Governance Intelligence

Corporate Governance Awards
Celebrating excellence in governance

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Cipriani 25 Broadway, New York

About the awards

On Thursday, November 7, over 400 industry professionals in the governance, risk and compliance world will gather to celebrate the best of the best at our annual Corporate Governance Awards 2024.

For our awards, individuals and companies can nominate themselves or others, free of charge, for aspects of GRC. More information about the categories, criteria, and judging process can be found below.

Join us to meet the companies consistently raising the bar and pushing the profession forward through innovation.

 

View the 2023 winners      View the categories

Timings

Timings shown below are in Eastern Time (ET) and are subject to change

  • 18:00 PM
    Cocktail reception

  • 19:00 PM
    Dinner and awards ceremony

    The awards will be presented after dinner in the below order:

    Best AGM
    Best board assessment program
    Best compliance and ethics program
    Best ESG reporting (small cap)
    Best ESG reporting (mid-cap)
    Best ESG reporting (large cap)
    Best global entity management
    Best governance around a corporate transaction
    Best proxy statement (small cap)
    Best proxy statement (mid-cap)
    Best proxy statement (large cap)
    Best shareholder engagement (small to mid-cap)
    Best shareholder engagement (large cap)
    Best use of technology
    Outstanding work by an independent director
    Rising star
    Governance professional of the year (small to mid-cap)
    Governance professional of the year (large cap)
    Governance team of the year (small to mid-cap)
    Governance team of the year (large cap)
  • 22:00 PM
    After-party!

  • 23:30 PM
    Event concludes

Awards categories

For our awards, individuals and companies are given the opportunity to submit written entries, free of charge, to be put forward to a panel of expert judges made up of corporate governance professionals and Governance Intelligence editorial team members.

Nominations for 2024

The entry form for the 2024 awards will launch in May. Keep checking this page or register your interest to be the first to know when the form is launched.

View the full list of 2023 winners by clicking here or select a category below.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected] or call +44 (0)20 8004 5339.

Best AGM

Best AGM

In this category, the judges will be looking at the work of corporate secretaries, general counsel and governance teams in preparing for and running annual meetings – either in-person, virtual or hybrid – that meet the governance needs of both the company and shareholders. Consideration will be given to fulfilling regulatory obligations, training and preparing management and board members, and ensuring shareholders have the opportunity for engagement before and during the AGM.

Best board assessment program

Best board assessment program

It is important that boards are periodically assessed so that changes can be made if necessary. These assessments are in many cases becoming more detailed and sophisticated. The judges will be looking for assessment programs that are thorough, innovative and tailored to a specific board where possible. Among other things, they will also be looking at whether feedback generated by an assessment has been acted on to help improve the functioning and/or composition of the board.

Best compliance and ethics program

Best compliance and ethics program

This award will look at coordination of governance, compliance, ethics and risk management processes across the entire corporation (including all subsidiaries). The judges will consider the level of understanding and integration of good governance principles across all disciplines and a truly non-silo approach to achieving an ethical governance environment.

Best director training and education program

Best director training and education program

Boards need to be properly kept up to date with relevant information and fully trained to carry out their duties effectively. As such, a key role of governance teams is making sure their board is informed on necessary issues and best practices, often with the aid of outside specialists. The judges will be looking for evidence of a program that meets these requirements for a specific board by offering extensive, relevant, timely and tailored training and education. They will also be looking for innovation in how directors are given the information and skills they need.

Best ESG reporting (small cap)

Best ESG reporting (small cap)

This entry should comment on the quality and robustness of ESG-related reporting. This includes exposure to environmental risk factors such as global warming, employee health and safety, foreign corrupt practices, consumer safety, social responsibility and corporate sustainability. The judges will also look at a company’s understanding of the role it plays in the community, both locally and globally. Market cap definition: Small cap = below US$2 bn / Mid-cap = between US$2 bn - US$20 bn / Large cap = US$20 bn and over

Best ESG reporting (mid-cap)

Best ESG reporting (mid-cap)

This entry should comment on the quality and robustness of ESG-related reporting. This includes exposure to environmental risk factors such as global warming, employee health and safety, foreign corrupt practices, consumer safety, social responsibility and corporate sustainability. The judges will also look at a company’s understanding of the role it plays in the community, both locally and globally. Market cap definition: Small cap = below US$2 bn / Mid-cap = between US$2 bn - US$20 bn / Large cap = US$20 bn and over

Best ESG reporting (large cap)

Best ESG reporting (large cap)

This entry should comment on the quality and robustness of ESG-related reporting. This includes exposure to environmental risk factors such as global warming, employee health and safety, foreign corrupt practices, consumer safety, social responsibility and corporate sustainability. The judges will also look at a company’s understanding of the role it plays in the community, both locally and globally. Market cap definition: Small cap = below US$2 bn / Mid-cap = between US$2 bn - US$20 bn / Large cap = US$20 bn and over

Best global entity management

Best global entity management

In this category, the judges will be looking at the work of general counsel, corporate secretaries and their teams in creating and running effective and innovative global entity management programs that ensure the organization remains in compliance with all local laws. Issues for consideration include: using technology in new ways, ensuring efficiency in the program and adapting to new circumstances, rules and conditions.

Best governance around a corporate transaction

Best governance around a corporate transaction

In this category, judges will be looking for innovative and effective governance work carried out before, during and/or after a corporate transaction such as an IPO, M&A deal or restructuring. This might include, for example, overhauling a company’s governance structure, combining the best elements of two companies’ arrangements or managing the regulatory and other risks arising from a transaction.

Best proxy statement (small cap)

Best proxy statement (small cap)

This award will examine the completeness of legal disclosures, effectiveness of communication elements, readability, timeliness of filing, visual design elements and overall layout. Specific elements such as compensation discussion and analysis, CD&A, director profiles and ESG challenges will be given particular consideration. Market cap definition: Small cap = below US$2 bn / Mid-cap = between US$2 bn - US$20 bn / Large cap = US$20 bn and over

Best proxy statement (mid-cap)

Best proxy statement (mid-cap)

This award will examine the completeness of legal disclosures, effectiveness of communication elements, readability, timeliness of filing, visual design elements and overall layout. Specific elements such as compensation discussion and analysis, CD&A, director profiles and ESG challenges will be given particular consideration. Market cap definition: Small cap = below US$2 bn / Mid-cap = between US$2 bn - US$20 bn / Large cap = US$20 bn and over

Best proxy statement (large cap)

Best proxy statement (large cap)

This award will examine the completeness of legal disclosures, effectiveness of communication elements, readability, timeliness of filing, visual design elements and overall layout. Specific elements such as compensation discussion and analysis, CD&A, director profiles and ESG challenges will be given particular consideration. Market cap definition: Small cap = below US$2 bn / Mid-cap = between US$2 bn - US$20 bn / Large cap = US$20 bn and over

Best shareholder engagement (small to mid-cap)

Best shareholder engagement (small to mid-cap)

Engaging in dialogue with shareholders around governance issues has taken on new importance in the era of say-on-pay. This category, introduced in 2014, will focus on ways that companies are reaching out to proxy decision-makers, often outside of proxy season, to discuss their compensation strategy and other aspects of corporate governance. Formal programs, which may include governance roadshows, shareholder forums, independent director participation, surveys and other means of engagement, will be assessed for both qualitative and quantitative results such as strengthened relationships with institutional investors or a measurable increase in proxy voting support. Market cap definition: Small cap = below US$2 bn / Mid-cap = between US$2 bn - US$20 bn / Large cap = US$20 bn and over

Best shareholder engagement (large cap)

Best shareholder engagement (large cap)

Engaging in dialogue with shareholders around governance issues has taken on new importance in the era of say-on-pay. This category, introduced in 2014, will focus on ways that companies are reaching out to proxy decision-makers, often outside of proxy season, to discuss their compensation strategy and other aspects of corporate governance. Formal programs, which may include governance roadshows, shareholder forums, independent director participation, surveys and other means of engagement, will be assessed for both qualitative and quantitative results such as strengthened relationships with institutional investors or a measurable increase in proxy voting support. Market cap definition: Small cap = below US$2 bn / Mid-cap = between US$2 bn - US$20 bn / Large cap = US$20 bn and over

Best use of technology

Best use of technology

The use of technology is becoming an integral part of the way corporate secretaries and other governance professionals communicate with their colleagues and with investors. Entrants should be able to show how their use of new technological tools, social media and the internet has helped to advance governance within their firm. Areas of consideration include, but are not limited to: the use of technology in board communications, shareholder engagement, company meetings, records management and information governance and the successful use of technology to facilitate transactions. The judges will also consider the accessibility of the corporate secretary, general counsel and board of directors using technology, and the quality of information distributed.

Governance professional of the year (small to mid-cap)

Governance professional of the year (small to mid-cap)

The judges will be looking for the most outstanding individual in a governance, compliance or legal function. Entrants should be able to show exceptional performance in advancing governance and compliance activities at their company. Areas of consideration include, but are not limited to: board structure, shareholder communications, regulatory filing, annual reports and all other areas of the company’s governance operations. Market cap definition: Small cap = below US$2 bn / Mid-cap = between US$2 bn - US$20 bn / Large cap = US$20 bn and over

Governance professional of the year (large cap)

Governance professional of the year (large cap)

The judges will be looking for the most outstanding individual in a governance, compliance or legal function. Entrants should be able to show exceptional performance in advancing governance and compliance activities at their company. Areas of consideration include, but are not limited to: board structure, shareholder communications, regulatory filing, annual reports and all other areas of the company’s governance operations. Market cap definition: Small cap = below US$2 bn / Mid-cap = between US$2 bn - US$20 bn / Large cap = US$20 bn and over

Governance team of the year (small to mid-cap)

Governance team of the year (small to mid-cap)

The size and scope of teams involved in achieving sound governance are growing. Some companies have dozens of people working solely on compliance and governance. This award will look at the best overall governance team in the country, and what it has achieved in the past 12 months. How does the size of the team compare with the size of the company? How have team numbers changed in recent years? Who is involved and what training do they get? Market cap definition: Small cap = below US$2 bn / Mid-cap = between US$2 bn - US$20 bn / Large cap = US$20 bn and over

Governance team of the year (large cap)

Governance team of the year (large cap)

The size and scope of teams involved in achieving sound governance are growing. Some companies have dozens of people working solely on compliance and governance. This award will look at the best overall governance team in the country, and what it has achieved in the past 12 months. How does the size of the team compare with the size of the company? How have team numbers changed in recent years? Who is involved and what training do they get? Market cap definition: Small cap = below US$2 bn / Mid-cap = between US$2 bn - US$20 bn / Large cap = US$20 bn and over

Outstanding work by an independent director

Outstanding work by an independent director

The focus of the Corporate Governance Awards is the work general counsel, corporate secretaries and other governance professionals do in service of their board and company. In this special category, judges will be looking for governance-related achievements by a named individual, independent director. That might be in leading an initiative to enhance bylaws or the proxy statement, to engage with shareholders – perhaps around a proxy contest – or to push the company to enhance its ESG-related efforts and disclosures. Judges will be looking for an individual board member who has gone above and beyond their normal duties to support good governance.

Rising star

Rising star

The judges will be looking for the best newcomer to a governance or compliance role. This person will have been in the profession less than 10 years and have less than 15 years of professional experience, achieving demonstrable success in driving good governance or implementing change at his or her company, advancing academic thinking or making a significant contribution to the governance community at large.

The judging process consists of three simple phases:

Phase one: Once the entry deadline has passed, the Governance Intelligence editorial team reviews all submissions and produces the short list

Phase two: The short-listed entries are shared with an independent judging panel made up of industry experts. The judges review each short-listed entry and select their top two picks per category

Phase three: The judges come together to discuss, debate and select the final list of winners who will go on to win an award

The judges’ votes are not made public, but their comments may be published in articles or reports after the event. Judges are not required to make comments against every submission.

Market cap definition

  • Small cap = below US$2 bn
  • Mid-cap = between US$2 bn – US$20 bn
  • Large cap = US$20 bn and over

 

Hall of fame

Past winners of our coveted Corporate Governance Awards are invited to be inducted into the Corporate Governance Awards Hall of Fame. This is an exclusive alum organization reserved only for individual winners of our awards including the categories – Best Governance Professional across all cap sizes and Lifetime Achievement award winners.

Click here to view the full list of honorees.

Highlights

View the highlights from the 2023 awards ceremony

Who attends our events

Attendees at our awards are leading practitioners from across the US. Each participant is someone with an established track record and a strategic GRC role within their company.

Some of our past attendees include:

Job title Company Job title Company
Associate general counsel ManpowerGroup Manager, corporate governance and securities Bunge
Attorney The Williams Companies Partner K&L Gates
Chief corporate governance officer Huntington National Bank Partner Vistra
Company secretary Willis Towers Watson Senior counsel The Williams Companies
Corporate paralegal Splunk Senior director, corporate legal Splunk
Corporate sustainability officer, Americas JLL Senior legal specialist Kyndryl Holdings
Deputy general counsel JLL SVP and general counsel The Williams Companies
Director, corporate governance Prudential Financial SVP, deputy general counsel & corporate secretary AIG
Director, environmental data analytics & reporting Phillips 66 Company SVP, general counsel and corporate secretary Avangrid
Director, ESG AT&T SVP, general counsel and secretary Gentherm Incorporated
Director, ESG program & strategy IBM VP & assistant corporate secretary Kyndryl Holdings
Director, investor relations IBM VP & deputy general counsel Microsoft
General counsel Willis Towers Watson VP, assistant general counsel & secretary IBM
General counsel and corporate secretary JLL VP, assistant general counsel, corporate secretary The Williams Companies
General counsel and secretary ManpowerGroup VP, compensation Voya Financial
General manager, ESG & sustainability Phillips 66 Company VP, corporate counsel and ESG Healthpeak Properties
Global chief sustainability officer & head of ESG Cognizant Technology Solutions VP, corporate governance Prudential Financial
Head, ESG First Horizon Corporation VP, deputy general counsel Hewlett Packard Enterprise


Request full attendee list

What our attendees say

"As was said by many, compliance is a critical function in today’s corporate world. Yet, those engaged in that effort receive insufficient attention. Corporate Secretary, generally, and this event in particular, shine appropriate light on not only the substance of ethics, compliance and good governance, but also put faces to the names who lead in this field."

Graybar Electric Company

"The flow and format of the event were excellent!"

Robert Half International

"I enjoyed the Corporate Governance Awards very much. Thank you for the invitation. It was a lot of fun and very well organized. Congratulations!"

Quanta Services

"It is important that the good work done by many members of the corporate governance community be highlighted, and I particularly appreciate the opportunity for recognition offered to smaller companies and rising stars."

Argyle

"The awards are external validation for the work being done by the governance groups within companies whose work might go unseen by the average employee. Having a physical trophy is a good representation of the hard work of those teams"

Lockheed Martin Corporation

"A great production!"

Broadridge

Become a partner

Why partner with us?

Our awards provide a unique opportunity to get in front of some of the most influential people in the GRC community. As a partner, you will gain an extensive amount of exposure through a wide range of print and digital marketing materials, both pre and post event, as well as on the day itself. Additionally, you can use the event to align yourself with GRC excellence and network with key decision makers from across the region – the ones pushing the profession forward through innovation.

Partnering with the event will provide:

  • A chance to network with qualified, senior decision-makers in the GRC community
  • Increased awareness and credibility through association with the region’s leading awards
  • New business opportunities through higher-brand presence among current and potential clients
  • The chance to entertain clients at the most respected event of the year
  • Exposure as the market leader in your chosen area by sponsoring the awards category that best reflects your area of expertise

All our partnerships are created using a mix of branding, thought leadership, lead generation and meetings with your target audience. You tell us your objectives and we will work with you to create you a package that makes sense for your company and will help you achieve those objectives. To find out more get in touch with Ian Richman or call on +1  212 430 6865.

Partners

Coalition for the Homeless

Governance Intelligence are long-term supporters of the Coalition for the Homeless. The Coalition is doing all in its power to ensure that homeless New Yorkers get the help and protection they need.

At our Governance Intelligence Forum during the day on November 7, we are asking delegates to bring along items to be given to those in need through the Coalition, which are outlined in the donation list link below. We also encourage guests find out other ways they can help by visiting coalitionforthehomeless.org.

 

 

VIEW THE DONATION LIST

Venue

We are pleased to be hosting our awards at:

Venue:
Cipriani 25 Broadway
25 Broadway
New York, NY 10004

Dress code:
Black tie

Warning: Please note the event may contain flashing lights or sudden loud sound effects.

Accommodation
Governance Intelligence has arranged preferential rates for awards attendees at nearby hotels. View the hotels and rates by clicking here.

Book your place

Click below to book your tickets at our first wave rate. There are only 20 individual seats, 5 standard tables of 10 and 5 VIP tables of 10 available at the first wave rate.

Book now to avoid disappointment. The rate will automatically increase once they’re gone!

What’s included with a Corporate VIP table booking?

You will receive a bottle of champagne and a themed cocktail on arrival for your whole table, company branding on the table, a mention in the opening remarks by the MC and a member of the organization interviewed at the event.

If you are a non-corporate looking to book a VIP table, please contact Ian Richman on [email protected].

Looking for individual seats?

Individual seats for the awards can be purchased by clicking here. The first wave rate is $495, increasing to $795 for the full price rate.

If you have any questions, please contact Thomas Williams on [email protected] or +44 208 090 2156.

Contact us

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