COVID-19, recession, extreme weather events, deep-seated social unrest, and an increasingly polarized America all paint a picture of a daunting and opaque business and risk environment for the year ahead. Global volatility—driven by trade and geopolitical tensions, resurging debt, technology and business model disruption, elevated cyber risk, regulatory scrutiny, and political gridlock in the U.S. and elsewhere—will add to the challenge. The pressure on employees, management, boards, and governance will be significant.
Indeed, private company boards may see 2021 as an opportunity to fine tune strategy and corporate governance, with demands for greater attention to corporate purpose and stakeholder views, corporate culture and incentives, diversity and inclusion, the richness of boardroom dialogue and debate, and the company’s (and board’s) readiness for the risks and opportunities ahead.
Drawing on insights from our latest survey work and interactions with directors and business leaders, we highlight nine issues for private company boards to keep in mind as they consider and carry out their 2021 agendas:
KPMG's annual messages to directors focusing on the critical issues that should be high on board, audit committee, nominating and governance committee, compensation committee, and private company board agendas.
KPMG's annual messages to directors focusing on the critical issues that should be high on board, audit committee, nominating and governance committee, compensation committee, and private company board agendas.
Board Leadership Weekly, Directors Quarterly, and more
Board Leadership Weekly, Directors Quarterly, and more