Roger Barker

Dr. Roger M. Barker is head of corporate governance at the Institute of Directors, and managing director of Barker and Associates, a corporate governance advisory firm. He is a UK member of the European Economic and Social Committee (the EU advisory body), senior advisor to the board of the European Confederation of Directors' Associations (ecoDa) and chairman of the ecoDa Education Programme for European Directors. Dr. Barker is honorary associate at the Centre for Ethics and Law at University College London and a visiting lecturer at Saïd Business School, Oxford, and Cass Business School, London. He is also the holder of a doctorate from Oxford University and the author of numerous books and articles on corporate governance and board effectiveness, including: "Corporate Governance and Investment Management: The Promises and Limitations of the New Financial Economy" (Edward Elgar, 2017). A former investment banker, Dr. Barker spent almost 15 years in a variety of equity research and senior management roles at UBS and Bank Vontobel.

Latest Articles by Roger M. Barker

  1. U-turn on audit reform

    6 November, 2023

    An uncomfortable U-turn on audit reform

    The government’s bonfire of the regulations expected for audit reform creates a source of uncertainty for business.
  1. board control

    26 September, 2023

    Are boards losing control?

    We need to ensure that regulations do not inappropriately reduce a board’s ability to take decisions in the best interests of the company.
  1. notebook on boardroom table

    27 June, 2022

    The UK needs a code of conduct for company directors

    A formal code of conduct for company directors would signal their willingness to apply high ethical standards in governance and leadership.
  1. 2020 sign

    2 January, 2020

    Key trends in corporate governance for 2020

    Five leading voices in corporate governance explain their priorities—and predictions—for the year ahead.
  1. Stewardship, investment, institutional investors

    14 March, 2018

    The promises and limitations of institutional investors

    Policymakers believe that investment institutions can be persuaded to take a greater role in corporate governance. But do they really possess the willingness and capacity to embrace their stewardship role?