The ECGI Patrons Council
A pioneering initiative to guide European corporations through rapidly evolving global challenges.
The landscape of corporate governance in Europe is undergoing transformation, driven by institutional investor expectations, the transition to net-zero, the emergence of AI, and the latest political developments. Company boards are positioned to lead this, implementing strategies that safeguard their future and leverage new opportunities.
€1 trillion per year
The EU will need to invest close to this much annually in clean energy and infrastructure to reach net-zero by 2050.
The Patrons Council is established with a dual objective:
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To discuss the latest developments around traditional corporate governance issues ahead of and after the proxy season, including voting policies, shareholder activism, proxy advisers, corporate law reform, remuneration trends, ESG ratings, and evolving board responsibilities.
- To discuss the latest policy developments around issues of direct relevance to corporate boards, such as carbon offsets, biodiversity, AI technology, and geopolitics.
€145 billion
The cost of climate-related disasters to the European economy between 2010 and 2020, with future projections escalating.
12 leading European corporations are being invited to form the ECGI Patrons Council, ensuring sectoral and geographical representation.
Biannual meetings, initially in London and Brussels, with topics covering investor expectations, ESG metrics, organizational transformations, and policy developments. The date of the inaugural meeting is 14th March 2025.
40% of global jobs
AI could impact this percentage of jobs, with both automation risks and productivity gains creating deep uncertainties for businesses.
The Theme of the first meeting is:
"Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Corporate Governance"
The following topics will be discussed:
Session 1: Navigating the CSDDD
Session 2: Stewardship Priorities and Expectations
Session 3: Voting Trends
Event website
63%
Executives cite "hallucinations" (false or misleading AI outputs) as a critical risk for business decision-making.
ECGI Patrons
#1 Risk to Growth
CEOs ranked “geopolitics and political uncertainty” as the greatest risk to the growth of their business over the next three years, up from seventh in 2022.
The ECGI Patrons Council is run in partnership with Oxera.
+3 times new trade restrictions
Between 2019 and 2024, new trade restrictions more than tripled, significantly disrupting global supply chains and increasing operational costs for businesses worldwide.
Benefits of Participation:
- Knowledge Exchange: Members will gain access to an exclusive network of peers across various countries and sectors, enabling a rich exchange of experiences and strategies.
- Insightful Briefings: Regular updates on strategic implications of policy, regulatory, and market developments will be provided.
- Expert Perspectives: Opportunities to engage with top academic researchers, investors, service providers, and policymakers.
- Enhanced Decision-Making: The council will empower participants with a deeper understanding of NZC transitions, improving organizational strategies and risk management.
