On the 2022 private company board agenda

As the country focuses on reopening and companies reposition for the future, it is increasingly clear that resilience—of strategy, the organization, and operating muscle—is proving to be the great differentiator of the pandemic era. From pivoting to “remote everything” and focusing on workforce well-being to deepening digital engagement with customers and recalibrating supply chains, the ability to quickly adapt to dramatic disruptions and dislocations has defined the survivors and thrivers.

The unprecedented events of the past two years have clearly put corporate governance processes, including board oversight, to the test. Additionally, robust capital markets have compelled private companies of all sizes to reconsider their long-term financing strategy. Available U.S. private equity funding is approaching $1 trillion; private equity financings are on-pace for record deal and dollar volume; and, public markets have welcomed a record number of initial public offerings—in traditional corporate sales, direct listings, and special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs). Other factors impacting boardroom discussions include questions and expectations related to ESG performance, such as climate risk, increased cybersecurity risks and ransomware attacks, economic and supply chain challenges, and a fast-changing tax and regulatory landscape.