Late last year, we asked our members how we could better serve their needs. The feedback was clear and we’ve listened.
In 2026, we’re focused on uplifting our offering across three key areas: ongoing professional development with more support for aspiring and emerging directors; deeper connection to the AICD director community; and strengthened support to assist you in progressing your director career.
As part of this uplift, we’ll personalise and tailor our offering to make a real difference to your governance journey. This will culminate in the launch of a Membership Roadmap — a personalised, stage-based guide showing members what to do next, which benefits to use and how to progress through your governance and career development.
We’re also developing aspiring and emerging director toolkits, offering curated, practical resources and guidance to help new and early-stage directors build confidence and capability. And we’ll be piloting mentoring, career conversations and peer-to-peer discussion groups — facilitated sessions held virtually and in our member lounges, where members have the opportunity to share insights, network and learn from peers in a trusted environment.
I’m confident these new initiatives will deliver even more value to your membership.
Australian Directors Program
The AICD is partnering with AustralianSuper and Melbourne Business School to deliver a program aimed at lifting the governance capability of Australia’s largest listed companies. Designed for newly appointed ASX 200 directors, the Australian Directors Program offers participants the opportunity to engage directly with leading local and global governance experts.
Critically, the learning is grounded in 10 Australian boardroom case studies drawn from real governance challenges, presented by directors who were often in the room at the time. It’s an exciting initiative that will equip NEDs with the skills, insights and peer networks needed to lead with confidence in today’s dynamic environment.
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AGS 2026
Looking ahead, our signature event, the Australian Governance Summit, will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year. I’d love you to join us on 10–11 March in Sydney or online, as we turn our attention to Directing the Next Decade.
From exploring where technology could take us and regulatory reforms in the age of AI, to navigating geopolitical instability and addressing issues filling boardrooms across Australia, the next decade of directorship will be as rewarding as it is challenging.
This year’s keynote address will be delivered by CommBank chair Paul O’Malley. An array of other senior leaders will speak at the summit, including ASIC chair Joe Longo, Productivity Commissioner Dr Angela Jackson, HESTA CEO Debby Blakey GAICD, Venues NSW chair David Gallop AM GAICD, Transurban director Tim Reed GAICD and McKinsey partner Chris Bradley.
The program also includes Boardroom Hypotheticals for practising decisions in real time, and sessions on payroll compliance in the age of AI and accountability — topics that have evolved from operational concerns to board-level issues with significant consequences.
I hope you can join us for this milestone 10th anniversary as we chart the course for the decade ahead.
New direction
Finally, you’ll notice this issue of Company Director looks and feels a little different. This is a deliberate decision to proceed with six issues per year that contain more content aligned to director feedback. It has more pages and new regular sections to keep you up to date with the latest governance news, and provide advice and insights to support you in your boardroom career. On our website, you’ll find more articles, tools and resources on every aspect of being a director.
These changes are based on the feedback you have given us and I hope you enjoy this issue. As always, I’d love to hear what you think.
This article first appeared as 'We're listening to you' in the February/March 2026 Issue of Company Director Magazine.
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