Board Oversight at a Time of Political and Geopolitical Uncertainty

The economic playing field is being reordered. What does that mean for boards? 

“Decisions that are being made today are going to be existential to the long-term viability of the companies that they're overseeing,” suggests Kevin Kajiwara, co-president of Political Risk Advisory at Teneo, who advises Fortune 100 CEOs on geopolitical risks and their strategic implications. 

Kevin joins Michael Leiter, head of Skadden’s National Security Practice, and host Ann Beth Stebbins, a Skadden M&A partner, in a conversation about how boards can effectively exercise oversight in today's geopolitical environment. 

The U.S. had a remarkably consistent role shaping the general economic trajectory of the regulated free market for decades, Kevin says, but that playing field is now being reshaped, and “boards need to ask themselves if the type of economic actors that prevailed during the previous period will continue to be the preeminent actors going forward.” It is not yet clear what shape the new global paradigm will take, he says. 

Mike emphasizes that political risk is no longer just dinner conversation at board retreats. Political decisions around the globe directly impact quarterly results, annual performance and future viability through effects on supply chains, tariffs, technology controls and data access. Business decision in one region now trigger counter-reactions from other jurisdictions. “If boards aren't thinking about it in those terms — the political decisions around the globe that will have direct impact on their quarter, on their year, on their viability in the future — they're not very good boards, and the company may not be around very long,” he says.

Boards can no longer focus only on the fundamentals of a company, because too much depends on external, political factors, he says. And political risk is no longer limited to the consequences of the next election. 

Both guests recommend that boards incorporate international expertise when evaluating their own composition. Boards should also institute regular updates from management on geopolitical risks, and consider conducting scenario planning exercises to test management assumptions. Companies should review and update disclosures, including risk factors, to demonstrate board engagement and support management in navigating an increasingly complex global environment.

💡 Meet Your Host 💡

Name: Ann Beth Stebbins

Title: Partner at Skadden

Connect: LinkedIn

💡 Featured Guests💡

Name: Mike Leiter

Title: Partner, National Security; CFIUS; Cybersecurity and Data Privacy; Congressional Investigations; Artificial Intelligence, Skadden

Connect: LinkedIn

Name: Kevin Kajiwara

Title: Co-President, Political Risk Advisory, Teneo

Connect: LinkedIn

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