Chairs Lunch: Tech Trends every Board Must Address to Stay Ahead
At this Chairs & NEDs lunch with Adam Crozier, Chair of BT Group plc and former CEO of ITV plc, we will explore the Tech Trends Every Board Must Address to Stay Ahead. In this Tecade, the future belongs to organizations that lead in technology. With the “Magnificent Seven” tech giants dominating global markets, their combined valuation surpassing $15.5 trillion, businesses must adapt or risk falling behind. Adam will share key insights on how boards can navigate this fast-evolving landscape.
CHAIR
John Clarke, Non-Executive Chair, Companies House
SPEAKERS
Adam Crozier, Chairman, Board of Directors, BT Group
Taking a modern approach to HR is about building a people-centric organisation that adapts to rapid changes in the workplace. It’s about embracing technology to enhance employee experiences, drive strategic decision-making, and create a more inclusive and agile work environment.
Tax Controls, Governance and the Goldilocks principle: what is ‘just so’?
A young business on a rapid growth trajectory, driven perhaps by acquisitions or new market entry, will face the need for their risk and governance to play catch-up. Developing processes and controls is a natural feature of groups as they mature. Conversely, established groups can develop governance and risk frameworks which become disproportionate to the risk environment.
CHAIR
Peter Mason, Group Tax Director, Advisory Member
SPEAKERS
Ann Brennan, VP Tax, Anglo American | David Spencer, VP Tax, Anglo American
IPO activity in London has stalled in recent years, a consequence of economic and political uncertainties and access to deeper pools of capital in other markets, particularly the US. Accountancy firm MHA provided one of the exceptions generating hope that the growth in AIM listings in 2025 over the previous year will be sustained.
CHAIR
Peter Presland, Non-Executive Chairman, Safe Computing Holdings
SPEAKERS
Rakesh Shaunak, Managing Partner, Group Chairman, MHA
Responding to a cyber attack – Cyber war game Simulation
This session will give members the opportunity to experience what happens in a cyber- attack and specifically what will be expected of the trustees of the pension scheme in this scenario, whether the breach occurs in-house or with a third party. This will help chairs identify any gaps in their own cyber attack response plans and help ensure that they are best placed to manage an attack when it happens.
SPEAKERS
Dean Chapman, Lead Consultant – Cyber Risk Solutions, WTW
This troubleshooting workshop will focus on a range of indirect tax challenges submitted by attendees. Participants will be able to share perspectives with other in-house indirect tax specialists. Experts from our partners at MHA will be on hand to provide technical commentary and insights from experiences of their clients.
Join us for an insightful session designed to highlight the importance of understanding social mobility and its profound impact on business and society. This session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to champion breaking this divide.
TRAINERS
Caroline King, Head of People for Head Office, Reward and Inclusion, A.S. Watson
Regulatory, Legal and Tax Update – What You As A Trustee Need To Know
This year marks a significant change in the UK pensions landscape with the Pension Schemes Bill, which will impact trustees and will also impact the agenda and priorities of your sponsoring employers.
SPEAKERS
Edward Brown, Partner, Hogan Lovells International | Jill Clucas, Counsel Knowledge Lawyer, Pensions, Hogan Lovells International | Suzanne Hill, Tax Counsel, Hogan Lovells International
What Needs to be on Your Trustee Board Agenda in 2026?
To kick off the 2026 Programme of PensionChair meetings, our technical partners will talk through what is coming down the line for occupational pension schemes, including regulatory changes, emerging risks, and opportunities. We will be covering a range of topics such as Governance, Risk, Covenant, Funding, De-Risking, and Data, alongside wider macro-economic and geopolitical issues.
SPEAKERS
Jenny Gibbons, Head of Trustee Governance Consulting, WTW | Martin Bell, Senior Consultant, WTW | Roisin O’Shea, Business Development, Rothesay
