8.30am Registrations open

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ASSOCIATIONS CONFERENCE LONDON COMMENCEMENT

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Session 1

9.00am Welcome to Associations Conference London

Attendees will be welcomed and the objectives of Association Conference London outlined.

John Peacock AM, Director, Governology

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9.05am Considerations by Royal Chartered Bodies: PANEL

IOM3 is the global network for the materials cycle. Since its formation as the Iron and Steel Institute in 1869, it has expanded to be a professional association with 15,000 members from almost a hundred countries. The Chartered College of Teaching is the professional body for teachers. Its mission is to empower a knowledgeable and respected teaching profession. The College has been revived in recent years with a refreshed purpose. The Institute of Chartered Foresters is the Royal Chartered body for tree professionals in the UK and can award the titles Chartered Forester and Chartered Arboriculturist. The experienced leaders of these bodies will discuss:

• Understanding the role and processes of the Privy Council

• The honour of “Chartered” accreditation and the Royal seal

• Introducing social leadership in times of environmental challenges

• Respectfully removing outdated groups, committees and processes

Dr Colin Church, Chief Executive, Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining

Jen Baxter, Deputy Chief Executive, Chartered College of Teaching

Louise Simpson, Executive Director, Institute of Chartered Foresters

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9.50am Observations of Commerce, Government & Association Governance

Neeta Major, a Chartered Accountant and Fellow of the ICAEW, has worked in Big 4 public practice, commerce, local government and the British Medical Association. She will share experiences including:

•  Reflections on time as BMA Co-CEO: why the arrangement worked

•  Growth of BMA from 158,000 members to 198,000 members

•   Figuring out who is in charge

•   Working in a complex and prominent union which is under scrutiny

Neeta Major, Group CFO, British Medical Association

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10.15am Case Studies of Governance Gone Wrong 

As a specialist associations lawyer with extensive experience mediating internal battles within associations, Kathy Nguyen will share real-world case studies of the tension, politics and turmoil in associations:

• When board members start a competing business (yes it happens!)

• An examination of a major association scandal in Australia

• What happens when one Board Director wants the CEO fired - and the Board is divided

• Why mergers between associations fail (spoiler: it's usually about money and power, not strategy)

Kathy Nguyen, Senior Lawyer, Governology 

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10.30am MORNING TEA

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Session 2

11.00am Working with a Passionate Global Board​

ECPR is the leading scholarly society concerned with the research and teaching of political science in Europe with a global membership. Executive Director Tanja Munro will discuss:

• Working with a global Board

• Variations in understanding of governance roles in different nations

• Knowing when to make statements on issues and when not to do so

• The respective roles of the Board and management 

Tanja Munro, Director, European Consortium for Political Research

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11.20am Evolving a Stable Institution to the Next Level: PANEL

The role of a CEO includes identifying areas for improvement and persuading the board that proposed changes are steps forward. This panel of experienced and newer CEOs will share their experiences and outcomes, including:

• Surveying the sector’s landscape and the association’s culture

• Introducing External Directors to alter the mindset of the Board

• Should CEOs be from the sector or an association specialist?

• Changing the association when your industry or profession changes

• Seeking forgiveness, not permission, and being diplomatically persuasive

Mary Suphi, Chief Executive, British Association of Urological Surgeons

Fintan Hourihan, CEO, Irish Dental Association

Ayça Donaghy, CEO, The Lighting Industry Association​​​

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12.05pm Ideas Exchange – Open Forum

Attendees will meet fellow association representatives to discuss their current major challenges or achievements. 

Chaired by John Peacock AM, Director, Governology 

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12.30pm LUNCH

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Session 3

1.30pm Associations and Competitiveness

The CBI celebrates its 60th anniversary this year and continues to represent companies and trade associations across every sector, region and nation. In this session, Senior Policy Manager Helena Coe will share insights on:

• The key political developments this autumn and what they mean for business and their associations

• The policy priorities CBI members have identified to drive long-term, sustainable growth

• The importance of our Confederation model, and how it strengthens our impact

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Helena Coe, Senior Policy Manager- UK Competitiveness, Confederation of British Industry
 

1.50pm Learnings from Associations Board Survey 2025

Governology has developed the 2025 Association Board Survey. The report will include insights into the similarities and differences between associations in UK and Australia. The Survey will cover matters including:

• Method of registration or incorporation

• Size of the governing Board

• Methods of selection Directors and leaders
   

 Abhinav Dagg, Operations Manager, Associations Forum 

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2.10pm Associations Board Survey 2025: OPEN FORUM

Attendees will meet fellow association representatives to discuss the Associations Board Survey 2025.
 

Chaired by Lewis Kaplan, Advisor, Associations Forum 

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​2.45pm Ten Tips for Company Secretaries

An association’s secretary is their “Chief Governance Officer”, ensuring smooth seamless and ethical governance. Tom Cadman will share his professional experiences including:

• Why a Company Secretary is needed although it may not be compulsory

  • Differences between a Company Secretary and an Honorary Secretary

  • Does the Secretary report to the CEO or the Board?

Tom Cadman, Director, Governology

 

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3.00pm AFTERNOON TEA

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3.30pm The Importance of Associations to the UK and Beyond

The Federation of Small Business is a membership association advocating for small businesses and the self-employed in the UK. It also offers its members vital services and benefits, including legal advice, to help them with the day-to-day running of their businesses and hence is a significant asset for many specialist associations. FSB National Chair Martin McTague will discuss:

• Small businesses as the powerhouse of prosperous nations

• Bringing together many industry participants into a powerful voice

• The importance of association policy and advocacy to the UK

• Sharing lessons from the success and challenges of FSB with other associations.
   

Martin McTague OBE, Chair, Federation of Small Businesses

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3.55pm Tips for Articles of Association

Articles are an association’s rules of governance. They can be either an asset or hindrance depending on their content and drafting. Raniya Dass will share suggestions including:

• Writing Objects / Purpose / Mission in less than 20 words

• Why membership and Board composition are crucial

• Common points of debate or contention
   

Raniya Dass, Lawyer, Governology

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4.10pm New Articles – Why Change and How to Achieve It? PANEL

 

Associations may evolve their government practices, yet their governing documents may not have kept up. This panel will describe how associations tackled a major update to their core rules, including:

• Identifying problematic matters

• Getting external verification and Board buy-in

• Consultation and convincing the doubters
   

Graham Watts OBE, Chief Executive, Construction Industry Council

Jackie Maginnis, CEO, Modular & Portable Building Association

Max Sugarman, Chief Executive, Intelligent Transport Systems

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4.50pm Closing comments

Wrap up of Association Conference London and thanks.

John Peacock AM, Director, Governology

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5.00pm Conference Close and Drinks Reception