European Corporate Governance Conference 2026

Video message from Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, European Commission

As artificial intelligence, quantum computing and other frontier technologies reshape corporate strategy, boards face new questions of risk, accountability, and expertise. How should boards oversee systems they may not fully understand? Does technological literacy become a fiduciary expectation? In this fireside conversation, senior leaders explore how governance frameworks must evolve to manage exponential change while safeguarding long-term value and market confidence.

Facilitator:

• Eelco van der Enden, CEO, Accountancy Europe

Speakers:

• Dr. Daniel Malan, Director of the Trinity Corporate Governance Lab, Trinity Business School 

Fragmentation, climate pressures, tech disruption, geopolitical shocks and tightening industrial policies are reshaping how European companies operate. Boards are being forced to rethink resilience not as a crisis response function but as a core element of corporate strategy and long‑term value. This session examines how boards can integrate geopolitical awareness, sustainability and technology governance into stronger oversight, and whether European boardrooms are prepared to govern well in an era where every strategic choice carries political, regulatory and security implications.

Facilitator:

• Aidan Meagher, Tax Partner and Co-Head of Geopolitical Strategy Unit, EY Ireland

Speakers:

• Simon Coveney, Consultant, Geopolitical Strategy Unit, EY Ireland & former Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland) and Government Minister
• Carmine  Di  Noia, Director for Financial and Enterprise Affairs, OECD
• Dr. Caroline Spillane CDir, CEO, Institute of Directors Ireland

Speaker:

• Mícheál O'Keeffe, Director of Policy and International, Central Bank of Ireland 

As the EU’s Savings and Investment Union seeks to better mobilize private savings and deepen capital markets, it is also reshaping governance expectations across Europe. This session examines how the SIU is changing board‑level discussions on long‑term value creation, capital allocation, and risk oversight, while redefining the roles of investors through evolving expectations around stewardship, engagement, and financial literacy in a more integrated European market – particularly in light of the forthcoming review of the EU’s Shareholder Rights Directive.

Speakers:

• Carey Evans, Managing Director, Co-Head of EMEA Government Affairs and Public Policy, BlackRock
• Aisling McArdle, Group Head of Primary Market Admissions, Euronext

• Peter Burke, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism & Employment, Ireland

The proposal for a single, optional European corporate framework — known as “EU Inc.” — aims to reduce fragmentation, simplify cross-border operations and strengthen Europe’s competitiveness. Yet a pivotal question is how can a 28th regime, leveraging European Business Wallets, genuinely unlock scale and deepen capital markets, without adding complexity and supervisory uncertainty? This structured debate brings together policymakers, investors, and corporate leaders to examine whether EU Inc. represents a breakthrough in Europe’s corporate architecture — or a governance gamble with unintended consequences.

Speakers:

• Esther Lynch, General Secretary, European Trade Union Confederation
• Pedro Oliveira, Director for Legal Affairs, BusinessEurope