News

Boardroom composition, 2 May, 2017
Urban Outfitters faces action over diversity criticism
US clothing retailer faces claims that performance has suffered because of a lack of boardroom diversity.

Criminal Finances Bill, 28 April, 2017
Criminal Finances Bill receives Royal Assent
A Bill to extend the powers of enforcement agencies to recover the proceeds of crime, tackle money laundering, tax evasion and corruption, and combat the financing of terrorism, has received Royal Assent.

Whistleblowing, 28 April, 2017
Barclays’ CEO risks shareholder backlash over whistleblowing scandal
Proxy advisers have proposed that shareholders abstain from voting on the reappointment of Barclays’ chief executive Jes Staley, following his attempt to uncover the identity of a whistleblower.

Remuneration, 28 April, 2017
AstraZeneca shareholders signal concerns over pay
Almost 40% of AstraZeneca shareholders deliver a blow to the pharmaceuticals company, by voting against its annual remuneration report.

Regulation and law, 27 April, 2017
Companies are at risk from failing to invest in compliance, research shows
Annual survey finds compliance officers are not attending all board meetings, while half of companies have ethics and compliance committees.

Fake accounts scandal, 26 April, 2017
Wells Fargo chairman survives vote with slim margin
Shareholders vote to retain the Wells Fargo board, but some directors hold on to their seats with only weak support.

Remuneration, 26 April, 2017
Pay consultant argues LTIPs are ‘effective’, despite calls to end them
Remuneration consultant Mercer Kepler insists that long-term incentive plans are an “effective” executive pay approach after MPs demand no new LTIPs in 2018.

Audit committees, 25 April, 2017
Grant Thornton fined £2.3m over audit of firefighting company
Auditor sanctioned over lack of professional competence and failing to apply scepticism in audit of AssetCo.

Paris Accord, 25 April, 2017
Exxon under pressure over climate change reporting
Shareholders call on oil giant Exxon to produce regular reports on the implications of the Paris Accord, to restrict the rise in global temperature to 2℃.

Responsible Business Week, 24 April, 2017
All employees should be given digital skills
Business in the Community and Accenture call on companies to ensure their employees are fit for the coming digital revolution, by providing them with the right skills.