Center for Corporate Governance

Center for Corporate Governance

President: Jordi Canals

Corporate governance in a context of disruption: 2026 IESE Survey of Boards of Directors

Prepared by the IESE Center for Corporate Governance, the 2026 IESE Survey of Boards of Directors explores board members’ perspectives on today’s key governance challenges, including AI, geopolitical risks, board effectiveness, CEO succession, and sustainability oversight. The survey provides insights into how boards are adapting to an increasingly complex business environment.

Read the full report here.

Building Bridges in a Fragmented World Economy

On April 27-28, 2026, IESE and the Social Trends Institute hosted the conference Building Bridges in a Fragmented World Economy in Barcelona to discuss the role of companies and business leaders in addressing growing global fragmentation.

Led by IESE professors Jordi Canals, Sebastian Reiche and Yih-Teen Lee, the conference brought together leading international scholars and business leaders, including Nancy J. Adler, Michael Morris, Pamela Hinds, José Viñals and Francisco Reynés.

Discussions focused on topics such as geopolitics, leadership, innovation, global teams, and the role of business in fostering social cohesion and international collaboration in an increasingly fragmented world.

Learn more about this event here.

Responsible Ownership in Times of Disruption

A recent article by IESE professor Álvaro San Martín draws on insights from the chairperson panel at the IESE–ECGI Corporate Governance Conference, held in Madrid on March 16, 2026, to examine what responsible ownership means for family businesses in times of disruption. Reflections from Sabina Fluxá (Iberostar Group), Paco Riberas (Gestamp), and Gildo Zegna (Ermenegildo Zegna Group) highlight the importance of value of long-term commitment, strong governance, and purpose-driven leadership.

Read the article here.

 

Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Management?

In an Expansión article, Professor Jordi Canals reflects on whether artificial intelligence could replace management and explores how AI may reshape the role of boards of directors and executive committees. While AI can improve prediction and decision-making, organizations must ensure that people remain at the center and that AI is governed responsibly and ethically.

Read the article here.

 

How to respond to the new geopolitical order

Companies must compete in an increasingly fragmented and highly volatile environment. In this article, Jordi Canals reflects on the strategic approaches companies should consider in response to growing geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

2024 IESE Survey on Boards of Directors

The latest edition of the IESE Survey on Boards of Directors addresses four key challenges currently facing boards: corporate purpose and culture; board competencies and dynamics; CEO leadership development and succession planning; and corporate strategy and geopolitics.

Read the full report here.

Contact

 

IESE Business School
Center for Corporate Governance

ccg@iese.edu
Tel: +34 932 53 42 00