Board Agenda 002
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Reputation management, 5th October 2017
Reputation for the long term requires a change of attitude
Ensuring long-term success is about protecting reputation. But it may mean a painful adjustment from short to long-term thinking and to a more inclusive form of capitalism.
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Governance reform, 16th February 2017
FRC to launch ‘fundamental’ review of UK governance code
Financial Reporting Council will review UK Corporate Governance Code once outcome of government's own reform consultation is complete.
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Worker representatives, 10th March 2017
Employee representative ‘will do little’ to fix Sports Direct governance
Institute of Directors' Oliver Parry says appointing a worker representative to the board of Sports Direct is not enough to resolve the company's governance failings.
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Banking, 2nd February 2017
RBS rejects call for shareholder committee
Bank turns down request for shareholder committee in favour of engagement with employees, customers and suppliers.
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Sustainability, 18th January 2017
Corporates receive call to heed UN sustainability goals
Businesses face call to fully integrate UN sustainability goals into their strategies.
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ESG, 13th March 2017
M&S and BHP Billiton lead new human rights benchmark
New Corporate Human Rights Benchmark launches with M&S and BHP Billiton leading the rankings.
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Governance reform, 28th February 2017
UK governance needs radical overhaul to make business ‘purposeful’
Think-tank issues 22 recommendations calling for change to governance, asset managers and accountancy.
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UK Plc governance, 14th January 2017
Governance leaders to produce guidance on UK board decision-making
ICSA: the Governance Institute and the Investment Association have launched a project to ensure UK Plc boards factor the views of their employees and other stakeholders into their decision-making.
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German corporate governance, 28th February 2017
Revised German Corporate Governance Code urges ‘ethical behaviour’
Changes to Germany’s Corporate Governance Code focus on greater transparency, ethical standards and sustainability.
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Investor Stewardship Group, 1st February 2017
US investors reveal deadline for new governance principles
Investor group managing $17trn starts countdown to implementation of new governance guidelines, including the end of dual class shares and the introduction of annual votes for board re-election.
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Supply chain risk, 25th January 2017
Inadequate supplier monitoring puts large firms at risk
Due diligence carried out by global firms on their suppliers, distributors and third-party relationships is not high enough, says report.
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Audit committees, 22nd March 2017
Why audit committees worry about risk management systems
Audit committees are worried that boards have failed to grasp the risk nettle. Diversity of thought, and agility to react to change, should be central to good governance.
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Indian stewardship, 20th March 2017
India to reform stewardship code
The Financial Stability and Development Council of India, a body chaired by the country’s Union finance minister, has proposed that a panel of financial regulators be formed to develop a new stewardship code for investors.
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Gender pay gap, 28th February 2017
Gender pay gap regulation looms for large UK companies
In a bid to tackle the gender pay gap, large companies in the UK will be obliged to publish annual gender-based pay statistics from April 2017.
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Tax, 1st March 2017
Draft EU tax directive on ‘hybrid mismatches’ agreed
A draft Directive regarding "hybrid mismatches" with third countries' tax systems has been agreed by the Council of the EU.
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Gender diversity, 15th January 2017
New gender quotas come into force for large French companies
Large French companies will now be required to have at least 40% of female board members.
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Money laundering, 28th February 2017
Money laundering could be judged under criminal law
The European Commission proposes money laundering made a criminal offence if conducted intentionally.
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Great Repeal Bill, 20th January 2017
Great Repeal Bill planned after Brexit to replace EU laws
The UK government plans to implement a "Great Repeal Bill" following the UK's official withdrawal from the EU, which would replace or remove all EU laws.
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Chinese anti-corruption, 5th March 2017
China to enhance anti-corruption legislation
China will move forward its anti-corruption legislation by drafting a national supervision law, with the revised version scheduled to be submitted to the NPC Standing Committee for review within the year.
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Shareholder rights, 25th January 2017
Shareholder Rights Directive changes agreed by EU
Shareholder Rights Directive to be amended, in order to strengthen shareholder engagement and increase transparency.
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Regulation, 25th January 2017
Legal and regulatory roundup
Legal and regulatory news from around the globe: Shareholder Rights Directive, payment practices, watchdog's request for new powers, and risk and due diligence.
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Risk, 18th April 2017
Risk hotspots — tremors from around the world
Board Agenda reports on a handful of risk-related tremors from around the world, from Trump's protectionist policies, to Uber CEO's embarrassing taxi quarrel.
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Interview: Kerrie Waring, ICGN, 27th May 2016
Stewardship, non-financial reporting and engagement
The International Corporate Governance Network celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Executive director Kerrie Waring looks back on changes in governance, what the priorities are now and what the future may hold.
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Integrated reporting, 26th April 2017
Long-term thinking: a key principle of 21st-century governance
The shift to integrated reporting may not be easy, but Richard Howitt of the International Integrated Reporting Council argues that if we are to create long-term value, it is crucial to embed it as a key governance principle.
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ESG, 31st March 2017
Integrated thinking can create long-term value
The concept of value has changed over the past decade; now, there is growing realisation that a more holistic, inclusive approach to business is the way forward.
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Interview: Vanda Murray, Fenner, 31st March 2017
View from the chair: Vanda Murray
Vanda Murray's appointment as chairman of Fenner plc last year was a baptism of fire, but she has risen to the challenge, despite increased directorial pressure.
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Executive pay reform, 7th April 2017
Transparency should be at the heart of executive pay reform
Executive pay levels have caused rows and debate across Europe. The answer for many is increased transparency.
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Modern slavery reporting, 29th March 2017
Why UK companies cannot ignore modern slavery reporting
Companies in the UK now have to produce a report detailing their efforts to beat modern slavery in their supply chains. Some have clearly thought this through. But the poor reporting of others is "worrying".
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Rolls-Royce, 10th April 2017
Rolls-Royce: after the shocks and blows, can it get back on course?
Rolls-Royce was once the darling of the aerospace sector. But heavy financial losses and a corruption scandal present challenges for the new CEO, and sheds light on risks and behaviour in the defence industry.
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Boardroom behaviour, 8th October 2016
How conflict makes for effective boards
Harmonious boards may not be the most effective. Eelke Heemskerk explores why the right kind of conflict can improve your board performance.
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Boardroom skills, 5th October 2017
Information asymmetry is good for effective boards
Commentators often complain that non-executives need more information. But recent research suggests that it is information asymmetry that actually makes non-executives effective.
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Whistleblowing, 11th April 2017
Speak up: how to encourage whistleblowing in your organisation
Corporate malpractice is damaging to a company and its reputation, but many employees are unaware of whistleblowing procedures, or they fear retaliation if they do speak out.
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Leadership, 24th April 2017
How to spot the narcissist in the boardroom
Manipulative, self-centred, ruthless—power-hungry leaders will put their own interests before those of the organisation they serve. Katharina Balazs explains how to recognise and deal with the narcissist in your midst.
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Robotics, 21st April 2017
How robotics can bring UK manufacturing up to speed
The use of robots and automation is growing but the UK lags behind other countries. What is needed is leadership to define a vision for manufacturing in the future, says Mike Wilson.
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Blockchain, 3rd April 2017
Blockchain: the technology of choice for decentralised, secure transactions
With the exponential growth of non-cash transactions and digital currencies such as Bitcoin, the need for a decentralised system is paramount. Enter blockchain.
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Non-financial reporting, 10th May 2018
Reporting directive paves way for improved accountability
The EU Non-Financial Reporting Directive places more responsibilities on companies and provides the basis for a new model of corporate accountability.
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Interview: Steve Waygood, Aviva, 29th March 2017
A good investment: Steve Waygood
Focus on environmental, social and governance issues has in the past been lacking in the investment industry, but interest is finally on the ascendant, says Steve Waygood, chief responsible investment officer at Aviva.
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Interview: Tim Haywood, Interserve, 2nd May 2017
Integrated implementation: Tim Haywood
Interserve has become a golden example of integrated reporting. Group finance director Tim Haywood talks about the pain of implementing integrated reporting, and the need for measures of substance.
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Interview: Fiona Reynolds, PRI, 19th June 2017
A matter of principle: Fiona Reynolds
Since its inception in 2006, the PRI has made inroads into ensuring that investors properly address ESG. But, there is much work to be done if it is to meet its goal of doing itself out of a job.
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Diversity, 27th March 2017
Diversity now means more than gender
Boards have so far focused on tackling gender diversity, but the next frontier is a better mix of social, ethnic and educational backgrounds.
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Digital strategy, 27th March 2017
Why every business needs a digital strategy
Technology is an increasingly crucial element of business models. Nick Elverston and Amanda Hale of law firm Ashurst explore key questions when preparing a digital strategy.
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Digital communication, 27th March 2017
Flexibility is key for the digital boardroom
Boardrooms need a secure and foolproof approach to managing sensitive company information, says Mark Edge, UK MD of Brainloop.
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Data security, 27th March 2017
Boardrooms should heed new frontiers in personal data security
Personal data security is increasingly important, but many companies may not be ready to comply with tougher data protection laws.
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Communication technology, 27th March 2017
Technology key to secure boardroom communication
A communications gap in the boardroom will only get wider unless members embrace new technology, says Blake Stephenson, Nasdaq Corporate Solutions.
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Digital collaboration, 27th March 2017
Why culture matters with digital start-up collaboration
Digital collaboration between a large, traditional company and a technology start-up could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship—as long as careful consideration is given to the compatibility of corporate culture and values.
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COMMENT: Remuneration, 19th May 2017
The Secret NED: the trials of the remuneration chair
It's undoubtedly a tough job, especially in this pay-sensitive climate. So why would anyone want to be remuneration chair?