News
Corporate purpose, 18 December, 2019
BlackRock challenged to provide details of stakeholder pledge
A campaign group has lodged a shareholder resolution demanding BlackRock reports on how it will shift its priorities from “shareholders” to “stakeholders”.
Financial reporting, 16 December, 2019
FRC is ‘working on a UK version of Sarbanes–Oxley’
One of the Kingman review’s key recommendations for reforming audit was a version of US Sarbox rules, a proposal supported by many audit committee chairs.
Research, 13 December, 2019
Survey launches to reveal boardroom risk thinking
Companies are operating in a world of unprecedented risk. But do boards have the skills to manage these risks—and are they prepared for the future?
Executive remuneration, 13 December, 2019
UK CEOs ‘not incentivised’ to focus on their environmental impact
Just 6% of UK chief executives have a KPI related to the environment, with less than 1% having long-term incentives linked to this area.
Legal, 10 December, 2019
Anti-bribery and corruption efforts ‘compromised’ by poor procedures
More than half of anti-bribery and corruption procedures and 40% of risk assessments examined by consultancy GoodCorporation were rated “inadequate”.
Sustainable finance, 10 December, 2019
European agreement on sustainable business taxonomy divides opinion
European institutions have agreed a taxonomy of sustainable economic activity, but critics warn it could impose “unjustified additional burdens” on firms.
Regulation, 6 December, 2019
Norway pushes for mandatory human rights due diligence
Draft act imposes a duty for firms to know the “salient risks” to human rights in direct operations and provides a “right to information” about any impact.
Board diversity, 4 December, 2019
FTSE 100 boards fail to improve BAME representation
Increase in gender diversity is not matched by black, Asian and minority ethnic representation, with people of colour “super-glued to the corporate floor”.
Research, 3 December, 2019
Audit committees ‘need a makeover’ to help fix audit
Academics warn that committees require corporate governance expertise, greater independence and sufficient time if they are to ensure high-quality audit.
COMMENT: Governance reform, 28 November, 2019
A manifesto for UK leadership on corporate governance
The next government must increase the accountability of the corporate governance system to society and encourage a focus on long-term, sustainable business.