
This conference took place on 24 November
24 November 2017 | 9:30am–3:40pm | ICSA, Saffron House, London
Governance in sport is very much in the spotlight at the moment, what with heightened scrutiny around such issues as culture and welfare in sports organisations, and the implementation in April this year of the mandatory Sports Governance Code.
This new one-day conference offered a timely opportunity to assess how sports organisations are getting to grips with the challenges of good governance and considered the importance of good governance for securing the long-term health of the sector. We looked at the new Code and its provisions, and the ramifications of non-compliance, and discussed the importance of sports organisations taking a pro-active, rather than reactive, approach to the challenges they face. We also delved deeper into key issues such as safeguarding, increasing diversity and changing organisational culture.
The conference combined insights from a range of experts on the latest in governance thinking, and offered delegates an opportunity to share ideas and learn from one another.
Time | Programme |
---|---|
09.30 | Registration, tea/coffee |
09.55 |
Chair’s opening remarks Louise Thomson FCIS, Head of Policy (Not for Profit), ICSA |
10.00 |
Keynote address: Duty of Care in Sport At a time when UK sport bodies have been under intense scrutiny over bullying, child safeguarding and athlete welfare, the Duty of Care in Sport Review looks to address the need of sporting bodies to protect its participants effectively. Our speaker will review the impact of the findings and discuss what it means in practice for UK sporting bodies. Annamarie Phelps CBE, Chair, British Rowing |
10.30 |
Engaging with good governance What do you need to assess when considering what good governance looks like? This session will look at main characteristics of good governance, from accountability to transparency and efficiency, and in doing so will examine how far the Code for Sports Governance goes in addressing them and what its implementation means for the long-term future of UK sport. Emma Farlow, Governance Manager, UK Sport Joy Johnston, Governance Manager, Sport England Jonathan Hall, Sports Consultant and former Senior Executive Director, RFU and The FA |
11.15 | Networking tea and coffee break |
11.30 |
Evaluating board performance Board evaluations are vital to improving effectiveness and highlighting areas in need of improvement. From skills audits to reviewing practices, procedures, output and achievements, we will assess the different ways in which we can measure the strengths and capabilities of the board and the people that serve on them. Alison Gill, Director, Bvalco |
12.00 |
Managing conflicts of interest Board members are legally obliged to act in the best interest of their organisations, declaring any outside interests that may affect their decision-making. This session will look at what constitutes a conflict of interest and how they can be managed appropriately. Lorraine Young FCIS, Partner, Shakespeare Martineau |
12.30 |
Stakeholder engagement Communicating with stakeholders and building up a relationship ensures they feel valued and engaged with the activities of the organisation. In this session we will address how effective engagement increases trust and confidence between all parties, creating open dialogue that ensures the long-term sustainability of the organisation. James Allen, Director of Policy, Governance & External Affairs, Sport & Recreation Alliance |
13.00 | Networking lunch |
14.00 |
Boardroom dynamics The way in which individuals interact on a board is key to its overall effectiveness. To ensure a healthy dynamic it is important to have a group that is able to work collaboratively towards common goals. Here, we will assess the challenges of creating cohesion whilst avoiding groupthink and ensuring that effective challenge is part of the decision-making process. James Tickell, Partner, Campbell Tickell |
14.30 |
Diversity from the grassroots to the boardroom A wide range of perspectives, not merely token representation, is critical if boards are to deliver good governance. This session will look at how sporting bodies can promote equality and inclusion by improving the pipeline for talented individuals from grassroots level to the board. Laura McAllister CBE, FSLW, Professor of Public Policy, Cardiff University |
15.00 |
Future of Governance Forum The next ICSA Future of Governance report will be released in 2018 and will focus on the sports sector. This session will give delegates a preview of some of the key themes in the report, including the effect of the Code for Sports Governance on the independence of sporting bodies as well as existing and future challenges around integrity, diversity and organisational culture. Delegates will also have the chance to have their say, and provide feedback to the authors on what they feel the biggest governance challenges in the sector are. Craig Beeston, Policy Officer (Not for Profit), ICSA |
15.40 | Final remarks and close of conference |
*This is a draft programme and may be subject to change
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Sector organisations: £240 +VAT
Non-sector organisations: £365 +VAT
This conference took place on 24 November
Saffron House
6-10 Kirby Street
London
EC1N 8TS
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