Directors' responsibilities in a time of change

Attendance is strictly by invitation only

The Intesa Sanpaolo Business Law and Regulation Conference, hosted at the Saïd Business School on 6 March 2026, brings 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 will explore how boards can navigate these intersecting challenges while preserving sound governance and long-term value creation.

The discussions throughout the day will examine 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 will probe 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 aims 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