NACD survey of company administrators finds that administrators anticipate modest financial development and heightened deal with execution, CEO succession, workforce capabilities and expertise transformation
WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Company administrators are coming into 2026 with a sharpened deal with disciplined strategic execution, workforce agility and expertise transformation, based on the Nationwide Affiliation of Company Administrators® (NACD®) 2026 Governance Outlook Report, which is knowledgeable by an annual survey of greater than 24,000 NACD members.
Whereas financial volatility stays administrators’ high concern, with greater than 30% anticipating a recession in 2026, a majority stay assured of their firms’ development prospects. Administrators report a decisive shift towards rigorous oversight of technique execution, CEO succession planning and the workforce expertise upkeep and flexibility required as AI and different applied sciences reshape enterprise fashions. The findings replicate a boardroom surroundings centered on long-term worth creation, organizational resilience and management readiness.
“Administrators acknowledge that succeeding on this surroundings requires readability of goal and disciplined follow-through,” mentioned Peter Gleason, president and CEO of NACD. “Boards are specializing in execution and workforce agility. The profitable convergence of expertise and expertise will decide whether or not firms can innovate, adapt and execute their strategic commitments. The tempo of change is not slowing, and efficient boardroom management is extra crucial than ever.”
Key developments for boards in 2026
The survey identifies three dominant themes shaping board agendas within the new yr.
Strategic execution. Administrators are sharpening their scrutiny of how technique is applied, measured and adjusted in actual time:
- Greater than 60% cite technique execution as the highest oversight enchancment space.
- Greater than 60% of boards are growing technique discussions throughout conferences.
- Greater than 40% are growing engagement between conferences.
- Administrators additionally report issues about organizational agility and useful resource alignment.
Individuals. Boards are elevating oversight of management growth, succession planning and workforce readiness:
- CEO succession planning ranks as crucial board apply needing enchancment in 2026.
- Administrators additionally report workforce adaptability, organizational agility and shortages of expert workers as the highest boundaries to technique execution.
- Just one-third of administrators say they’re strongly assured of their board’s collective ability set, and about 14% are involved that their boards would not have the capabilities wanted for the yr forward.
Know-how. Administrators anticipate continued funding in AI, cybersecurity and digital transformation, together with stronger measurement and oversight of expertise outcomes:
- Seventy-six % of administrators say AI will issue into their 2026 development technique, however most organizations report solely slight or average success in realizing operational or monetary advantages from these investments.
- Administrators underscore the necessity for clearer efficiency metrics, higher alignment between workforce expertise and expertise targets, and extra disciplined analysis of expertise initiatives.
Accomplice insights present broader context
The 2026 Governance Outlook additionally contains articles from governance, audit and consulting leaders, providing broader views on governance challenges and rising dangers within the evolving enterprise circumstances. Contributors embody:
- FGS International: “Board governance in a polarized surroundings”
- Deloitte: “Unlock worth with PE portfolio firm governance”
- CAQ: “The way forward for audit regulation: A name for adaptive oversight”
- RSM: “The governance challenges of M&A in a altering market”
- NACD: “5 applied sciences administrators ought to put together to have interaction with in 2026”
Collectively, these views present sensible steering for boards navigating expertise acceleration, regulatory stress, market change and the rising significance of disciplined execution in 2026.
In regards to the Governance Outlook Report
The annual NACD Governance Outlook Report is considered one of company administrators’ most trusted sources for navigating danger and alternative and shaping their board agendas. Its in-depth analysis and articles from NACD and its companions assist boards anticipate the problems most certainly to have an effect on governance practices and company efficiency within the yr forward.
About NACD
The Nationwide Affiliation of Company Administrators® (NACD®) is the main member group for company administrators who wish to broaden their information, develop their community and maximize their potential. For greater than 48 years, NACD has helped boards and the enterprise group elevate their efficiency and create long-term worth. Our management continues to boost requirements of excellence and advance board effectiveness at hundreds of member firms.
NACD’s worth insights, skilled growth occasions and sources, such because the NACD Administrators Summit™ and the NACD Directorship Certification® program, assist boards in navigating advanced challenges. With a rising community of greater than 24,000 members throughout greater than 20 Chapters, boards are higher geared up to make well-informed selections on the crucial, strategic points dealing with their companies at present. Study extra at www.nacdonline.org.
Press contact
Shannon Bernauer
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SOURCE Nationwide Affiliation of Company Administrators
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