How Boards Can Drive Meaningful Reconciliation in 2026

Australia's economy has become less dynamic. Fewer workers are switching jobs, fewer businesses are entering and exiting markets, and investment in research and development has weakened. A new report commissioned by the AICD and prepared by Mandala Partners suggests reversing some of these trends could add at least $20 billion a year to Australia's GDP over the next decade. In this episode, Adam Triggs, Partner at Mandala, explores why Australia's productivity growth has slowed, what's driving the decline in dynamism, and how regulation may be contributing to the problem. He explains what Australian governments can learn from international approaches to reform and where the biggest opportunities for economic growth could be found.

Australia's economic outlook remains uncertain. A range of domestic and global pressures are shaping the conditions in which organisations operate, and for boards, understanding which economic signals matter most is critical to making informed decisions. AICD Chief Economist Mark Thirlwell joins us to examine the outlook for interest rates, inflation and economic growth, the indicators directors should be watching, and whether traditional economic levers are still enough to address Australia's economic challenges.

AGMs are one of the clearest tests of shareholder sentiment. As investors are becoming increasingly willing to vote against boards when expectations are not met, Philip Foo of proxy adviser CGI Glass Lewis says directors should expect closer scrutiny in several key areas during the 2026 AGM season. In this episode, Philip shares the issues likely to attract investor attention at upcoming AGMs, including auditor relationships and independence, executive remuneration, board composition, culture and AI governance. He explains how shareholder voting behaviour is changing, what effective engagement with investors looks like, and why succession planning conversations should start well before they become urgent. Philip also explains the questions investors are increasingly asking and what distinguishes a well-prepared organisation from those facing unexpected opposition. We cover: (03:00) - The issues Philip expects to attract attention during the 2026 AGM season. (09:00) - What he suggests effective engagement looks like, including why discussions about succession and contentious remuneration decisions should begin well before the AGM. (13:30) - How shareholder voting behaviour has changed, with investors becoming increasingly willing to vote against remuneration reports. (18:00) - What investors are looking for in board composition as organisations contend with changing technology, the energy transition and other emerging risks. (19:30) - How investor expectations around climate, ESG and board diversity are evolving, including differences between international markets. (25:00) - What distinguishes firms that navigate AGM season smoothly from those caught off guard. Learn more: AICD guide on governing with stakeholder insight - https://www.aicd.com.au/news-media/research-and-reports/stakeholder-governance-guide.html

As cyber threats become faster and more sophisticated, boards are being urged to shift their focus from preventing every attack to building organisations that can withstand, respond to and recover from incidents. So how can directors tell whether their organisation is genuinely prepared? National Cyber Security Coordinator Michelle McGuinness explains why cyber security is a board responsibility, the questions directors should be asking and why boards should seek evidence rather than assurance when assessing cyber risk. The conversation also explores what happens when an incident actually occurs, including the role of directors during the first critical hours, communicating with stakeholders, and supporting teams operating under intense pressure. Michelle also shares practical advice on ransomware, extortion and follow-on scams. We cover: (04:40) - What cyber resilience means and why organisations need to prepare now. (05:30) - How boards can assess their organisation's cyber resilience. (07:00) - What is at stake when organisations get cyber security wrong. (11:00) - How directors can determine whether the information they receive from management provides a genuine picture of cyber resilience. (16:00) - What should happen in the first hours of a serious cyber incident, the support available to organisations and where the board's role differs from managements. (25:00) - Why Michelle argues organisations should avoid paying cyber ransoms, and why payment does not remove an organisation's broader risks or obligations. Learn more: Ransomware Playbook - https://www.cyber.gov.au/ransomware-playbook AICD resource on governing through a cyber crisis - https://www.aicd.com.au/risk-management/framework/cyber-security/governing-through-a-cyber-crisis-cyber-incident-response-and-recovery-for-australian-directors.html

As trust in institutions declines and economic pressures remain high, understanding community sentiment has become a critical capability for boards. In this episode of Director Download, Sue Vercoe, Managing Partner at SEC Newgate and Managing Director of its research practice, explains what her firm's "Mood of the Nation" research reveals about the issues shaping public attitudes in Australia. Sue discusses why shifts in community sentiment can act as a "canary in the coal mine", highlighting emerging concerns before they translate into policy change, regulatory scrutiny or reputational risk. She also shares practical advice on bringing external perspectives into the boardroom, understanding stakeholder expectations, building trust, and distinguishing long-term trends from short-term noise.