Directors' responsibilities in a time of change

The first Intesa Sanpaolo Business Law and Regulation Conference, hosted at the Saïd Business School on 6 March 2026, brought together leading scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to reflect on the evolving responsibilities of corporate directors in a time of rapid legal, economic, and societal change. Against the backdrop of intensifying pressures – from climate litigation and sustainability regulation to shifting geoeconomic dynamics and the technological transition – the conference explored how boards can navigate these intersecting challenges while preserving sound governance and long-term value creation.

The discussions throughout the day examined how the legal and regulatory frameworks that shape corporate decision-making are adapting to a world marked by uncertainty, interdependence, and new forms of risk. They probed developments in directors' duties, the boundaries of corporate purpose, and the extent to which directors are expected to integrate societal and environmental concerns into business strategy – at a time when a clear transatlantic drift has emerged, with Europe still broadly committed to the ESG agenda and the United States, under the current administration, in full-fledged ESG backlash mode. By drawing insights from comparative law, finance, and policy, the conference aied to illuminate how governance can remain both responsible and resilient in an era of transformation.

📆 Conference details: 
Friday, 6 March 2026

📍 Conference Location: 
Saïd Business School, University of Oxford