Life in the Boardroom Data Shows Strong Rebound in Face to Face Meetings

Life in the Boardroom is a unique biennial survey that gathers insights directly from Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) and Board Chairs, rather than from company staff or annual reports. Key areas covered include directors’ fees and time commitments, as well as their views on a range of topical board issues. Since 1990, this survey has provided a detailed and accurate picture from the people who experience life in the boardroom first-hand.

The latest 2025/2026 results reveal a clear shift back toward in‑person board meetings after the heavy reliance on virtual formats during the pandemic. In the 2021/2022 report, online meetings dominated at 92%, reflecting strict restrictions and the rapid adoption of digital tools. By the 2023/2024 report, this pattern had almost evened out, with 49% of meetings held online and 51% face to face.  The latest 2025/2026 data confirms that this trend has strengthened, with in‑person meetings rising to 63% and online meetings falling to 37%. This highlights a steady return to face‑to‑face interaction as workplaces stabilise and boards place greater value on direct communication and relationship‑building.

More detailed analysis on the remuneration, time use, opinions, and experiences of Chairs and NEDs can be found in our 80+ page report on 435 boardroom positions. You can download a free report preview. Find out more about Life in the Boardroom here.

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