The Governing Board met in Lisbon on Friday 31 October and Saturday 1 November 2025. The meeting came immediately after the Cochrane Leaders’ meeting that members of the Board participated in too.
Budget and plan for 2026
The Governing Board approved the plan and budget for 2026 which sets out how we will raise spend the resources available to deliver on the priorities set out in our Strategy over the next year. There is some flexibility built into the budget to allow us to navigate the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead not least from rapid developments in AI and the Evidence Synthesis International Collaborative (ESIC).
Transforming Cochrane into an organization that is fit for the future
Reflecting on the valuable discussion at the Leadership Meeting, the Board agreed that, in the longer term, Cochrane must adapt to a changing world where evidence is accessed in new and different ways. Karla Soares-Weiser will share more information about future plans at the AGM be held on 18 November.
Publisher’s Report
Colleagues from Wiley joined the meeting and gave an update on the pathway to Open Access, national licenses and the opportunities and threats that AI is likely to present to our core purpose and business model.
Elections and Appointments 2026
Two elected members of the Governing Board (Tamara Kredo and Juan Franco) come to the end of their second and final terms in 2026 and so elections will be held. Elected members serve until the date of the outcome of the elections during the year in which their appointment ends.
Gillian Leng was appointed for a second three-year term from 30 September 2025 (appointed members start and end their terms of appointment on specific dates) and Wendy Levinson comes to the end of her term on 31 December 2025. The Governing Board had a chance to say thank you and farewell to Wendy at the face-to-face meeting.
Two appointed members will be sought in 2026 which will result in 6 elected members and 5 appointed members, 11 members in total.
The results of a skills and diversity audit using revised criteria will inform the election and appointment processes.
Policies
The Governing Board reviewed and approved several new or updated policies including a counter fraud policy and an anti-money laundering policy. These policies will join the suite of organizational policies that help to guide decision making and ensure we are compliant with the law and relevant regulations.
The Governing Board will meet again (virtually) in early December 2025.
An update will be shared after the meeting. Do let us know if you have any questions or want any more information. Get in touch at governingboardsecretary@cochrane.org
27 November 2025
