GCC Boards Advance on Effectiveness, but Fall Short on AI Readiness, Diversity, and Geopolitical Risk Oversight

The GCC Board Directors Institute's 2025 Review — drawing on 193 directors and executives — found that 78% report improved board performance, but only 32% have formal selection, induction, and deselection processes, and 67% have no formal succession plan. AI oversight remains limited to agenda discussion without structural integration, and diversity and board renewal are identified as the weakest governance levers. For a SEA mid-market CEO building a professionalised board, this benchmark data from the closest peer region provides a clear set of gaps to close proactively.