Insights from the CGI Annual Conference 2025
The CGI Conference 2025 brought together governance professionals, thought leaders, and regulators to explore how organizations are responding to rapid changes in technology, regulation, culture, and stakeholder expectations.
At Lumi Global, we are fortunate to support many organizations navigating these shifts firsthand. As these conversations continue to unfold, we have reflected on how our work intersects with the key takeaways from CGI 2025 and how digital tools can help put some of these ideas into action.
1. AI will reshape governance, but regulation must keep up
Artificial intelligence is transforming decision-making at every level of the organization. However, the frameworks that guide its use are still catching up. Governance professionals are increasingly being called upon to help shape ethical, transparent, and responsible approaches to AI, often before formal regulations are in place.
As AI continues to influence decisions from boardrooms to operations, questions around data use, fairness, and liability are becoming unavoidable. The message at CGI was clear: artificial intelligence is evolving faster than governance frameworks can currently handle. Claire (Falcon Windsor) has coined a great phrase, describing AI as a “precocious intern”. It’s capable of great things and brings huge upsides... but must never be left unsupervised!
What this means for governance:
AI offers new opportunities, but also raises fundamental questions about fairness, transparency, and accountability.
How technology can help:
Solutions that offer visibility, auditability, and secure recordkeeping help ensure decisions remain grounded in human oversight even as automation grows. But remember to use AI with caution... and, where possible, be transparent about its use!
2. The digital revolution is already underway
A clear theme at the conference was that the AGM is no longer just a compliance milestone. It is becoming a moment for meaningful engagement with shareholders and stakeholders alike. Organizations are exploring new formats including hybrid and virtual models to broaden participation while maintaining governance rigor.
Adaeze David (Haleon) and Camilla Johnstone (AstraZeneca) shared real-world insights from their transitions to digitally-enabled events. There was no one-size-fits-all answer, Haleon has embraced a fully digital approach, while AstraZeneca has adopted a hybrid model, with both examples showing how technology can support more inclusive and effective shareholder engagement, without losing sight of board accountability.
What this means for governance:
Organizations need to rethink how they design, deliver, and measure success at key moments of engagement.
How technology can help:
Digital meeting platforms that support real-time interaction, secure voting, and clear reporting can turn AGMs into purposeful, inclusive events that go beyond the minimum requirements.
3. Use trust as a strategic asset
Rebuilding and maintaining trust is central to effective governance. One session, Integrating Culture After Crisis, revealed how trustworthiness, rather than just compliance, is emerging as a board-level priority: but one that can’t be delegated!
Instead, trust must be shaped intentionally by leadership.
What this means for governance:
Corporate culture must be actively cultivated, with trust as a core strategic asset not a byproduct. Building trust requires consistency, clarity, and genuine dialogue, especially in moments of high scrutiny.
How technology can help:
Digital tools that enable transparent, inclusive participation, such as authenticated voting or real-time reporting, can strengthen credibility and support a more open governance culture.
4. ESG is evolving. And under even more scrutiny
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors are under more pressure than ever. Iraj Abdul Aziz (S&P Global) explored the upcoming 2025 regulatory changes, ISSB compliance, and the increasing backlash around greenwashing and superficial reporting. Governance professionals are on the front lines of this shift, ensuring disclosures are robust and stakeholder-focused.
What this means for governance:
Boards must balance long-term impact with accountability in the short term.
How technology can help:
Integrated voting, reporting, and participation tools help ensure ESG-related decisions are traceable, inclusive, and aligned with evolving stakeholder expectations.
5. Generational dynamics are reshaping boardrooms
With up to five generations working together, understanding intergenerational dynamics is now a critical skill for governance professionals and senior leaders. Multiple generations now work together across most organizations, each bringing their own values and expectations. Understanding how these perspectives shape collaboration and engagement is becoming a key consideration in governance, especially when it comes to communication and decision-making processes.
What this means for governance:
Diversity of thought isn’t just about representation. It’s about adapting communication and leadership styles to suit a wide spectrum of values and expectations.
How technology can help:
Platforms that support hybrid participation, mobile access, and multi-device voting can bridge generational preferences and make governance more accessible to all.
Looking ahead
This year’s conference, ‘Navigating Governance: Adapting to an Evolving World’, took place at a time of rapid change and growing complexity for governance professionals. Against a backdrop of economic shifts, regulatory developments, and rising stakeholder expectations, the conversations felt more relevant than ever.
Over two days of thoughtful discussion and practical insights, one thing became clear: the role of the company secretary is changing. From managing AI responsibly to rethinking ESG, and from embracing generational change to modernizing the AGM, governance is moving beyond compliance towards something more strategic and more human, with engagement at the core.
Want to explore what this could look like your for next AGM or election?
We would be happy to talk through how digital tools could support your team’s goals.
