Boardroom culture, groupthink, and governance reality, with Roger Barker, The Center for Governance | Boardroom Confidential

"There is a big difference between having the right kind of governance structures and processes in place, and actually governance working effectively in reality." 

This week's guest on the Boardroom Confidential podcast, powered by Sherpany, is Roger Barker, Chief Research and Thought Leadership Officer at the Center for Governance in Riyadh.  

Roger shares the boardroom stories and insights that have shaped his career, including why he believes boards under pressure so often feel compelled to be seen "doing something”. 

Roger also discusses the practical mechanics of tackling groupthink, and makes the case for why the CEO should sit on the board despite the tension that can create. 

Drawing on his move from the UK's Institute of Directors to Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund-backed Centre for Governance, he reflects on how hierarchical cultures differ from egalitarian ones, and why boards across the Middle East have had to rapidly sharpen their scenario planning in the wake of the war in Iran. 

Roger spent almost two decades at the UK's Institute of Directors, most recently as Director of Policy and Corporate Governance, where he led on board evaluations. In 2025 he relocated to Riyadh. 

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Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction  

(01:15) Pressure And Knee Jerk Decisions 

(04:59) Should CEOs Sit On Boards? 

(11:32) What Board Evaluations Reveal 

(16:44) International Culture And Governance