Event Details
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Live panel discussion in Main Hall
Encouraging Challenge in the Boardroom
A breakout session delivered by Genius Boards at the 2025 CGIUKI Annual Conference
This dynamic breakout session explored one of the most critical — yet often overlooked — boardroom competencies: the ability to challenge constructively.
Moderated by Sharon Constançon, CEO of Genius Boards, the panel examined how board members and governance professionals can foster a culture of confident, respectful challenge while managing the power dynamics that often stifle it.
Drawing on real-life experiences at Diageo and the BBC, speakers Samira Chambas-Yusuf and Anthony Corriette shared practical insights into building inclusive boards, equipping new members to speak up, and creating space for diverse perspectives.
Key themes included:
Managing bias, dominant personalities, and hobbyhorses
Navigating influence and external pressure
The role of the Company Secretary in shaping boardroom culture
Techniques for handling filibustering directors and challenging chairs
Why challenge must be underpinned by continuous training and strong relationships
Who This Session Is For
Company Secretaries, Board Members, Chairs, NEDs, and governance professionals looking to enhance boardroom culture, improve decision-making, and foster an environment where every voice can be heard.
Moderator
Sharon is a highly accomplished CEO with a diverse range of experience across several businesses. She currently serves as the CEO of Genius Boards Limited, and Valufin Limited, in addition to her role as Chairman of the South African Chamber of Commerce UK. Sharon is a corporate governance specialist and foreign currency adviser, known for her impressive track record of achieving results. As an energetic entrepreneur with a sharp eye for risk, Sharon is skilled in recognising opportunities and understanding the importance of good governance.
One of Sharon’s key strengths is her deep understanding of board behaviours, leadership, and regulated industries. She uses this expertise to deliver truly insightful and practical board evaluations. In addition, Sharon serves as a mentor and coach to chairmen and directors and is a passionate advocate for the company secretary role.
Sharon is also a respected educator and shares her knowledge and experience as a lecturer for the Qualifying Level Boardroom Dynamics course for the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland. Additionally, she serves as a faculty member of The Corporate Governance Institute, delivering risk training to corporate leaders. Overall, Sharon is a dynamic leader with a wealth of experience and expertise in corporate governance, leadership, and risk management.
Panellists
Anthony Corriette is a seasoned governance leader with over two decades of experience in corporate governance and company secretarial roles. A Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute and holder of an MSc in Corporate Governance, he has built a distinguished career supporting major UK private and publicly listed companies.
As Company Secretary of both BBC Commercial and BBC Studios, Anthony plays a pivotal role in shaping and maintaining the governance frameworks that underpin the BBC’s commercial strategy. He leads on board recruitment, induction, training, and assurance, and is responsible for designing governance structures that promote transparency, accountability, and strategic oversight.
Known for his emotionally intelligent leadership and commitment to nurturing high-performing teams, Anthony is also an active contributor to the wider governance community. He currently serves on the Board of the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland and is a Trustee of The Chartered Secretaries’ Charitable Trust.
Anthony brings deep insight into the realities of modern boardrooms, with particular expertise in balancing commercial ambition with good governance.
Samira Chambas-Yusuf is a qualified Chartered Company Secretary and Governance Professional with extensive experience across professional services and FTSE-listed corporate environments. She has built her career supporting some of the UK’s largest organisations, bringing a strong commitment to high standards of governance and inclusive leadership.
Known for her forward-thinking approach and passion for driving positive change, Samira is a recognised voice in the governance community. She was named a Governance Trailblazer at the DMJ Governance Hot 100 Awards 2025, and previously acknowledged as a Future Leader in both 2023 and 2024. Her early recognition as a Rising Star in 2020 and nomination as ICSA One to Watch in 2018 reflect a consistent trajectory of impact and influence in the field.
With a particular focus on social impact, innovation, and empowering others to speak up, Samira brings energy, reliability, and purpose to every boardroom she supports.
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