The operating environment for corporate boards in 2026 differs fundamentally from that of even five years ago. What were once considered exceptional events — geopolitical shocks, supply chain disruptions, regulatory reversals, technological leaps, and sudden shifts in societal expectations — have become permanent features of the global business landscape.

Boards are no longer navigating a series of discrete crises. They are governing in a state of structural uncertainty, where volatility is continuous, risks interact with one another, and predictability has materially declined. The findings of the Global Board Survey 2026, based on responses from 3,416 chairs and board members across 84 countries, reflect this reality clearly.

The Global Board Survey 2026 is made in cooperation with Board Network and InterSearch.