Governance
COMMENT: Ethical business, 11 August, 2021
The UK has gone from leader to laggard on business and human rights
As new laws emerge around Europe, it’s time for the UK to hold business liable for human rights abuses in supply chains around the world.
NEWS: Technology, 5 August, 2021
Changes to company law would enable use of ‘robot directors’
Researchers say that the use of artificial intelligence on boards “is possible with minor reconsiderations to the current legislation”.
NEWS: Governance, 29 July, 2021
Pay experts recommend a revamp of remco responsibilities
High Pay Centre and CIPD call for remuneration committees to review workforce pay and oversee people issues and workplace culture.
NEWS: Investors, 27 July, 2021
BlackRock voting report reveals focus on independence and diversity
The fund manager voted against the reappointment of 6,560 directors around the world between the beginning of July 2020 and end of June 2021.
NEWS: Governance, 23 July, 2021
Stubborn group of ‘bubble-bound’ boards ‘do not treat diversity as a priority’
Study says selection processes are “distorted by the assumption that those who do not resemble existing board members are less ‘impressive’”.
NEWS: Governance, 22 July, 2021
FRC report calls for more diversity on nominations committees
Nominations committees must be more diverse themselves if they are to boost diversity in their organisations, says a report for the Financial Reporting Council.
NEWS: Analysis, 19 July, 2021
UK sees fall in number of shareholder votes against directors’ re-election
In H1 there have been 38 significant shareholder votes against individual directors, the lowest six-month total in four years.
NEWS: Governance, 15 July, 2021
Shareholder votes on climate action plans ‘more complex’ than expected
Report reveals that since 2019 only 32 companies have agreed to submit their climate action plans to a shareholder vote.
NEWS: Shareholders, 13 July, 2021
ESG activism ‘likely to proliferate’ following ExxonMobil vote
Academic argues that the Exxon/Engine No.1 case could be a template for how to make companies confront climate risk.
NEWS: Regulation, 12 July, 2021
Directors’ duties: more enforcement needed to drive action on climate
Directors have a “fiduciary duty” to consider climate change risks, say experts—but legal action is unlikely unless enforcement is beefed up.