Here we consider the Post Office scandal in the United Kingdom. In a meeting held on the 16th July 2013, the Board had an opportunity to address the injustices visited on Post Masters and sub postmasters, due to the faulty Horizon Software accounting system. However, the Board did not address the matter, refusing the General counsel from presenting a paper which made proposals pursuant to an interim report by Second Sight a forensic accounting firm which was hired to review the Horizon system. The Board did not address the elephant in the room, which was at the heart of the Horizon scandal. Are there elephants in your board room. If you are a director or company secretary, how would you react to the events of the 16th July 2024?

00:00 Introduction
00:46 Elements of an Effective Board meeting
01:54 The Horizon Scandal
03:48 The Second Sight Report
04:30 The meeting of 16th July 2013
05:35 Three reflections for effective board meetings
05:48 Following the Agenda
06:59 Information
07:59 Adequate Discussion- Elephants in the Boardroom
10:37 Defining the Elephant in the Room
10:59 The Company Secretary's role
11:31 Role of the Board Chair
11:37 Measures to address elephants in the board room
12:27 Conclusion
12:11 Consequences of failing to address elephants in the boardroom