EY and Boyden Global Executive Search complete study on the role and effectiveness of Supervisory Boards in Ukraine

EY Ukraine, in collaboration with Boyden Global Executive Search, has conducted a comprehensive study dedicated to the role, effectiveness, and key practices of Supervisory Boards in today’s Ukrainian corporate environment.

The goal of the study was to form a holistic and up‑to‑date understanding of how Supervisory Boards operate today, as well as to identify the factors that determine their effectiveness.

As part of the survey, experts analyzed key trends, including:

• key challenges and opportunities faced by Supervisory Boards in a today’s business environment;
• the governance practices applied in their work;
• remuneration of members of Supervisory Boards;
• approaches to assessing and evidencing the value created by Supervisory Boards for their organizations.

The study covers 81 board members across 66 companies in more than 15 industries.

The findings show that nearly all respondents (99%) expect to face significant challenges over the next 12 months, with the most pressing issues including strategic human capital and talent management, and financial risk management and organizational resilience, each highlighted by 60% of participants. Additionally, supporting business growth and scaling, and managing geopolitical risks and instability were cited as equally pressing concerns (60%).

The survey also indicates that Ukrainian supervisory boards are steadily strengthening their governance frameworks: 82% have formal regulations governing Supervisory Board activities, and 70% publish structured reports on board activities.  

The survey shows that performance evaluation is becoming an essential component of Supervisory Board governance in Ukraine, yet with 44% of organizations still lacking a formal evaluation process, there remains considerable potential to further strengthen the governance practices.

Based on the results, the research provides valuable insights that will be useful for businesses, investors, owners, and corporate governance professionals, and will support the implementation of best governance practices in Ukrainian companies.

About EY

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.

Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.

EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.

All in to shape the future with confidence.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

About Boyden Global Executive Search

Founded in 1946, Boyden was the very first executive search firm. It is among the largest global executive search companies, operating in 75 offices in 45 countries with headquarters in New York, USA.

Boyden specializes in senior executive search. The firm has been named one of the top five executive search firms in the world by the International Association of Corporate and Professional Recruitment and ranks among the top ten executive search firms in 2017-2025 by Forbes.  

Boyden provides its clients with an astute level of industry and functional expertise, combined with a thorough understanding of the competitive dynamics shaping today’s marketplace. Its entrepreneurial approach enables the flexibility to provide highly client focused solutions. 

Established in 2016, Boyden Ukraine is the biggest and one of the most experienced teams in Ukraine on recruitment and executive search market. The team of 15 people, including 5 partners/senior consultants with 15-25 years of experience, specializes in management team (CEO and CEO-1) search and selection. We deliver local, national and international searches. The web-site: https://www.boyden.com/ukraine/

The Boyden Ukraine team is a member of the international Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (www.aesc.org) and Corporate Governance Professional Association (PAKU) as well as European Business Association (EBA) and American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine (AmCham).