PARC 2025 Programme

The 2020s continue to deliver events that shock, challenge and often threaten us. There is an ongoing land war in Europe, the continuing demise of the US-led global trade consensus, severe supply-chain disruption, and inflation and interest rates not seen since the last century. 2024 was a record year for the number of game changing elections across the world – the impacts of which have yet to play out.

Old challenges remain, such as low productivity, debt overhang and the stubborn stagnation of many advanced economies. New ones are looming, such as shrinking workforces, rapidly developing technology, and the ongoing shift to Net Zero.

These are challenging circumstances in which to design and deliver your performance and reward strategy, and also for creating a relevant, action-oriented programme of events plus value giving research and services to our PARC community.

New Year 2025 marks the mid-point of the 2020s – a time to take stock of what has happened, and to discern the formative trends for the second half. In this context, our first Peer Exchange will look at the Legacy of Lockdown, and our first major report of the year will be an in-depth examination of how organisations need to adapt to survive the many challenges that lie ahead. In PARC’s view, many of the elements of the ‘polycrisis’ are already upon us so organisations need to be making changes now. These events will set the tone of 2025, providing opportunities for discussion that are both analytical and action focused.

We will continue our research year with an examination of the way corporate governance, stewardship and regulation are evolving in the face of formative trends. In much of the world, significant shifts in political and public opinion are driving a renewed focus on government intervention. Early indications suggest the scope of regulation is likely to extend to companies beyond the listed sector and beyond national borders. Furthermore, the scope of corporate governance looks set to continue its inexorable march forward.

Other scheduled events will encompass a session focused on the opportunity of Total Rewards plus our economic, legal and AGM trends updates. Our Peer Exchange sessions will continue to provide opportunity for adding new and important discussion points throughout the Programme year.

In 2025 we are introducing the concept of our ‘Performance Leaders’ Roundtable’. This type of event is for PARC’s top level strategic performance leaders, with no colleague substitutions. The agenda for each event will be informed by the leader group itself, with light touch facilitation from PARC and the opportunity to hear from thought-provoking speakers. It will be a forum for open discussion and critical debate, continuing on a less formal basis over dinner. Our intention is to ensure that our Programme and broader offering meet the evolving demands of our lead members, as well as their successors and specialist leads within our members teams.

Another addition to our programme will be events in mainland Europe. These sessions will allow for more local peer2peer exchange for our members based in or near these cities, and also for in-person discussion of PARC research and reports. 

As we enter the second half of a truly intriguing decade, PARC will continue to provide leading edge research and incisive analysis of the rapidly changing business environment. Our speakers, chosen for their expertise and leading-edge thinking, will provide thought-provoking insights into the forces shaping our world. 

With a diverse membership of over 80 organisations, PARC offers an unrivalled opportunity for discussion, debate and shared learning with senior level peers in an environment of openness and trust. 

With the exception of our Peer Exchange events, all in-person speaker events will be recorded and made available as a digital resource on the PARC website.

We look forward to your contribution and participation throughout 2025 and we value your continued support of our PARC community. Thank you.

Access the PARC 2025 Programme here.