AICD Top 10 articles of 2023

As we head into the new year 2024, we wrap up this year with a list of the AICD’s top 10 articles across a turbulent 2023. These were the hot topics that had directors seeking advice on how to deal with issues like cyber security, climate change, board culture and greenwashing. So, here it is - your top 10 list of ’23.

Momentous changes to Privacy Act proposed   

High-profile cyber-attacks and data losses at Medibank and Optus had the federal government signalling it will utilise the Privacy Act Review to significantly strengthen Australia’s privacy regime. By March 2023, the Attorney General’s Department released the long-awaited proposals. In our most-read article of the year, the AICD summarised key recommendations and highlighted potential implications of the proposals.

A director’s guide to mandatory climate reporting

When the Australian Government confirmed its intention to make “the biggest change to corporate reporting in a generation” by introducing mandatory climate reporting obligations for large Australian corporations, directors needed guidance. In collaboration with Deloitte and MinterEllison, the AICD published a 73-page guide to provide practical steps directors can take to ready their organisations for the start of the mandatory climate reporting regime. The guide has had more than 14,000 downloads.

Not-for-Profit Governance and Performance Study 2023

Rounding out our top three articles is our annual NFP performance study, which reveals increased challenges and demands impacting directors in the NFP sector, and highlights five key findings facing directors. This 2023 study reveals that directors are being required to commit more time and provide greater and more rigorous focus to the operations of their not-for-profit organisations.

The art of modern leadership with Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM FAICD

Modern leaders need to lead with both head and heart, according to Dr. Kirstin Ferguson, author of Head & Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership. In this insightful piece which relates to her book, she outlines four questions for boards to ensure they guide with perspective and are open to ideas.

Where PwC went wrong: Switkowski review findings

One of the major governance stories of the year prompted a review of misconduct and breaches of confidentiality by PwC Australia. In this article, we summarise the findings of the review, which recommended sweeping governance changes and a board restructure.

Hybrid office trends

In early 2023, directors grappled with the post-COVID-19 work-from-home dilemma. Getting staff back to normal became a new form of office politics. Here we outline trends in encouraging staff back to the office and how to deal with the changing office footprint and landscape of hybrid working needs.

How to build a board career

Building a board career can be tricky—from boosting your expertise to knowing what boards are looking for in a candidate. Here we outline the first steps you should take in your board career journey and what boards are looking for in potential candidates.

How to avoid dysfunctional boardroom culture

Considerable publicity has resulted from failures and lack of oversight driven by dysfunctional board cultures in recent years. This article written by organisational psychologists provides pointers on four common cultures in the boardroom and how to diagnose the dysfunctional ones.

Cyber Insurance and managing risk

Cybersecurity was, and continues to be, one of the most pressing concerns of 2023, prompting boards to ask how cyber insurance fits into their overall risk strategy. Here we answer common questions raised by boards on cyber insurance.

How to avoid greenwashing with ASIC deputy chair

The highly topical issue of greenwashing concludes our list of the most-read AICD articles of 2023, with ASIC deputy chair Sarah Court condemning the practice as misleading and deceptive. She outlines how ASIC’s enforcement priorities include a focus on greenwashing.