech overhaul and global leadership mean for 2026

It's been another busy year for the AICD, with 2025 marked by notable events, including the biggest technology upgrade the organisation has ever undertaken.

I'd like to pass on the profound thanks of the executive, the board and myself for the massive effort so many of our staff have committed to this project - and for their stewardship through such a dynamic and challenging period. My thanks also to our members for their patience and loyalty in tolerating the teething issues experienced. With the platform modernisation program now delivered, we can look forward to a well-deserved Christmas and New Year break, confident you have all contributed to setting the AICD on course for a strong and successful 2026 and beyond.

This year, we also celebrated the 50th anniversary of our flagship Company Directors Course, marking half a century of excellence in governance education proudly delivered to more than 100,000 participants. The CDC represents the gold standard in practical, real-world governance education, with a reputation that's become something of a calling card for many of the AICD's other activities.

Canberra delegation

This was the case during our annual Canberra delegation in November. The AlCD's public affairs and policy leadership teams hosted an outstanding group of senior members for a series of high-level meetings with parliamentarians from across the political spectrum, senior public servants and decision-makers, and members of the Canberra press gallery. This is a major opportunity for us to showcase the depth and strength of the AICD's policy work, recognition and appreciation for which continues to build in the national capital.

The AICD made 23 policy submissions to federal government and regulatory consultations during the 2024-25 financial year, traversing issues of major importance to Australian business

including on productivity, better regulation, Al, cybersecurity, psychosocial risk, the care economy and climate and nature reporting.

Our discussions with politicians and policymakers confirmed the AICD is a trusted voice in the national policy debate and l'd like to thank our team for their efforts in putting together a successful agenda of meetings. Discussions focused on topics familiar to Australian directors, including how boards are adapting to growing geopolitical risk, economic fragmentation, regulatory complexity and technological disruption.

A key theme throughout the two days was Australia's continued lagging productivity and declining international competitiveness.

Importantly, we discussed how government and industry can work together on a shared vision to support the nation's future economic prosperity.

The delegation is just one part of AICD's advocacy program and we will follow up these discussions as we continue to meet with policymakers throughout the year.

We are proposing to repeat the delegation next year and also to introduce a CDC alumni event in Canberra for parliamentarians and parliamentary staff who have completed the CDC.

Timing of both initiatives will be finalised once the 2026 parliamentary sitting calendar is released.

In the meantime, many thanks to those delegates who volunteered their insights and time to help make this a successful delegation.