International board perspective: diversity instead of stereotypes

At the Corporate Governance Working Breakfast (CGWB) on 13 November 2025, experts discussed current challenges and developments facing international supervisory bodies. The guest speaker was Dr Dorothea Wenzel, a business IT specialist and health economist with many years of international management experience in the pharmaceutical sector. The series is hosted by Professor Dr Julia Redenius-Hövermann, Professor of Civil Law and Corporate Law at Frankfurt School, and Sabrina Biedenbach, Board Office Biedenbach.

Dorothea Wenzel pointed out that many common assumptions about international governance systems – such as those relating to scope for action or liability issues – are highly simplified. The decisive factor is not so much the formal system as the role played by the members. The involvement of employee representatives can also create significant added value.

Strategic responsibility, liability issues and remuneration structures 

Another focus was on the strategic responsibility of the supervisory board. In order to make effective medium-term and long-term decisions, the board must understand market trends, the competitive environment and key risks. Formal responsibilities should not serve as a limitation on committed and forward-looking supervisory board work. Dorothea Wenzel also highlighted international liability risks – particularly in the USA, where class actions often concern governance aspects – as well as different remuneration approaches. However, remuneration should never be the decisive incentive for a mandate.  

Case studies: Qualification matrix and strategy workshop

Using two case studies, the speaker demonstrated how governance can be effectively implemented in practice: a qualification matrix can ensure that key competencies – such as financial expertise or technological knowledge – are available within the board in critical situations. A strategy workshop from the Danish context also illustrated how a supervisory board can develop strategic scenarios with the help of external perspectives, thereby creating a common understanding of opportunities and risks. 

In the subsequent Q&A session, participants discussed questions relating to investor communication, conflicts of interest, regulatory developments and the requirements for future supervisory board members – particularly with regard to current topics such as artificial intelligence.

The minutes of the Corporate Governance Working Breakfast can be downloaded here.