Governance Unplugged - Internal Audit, Risk & Controls

• Ep 11: Small but Mighty – Running a High-Impact Audit Function with Limited Resources w/ Ingo Hartmann

  🎙 Governance Unplugged – Episode 11 Small but Mighty: Running a High-Impact Audit Function with Limited Resources with Ingo Hartmann Welcome back to Governance Unplugged! In Episode 11, Thomas sits down with Ingo Hartmann, Head of Group Audit & Consulting at Maxon, to unpack how lean internal audit teams can punch well above their weight. With 20+ years across internal audit, risk, and compliance (including Big-4 and industry roles), Ingo shares practical strategies for credibility, focus, and influence when you don’t have a big headcount. 🎯 Episode Highlights ✅ Closer to the business = earlier risk sensing. Small teams build trust faster, hear the “real story,” and spot issues before they escalate. ✅ Credibility through consistency. Deliver what you promise, meet deadlines, and show up prepared — reliability beats volume of reports. ✅ Focus where it matters (the 20% driving 80% of risk). Use risk-based planning across process, IT, and board/shareholder lenses; keep reporting sharp and succinct. ✅ Narrative over noise. Position audit as a connector and enabler — tell impact stories (risk reduction, safer operations, better decisions), not just lists of findings. ✅ Say “no” to protect “yes.” Avoid overcommitting; defend independence and quality by being transparent about priorities and capacity. ✅ Scale with partnerships. Use guest auditors (finance, procurement, etc.) with light training and clear guidance; co-/outsourcing for specialist topics (e.g., IT, ESG). ✅ Board engagement that counts. Regularly gather insights from directors; align on top risks and trade-offs (e.g., supply-chain stock decisions and their real costs). ✅ Pragmatic yet principled. Be approachable and solution-oriented while staying independent and compliant — clarity about the audit mission keeps the balance. ✅ Looking ahead. Smart use of AI in audit — and a cultural shift so leaders see audit as a driver of improvement, not a “pain.” 💡 Key Takeaway Lean audit teams win by focus, reliability, and storytelling. When you consistently deliver on the few things that matter most — and communicate the value — size stops being the headline. 🔗 Connect with Ingo Hartmann LinkedIn: Ingo Hartmann https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingo-hartmann-44a53a8/ 📝 Disclaimer The views expressed by the guest are personal and do not represent any current or former employer. 🎧 Listen & Join the Conversation Catch the full episode now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform. If it resonates, please subscribe, rate, and share — and let’s keep building smarter, more resilient organizations, one conversation at a time!

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• Ep 10: Behind the Trends: How Internal Audit Drives Real Boardroom Impact w/ Barry Franck

  Welcome to another episode of Governance Unplugged! In Episode 10, host sits down with Barry Franck (LinkedIn | www.tech-trust.ch), renowned board advisor, transformation leader, and founder of Tech Trust. This episode cuts through the buzzwords — AI, blockchain, cybersecurity, digital transformation — and gets to the heart of what truly matters in today’s boardrooms. 🎯 Episode Highlights • ✅ Why boards must become digitally savvy — and the crucial role internal audit plays in guiding this journey. • ✅ Translating complex technology risks into actionable board insights, not just technical jargon. • ✅ Why 75% of ERP and digital transformation programs fail — and what auditors need to watch for to ensure success. • ✅ Embedding culture into every audit — moving beyond checkbox exercises to truly shape organizational values. • ✅ Diversity and inclusion as governance strengths — discovering how varied perspectives help spot risks sooner and drive smarter decisions. • ✅ From defense to resilience in cybersecurity — shifting the mindset to thrive amid emerging threats. • ✅ Building credibility and influence as audit leaders — evolving from “trend chasers” to trusted strategic partners in the boardroom. 💡 Key Takeaway Internal audit earns its seat at the table not by reacting to headlines, but by translating them into clarity, foresight, and better decisions. 🔗 Connect with Barry Franck • LinkedIn: Barry Franck • Website: www.tech-trust.ch 🎧 Listen & Join the Conversation Catch the full episode now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast

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• Ep 9: Founders Need Firepower: Why Smart Startups Build Smart Boards w/ Marieke Flament

  Ep 9: Founders Need Firepower: Why Smart Startups Build Smart Boards (w/ Marieke Flament) 🚀 Episode summary Boards aren’t a brake—they’re a launchpad. In this episode, Marieke Flament https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariekeflament/ (two-time CEO, builder, investor, and board member) joins host Thomas Michel https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-michel-ksg/ to demystify startup governance. We explore why smart founders build boards early, how to select the right people, and what a “smart board” looks like as a company scales. We also dive into crisis readiness, founder–board trust, and the practical role of risk, compliance, and internal audit on the growth journey. 💡🛡️ What you’ll learn • Why early boards matter: Build the governance “muscle” before investors require it. 🏋️‍♀️ • Debunking myths: Boards don’t slow you down—the wrong boards do. ❌🐢 • Designing a smart board: Complement founder skills, think in phases, evolve as you scale. 🧩📈 • Crisis firepower: How strong boards show up when things get tough. 🔥🧭 • Pragmatic assurance: Risk mapping, compliance, and (later) internal audit as strategic enablers. 🗺️🧰 • Founder–board trust: Rituals, communication, and the value of “coffee-machine” moments. 🤝☕ Who this episode is for Founders, co-founders, startup leaders, operators moving into governance roles, early investors, and anyone designing boards for growth. 🎯 Key takeaways (fast facts) • Treat your board like a product. Define requirements, iterate, and measure fit. 🛠️ • Pick for fit and value, not for logos. Big names ≠ right chemistry. 🏷️ • Build before you “need” it. Governance works best when it’s proactive. ✅ • Map your risks early. Decide what to mitigate vs. accept. ⚖️ • In a crisis, boards add altitude. Perspective, networks, and calm execution matter. 🧠 • “Know your place.” Great board members challenge, support, and don’t try to be the CEO. 🪑 Memorable quotes • “Build your board like it’s your product.” 🧪 • “Smart startups don’t build boards because they have to—they build them because they’re ready to go the distance.” 🏁 • “Governance isn’t a brake; it’s a launchpad.” 🚀 Guest Marieke Flament — operator, two-time CEO, investor, and board member at the intersection of innovation, governance, and impact. Connect with Marieke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariekeflament/ 🔗 Host Thomas Michel — Founder of Governance Unplugged – Internal Audit, Risk & Controls. Senior audit & risk leader focused on making governance practical, impactful, and future-ready. ⚙️ Links & resources • Follow the podcast on your favorite platform and on LinkedIn for new episodes and extras. ⭐ • Interested in governance, risk & internal audit topics for your team? Get in touch. 📩 Disclaimer The views expressed by guests are their own and do not represent the views of any affiliated organization.

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• Ep 8: Culture in the Spotlight: Where Tone, Behaviours and Risk Intersect w/ Gavin Martin

  Governance Unplugged – Episode 8 “Culture in the Spotlight: Where Tone, Behaviours and Risk Intersect” Culture isn’t just a “soft” topic—it’s a core driver of behaviour, and behaviour drives risk. In this episode, Thomas Michel is joined once again by Kevin Martin to explore one of the most elusive yet impactful areas of internal audit: auditing culture. Together, they unpack why culture matters, the risks of ignoring it, and how auditors can approach this sensitive area with credibility and value. Auditing culture is not about passing judgment, but about understanding behaviours, assessing tone, and connecting the dots between risks, incentives, and the control environment. Key Topics Discussed • Why culture is a critical risk factor—and what’s at stake if we ignore it • The link between tone at the top, individual behaviours, and organizational outcomes • How to approach auditing culture without making it personal or confrontational • Warning signs of cultural weakness: from mandatory training to incentive schemes • Embedding culture assessment into every audit instead of treating it as a standalone exercise • The role of auditors as both analysts and “organizational anthropologists” • Why whistleblowing, psychological safety, and trust are central to healthy culture • Practical ways to spot “cliff edge” risks and unintended consequences of incentive programs Takeaway Auditing culture requires courage, curiosity, and sensitivity. By focusing on behaviours, incentives, and tone, internal auditors can shine a light on cultural dynamics that either strengthen or undermine resilience. Culture, when understood well, becomes not a minefield—but a source of meaningful insight and lasting organisational strength. Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite platform—and join the conversation on LinkedIn at KeyStone Governance.

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• Ep 7: Beyond the Hype: Using AI with Integrity in Internal Audit w/ Gavin Martin

  Governance Unplugged – Episode 7 “Beyond the Hype: Using AI with Integrity in Internal Audit” Guest: Gavin Martin, seasoned internal audit executive and technology risk expert with leadership roles at UBS, Credit Suisse, and Lloyds Banking Group. How can we embrace Artificial Intelligence in Internal Audit, without losing our professional skepticism? In this episode, host Thomas is joined once again by Gavin Martin to explore one of the most pressing topics in today’s assurance landscape: the rise of AI. Together, they unpack how internal auditors can leverage AI responsibly, without falling into the trap of blind adoption or over-reliance. Drawing on decades of experience and sharp observation, Gavin explains how to distinguish between efficiency and effectiveness when applying AI, and why focusing on outcomes is more critical than ever. Key Topics Discussed: • The real value of AI: boosting efficiency and audit effectiveness • Why outcome thinking must come before AI adoption • How unconscious biases and “authority bias” can mislead auditors • What “AI drift” is, and how to spot it before it erodes trust • Risks of over-relying on AI-generated audit evidence and reports • How internal audit can audit AI-enabled business processes • What it takes to build responsible AI governance frameworks • Deepfakes, model risk, and the return of old-school audit techniques • Human roles in an AI-driven audit world: recalibrating expectations Takeaway: Adopting AI is inevitable, but it must be done with clarity, curiosity, and integrity. Don’t just follow the trend. Define the outcome, align the tools, and empower the humans behind the process. Gavin’s Advice to Auditors: “Focus on the outcome. Know whether you're targeting efficiency, effectiveness, or both. Then ask the right questions, of the AI, and of yourself.” Don’t forget to follow or subscribe to Governance Unplugged on your favorite podcast platform and connect with host Thomas Michel on LinkedIn. Have a guest or topic in mind? Visit keystone-governance.ch to get in touch.

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