As businesses in the UK and Europe navigate an era of increasing complexity and regulatory demands, the role of audit, risk, ESG, infosec, and compliance professionals is evolving to meet today’s challenges and those on the horizon. From the transformative potential of the UK Corporate Governance Code reforms to the proactive measures required for the EU AI Act, second and third-line functions are stepping up as strategic partners to the business. In the past year, the AuditBoard Webinar Series explored how internal audit, risk, and compliance teams in the UK and Europe can drive regulatory success, strengthen enterprise risk management, and adapt to heightened risk exposure in financial services.
In 2024, AuditBoard hosted more than 50 audit, risk, and compliance webinars that were viewed by over 80,000 attendees. The expert speakers for AuditBoard’s webinars covered emerging topics in audit and internal control, issues related to compliance, the expanding role of auditors, and risk management. As a bonus, we were able to grant over 65,000 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits to support a variety of assurance certifications. In this article in our “Most Popular Webinar” series, we share the primary trends from the webinars we hosted for professionals in the UK and Europe in 2024 and how you can access our most popular webinars of the year, now available to watch on demand.
Looking for more thought leadership on other topics? Check out our top 2024 webinars for AI-Powered GRC, Audit, InfoSec, Risk Management, and ESG!
2024 UK&I and Europe Webinar Trends
The most popular UK&I and Europe webinars deal heavily with the UK Corporate Governance Code reforms and the EU AI Act. These regulatory changes highlight the need to develop robust, centralised systems of internal control and to adopt a connected risk approach across the organisation. A common theme emerged around connecting internal controls across the business to bolster resilience and elevate impact in a rapidly shifting global landscape.
AuditBoard’s Most Popular UK&I and Europe Webinars of 2024
As you explore the many topics available as on-demand webinars, these are the most popular UK&I and Europe sessions from 2024, in no particular order.
- Elevating the Impact of Internal Audit: A Glimpse Into the Future – In a session tailored for UK public sector audit professionals, Anthony Pugliese, President & CEO of The Institute of Internal Auditors, shares his vision for The IIA moving forward and what it means for all internal auditors. He is accompanied by Liz Sandwith, Internal Audit and Risk Consultant, who provides an update on the IIA Global Internal Audit Standards and subsequent guidance.
- Attendee Feedback: “The webinar was fascinating and it was fantastic to hear so much positivity about the audit profession from senior figures in the industry. Well worth the time.”
- Unpacking the UK Corporate Governance Code Reforms – AuditBoard’s Jason Sechrist shares the results of a survey of UK internal audit professionals’ view of the upcoming Corporate Governance Code. He also discusses challenges on the path to conformance, how organisations use technology to support their efforts, and action steps to comply with the updated Code from a check-the-box exercise to a transformation opportunity.
- Attendee Feedback: “Really interesting. Jason’s outlining of the steps (key requirements) provided us better confidence as to what we are doing, especially with the priorities we are setting.”
- Is Your Business Prepared for the EU AI Act: Internal Audit’s Critical Role – A panel discussion with responsible AI leaders from EY covers the passage of the EU’s AI Act — which has been likened to the GDPR for artificial intelligence. Balancing AI’s potential as a key catalyst for growth with the growing risks these technologies bring will require internal audit to step into a leadership role in helping their businesses prepare for compliance with the new and evolving AI regulations.
- Attendee Feedback: “Well-presented subject matter and great delivery as well. The presenters were very knowledgeable, and the content was very innovative.”
- Transforming Audit to Combat Financial Services’ Heightened Risk Exposure – Leaders from AuditBoard delve into the need for a different approach to auditing in today’s risk environment. They share strategies for adopting agile auditing to increase audit’s ability to adapt to rapid changes, especially in the financial services industry.
- Attendee Feedback: “Agile Audit is always in motion, and that goes against the traditional model. The subtle yet highly effective presenters showed a path forward rather than a stark choice. Impressive.”
- Driving Regulatory Success and Strengthening Risk Management: The Benefits of Connecting Internal Controls Across the Business – Ann Brook from the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors discusses centralising and connecting risk and controls across the organisation as a top priority for Boards due largely to the influx of new regulatory requirements, including the UK Corporate Governance Code Reform and the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requiring organisations to develop stronger risk-based internal controls.
- Attendee Feedback: Very topical advance warning of what is coming our way. I have been asking our Big 4 external audit firm about this and they are always too busy to discuss. Your seminar usefully gave us an outline of what we need to know.
Stay Up to Date With Timely Thought Leadership
AuditBoard’s on-demand webinars tackle the most pressing concerns facing audit, risk, ESG, compliance, and infosec teams, offering insights to sharpen your skills and equip your team to handle emerging risks and trends. The risks and mitigation strategies highlighted in these sessions will remain crucial to maintaining robust compliance as we enter the new year. Now is an ideal time to revisit the expert guidance available in these webinars and many others. Don’t miss the opportunity to register for AuditBoard’s 2025 Webinar Series and earn free CPE credits while staying ahead of the curve.
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