Business plays a crucial role in achieving the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals, and a diversity of skills and mindsets are required among those who make the final decisions that affect not only the companies they serve, but also society at large. Thus, improving the gender balance on corporate boards and in top management teams is critical, while at the same time supporting the Sustainable Development Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

The purpose of the FutureBoards Cross-Border Dialogue is to help correct the gender imbalance in decision making positions in the corporate world by inviting experts and practitioners within the corporate eco-system to exchange knowledge, share experiences and discuss ideas on how to remove invisible/intangible barriers to recruiting more women in decision-making positions - within a reasonable timeframe.

The target group includes male and female stakeholders in the corporate governance eco-system, such as investors, asset managers, board chairs and directors, CEOs, relevant organizations, politicians and regulators.             

To create a cross-border context, we always partner up with local organizations, and we are proud to see that the events attract high-level male and female attendees who are passionate about the topic.

So far, the FutureBoards Cross-Border Dialogues have been organized in collaboration with and hosted by Royal Norwegian Embassies in Brussels, London, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok, Yangon and Abu Dhabi, as well as the Royal Norwegian Consulates General in Mumbai and in Shanghai.

At the FutureBoards Cross Border Dialogue that took place in a virtual format in November 2020 the UK Women In Finance Charter was presented. As a direct consequence of the dialogue the Norwegian version of the charter - Kvinner i Finans Charter was launched in 2021. Therefore, we  continue to share experiences and ideas among the two organisations.

CO-HOSTS AND CO-ORGANIZERS

The FutureBoards Cross Border Dialogue in London on 13 October 2023 is organized by FutureBoards and co-hosted by The Royal Norwegian Embassy in London. Kindly supported by ABG Sundal Collier Women in Finance Foundation and Kvinner i Finans Charter (Women in Finance Charter Norway),

Confirmed speakers:

Norwegian Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland – HE Tore Hattrem

Carine Smith Ihenacho, Chief Corporate Governance Officer, Norges Bank Investment Management

Michael Marks, Head of Investment Stewardship & Responsible Investment Integration, Legal & General Investment Management

Maureen Beresfjord (Head, Corporate Governance) or Jessica Dahlstrom (Leading on the Code review) Financial Reporting Council; Revision of the UK Corporate Governance Code

Dr Roger Barker, Director of Policy and Corporate Governance, IoD

Alexandra Morris, Investment Director Skagen Funds, Chair Kvinner i Finans Charter

Discussion moderated by Leyla Boulton, Senior Editor, Financial Times; Development Editor, FT Live; Liaison with Financial Literacy and Inclusion Campaign

Master of Ceremonies: Turid Solvang, Founder/CEO FutureBoards·      

The event is supported by: