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The Future of Boards project, in collaboration with Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership


“There is a polycrisis going on. A kind of perfect storm.”


Boards are under increasing pressure from stakeholders about their impact on climate, nature and social issues, and to consider how those issues impact their businesses.

Recent years have seen a profound trend in business strategy: a shift from pursuing profit at all costs to providing profitable solutions for people and planet – and not profiting from the development of problems.

Our two-year collaboration with CISL reveals evidence-based insights into the trends affecting boards and changes in board practice. It combines interviews with board directors and key stakeholders across the world with a review of existing academic and practitioner research.

The research will support boards and their businesses. It focuses on practical recommendations on how boards can be fit to thrive in a more sustainable future.

“Our evidence-based, global findings from our Future of Boards collaboration with CISL will help boards strengthen their access to capital, build their brand, and enhance their license to do business.”

Alex Tamlyn

Chair Boardroom Counsel

The project has two phases.
Phase 1

Phase 1 explores the evolving and emerging trends in board practices and capabilities, and the related legislative contexts. The final report in this phase, The Future of Boards, Final Report: Summary and Synthesis – Phase 1, provides an overview of three preceding reports.

Phase 2

Phase 2 explores how high-quality management information and strong investor relationships mean better board decisions that benefit people, planet and the bottom line. We've split out these two topics – the merits of good sustainability information and of engaging with investors – into two reports, so we can explore each in depth, but they're also interdependent. There is also a business briefing and executive summary to go alongside the two technical reports.

DLA Piper CISL 1

The Rise and Influence of Investor Stewardship

Future of Boards: Phase 2
Business Briefing
Visit the CISL website to download the report
DLA Piper CISL 2

From Box Ticking to Sustainable Value Creation

Future of Boards: Phase 2
Executive Summary
Visit the CISL website to download the report
DLA Piper CISL 3

The Rise and Influence of Investor Stewardship

Future of Boards: Phase 2
Technical Report
Visit the CISL website to download the report
DLA Piper CISL 4

From Box Ticking to Sustainable Value Creation

Future of Boards: Phase 2
Technical Report
Visit the CISL website to download the report
Future of Boards

Foundation and Methodology

Phase 1: Part 1
Visit the CISL website to download the report
dla-report-2

Legal and Regulatory Frameworks for Sustainability

Phase 1: Part 2
Visit the CISL website to download the report
Future Of Boards DLA Piper tech rep cov 3

Board Practice, Membership and Stakeholder engagement

Phase 1: Part 3
Visit the CISL website to download the report
Future Of Boards DLA Piper tech rep cov 3

Final Report: Summary and Synthesis

Phase 1: Part 4
Visit the CISL website to download the report

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About CISL

CISL partners with business and governments to develop leadership and solutions for a sustainable economy. They aim to achieve net zero, protect and restore nature, and build inclusive and resilient societies. For over three decades they have built the leadership capacity and capabilities of individuals and organisations, and created industry-leading collaborations, to catalyse change and accelerate the path to a sustainable economy. Their interdisciplinary research engagement builds the evidence base for practical action. Read more here.