Board Meets World

Geopolitics has moved from a footnote in corporate strategy to a fixture at the boardroom table – driven by a decade-long surge in state-driven market interventions, sovereign wealth fund expansion, and analyst scrutiny of corporate geopolitical exposure.

The world has grown more multipolar, and the stakeholder map has expanded with it — a dynamic FGS Global's Geopolitical & Policy Risk Advisory team is seeing first hand. Traditional government relations now share the agenda with multilateral institutions, investors, and civil society – each capable of shaping the operating environment in ways that matter to the bottom line. 

The strategic implications are concrete: geopolitical and policy risk now shapes where companies operate, where they invest, and how they compete. Today’s business leaders can no longer outsource that engagement. Those navigating this well are doing a few things right: 

• Reading signals early. Political shifts affecting supply chains, market access and capital flows are readable in advance. The companies absorbing surprises are the ones that weren't watching.

• Engaging before they need to. Relationships with governments, multilaterals and investors built in calm periods are the ones that hold when conditions change — and that position companies to capture opportunities, not just defend against risk.

• Staying close to the right rooms. UNGA's High-Level Week in September is one of the few moments where that breadth of engagement is possible at once. Companies with a plan for the week build advantage; those without are leaving opportunity on the table.

To learn more ahead of UNGA 2026, contact our team at UNGA@fgsglobal.com or visit our UNGA dashboard.

Across markets, energy clients are finding that political debate is moving out of step with public opinion. This gap can derail projects, slow investment, and undermine communications strategies. FGS Global’s Energy & Sustainability team recently surveyed 101 U.K. MPs and 2,118 members of the public on the issues defining the energy debate. While the data is U.K.-focused, the dynamics apply more broadly. 

Among the key findings:  

• A 43-point gap separates MPs and the public on how to manage the impact of data center grids on the energy system. 54% of the public want data center numbers capped to protect bills, while only 26% of MPs agree.

• 66% of the public attribute rising bills at least partly to network charges for grid maintenance — yet there is an 82% parliamentary consensus in favor of continued grid investment.

• On electrification (replacing fossil fuels with clean energy), MPs and the public converge - not around confidence in the government's timeline, but around skepticism of it.

Three imperatives follow:

• Educate before you advocate. Policymakers are operating on incomplete information. Companies that fill that gap first shape the frame.

• Own the consumer story. Positioning between competing political factions is not a strategy. Voters reward companies that stand unambiguously for affordability and reliability.

• Update your channels. The audiences that move public opinion are not reading trade press. Messengers and platforms need a hard rethink.

To learn more, read the full report, or reach out to Energy&Sustainability@fgsglobal.com.

Broadcast journalists play a critical role in shaping public conversations around complex topics. But cutting through the noise to get their attention can often be a challenge. If securing coverage on a broadcast show is part of your earned media strategy, keep these tips from the FGS Health Media Insights team in mind:

• Build relationships with producers and bookers. Behind every great broadcast segment is a team who determines what makes it to air. They’re often the gatekeepers to getting your story featured. Spend the time to identify and engage with these behind-the-scenes decision makers, as they play a pivotal role in shaping the show’s content. 

• Understand their beat and their audience. Take note of broadcast journalists’ recent coverage, personal interests and any changes within the network that might impact their role and responsibilities. Use that information to reach out and genuinely connect with the journalist independent of a pitch.

• Be a source, not just a guest. Don’t limit your pitch to simply requesting airtime. Instead, position your spokesperson as a reliable resource for background information or expert commentary. 

• Be timely, relevant and additive. Broadcast journalism thrives on breaking news and timely topics, so frame your pitch around current events or emerging trends. Be proactive by anticipating how the story might evolve and explaining why your spokesperson is the right person to provide context or insight. 

Broadcast journalists are always on the lookout for credible sources and compelling stories that resonate with their audiences. By positioning your spokesperson as a trusted resource, building relationships with key decision makers, and tailoring your approach to align a show’s priorities, you can boost your chances of landing a story. 

Sign up for the Health Media Insights newsletter here.