Comment
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COMMENT: Governance, 30 May, 2023
Hybrid AGMs maximise shareholder participation
Avoid virtual-only annual general meetings: although pragmatic in an emergency, they water down shareholders’ rights.
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COMMENT: ESG, 15 May, 2023
ESG: Should E and S break up with G?
In the world of investing, maturity has revealed significant practical shortcomings in combining environmental, social and governance.
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COMMENT: Governance, 24 April, 2023
The politics and geopolitics of controlling shareholders
Shareholders with a controlling interest influence not only financial matters but can also wield great power over policy and politics.
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COMMENT: ESG, 30 March, 2023
Let’s talk about ‘regenerative business’, not sustainability
Sustainability and net-zero commitments may not be enough. We need companies to take a long-term view of ESG and promote regeneration.
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INSIGHT: Board expertise, 23 February, 2023
Being a CEO in 2023: how to navigate uncertainty
Agility, planning in the shorter term and bravery will all stand chief executives in good stead in another unpredictable year.
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Human rights, 5 December, 2022
A week of business moving to the centre of human rights
A week of events signals the initiatives underway to have companies play a central role in protecting the rights of people and communities.
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COMMENT: Audit reform, 25 November, 2022
Why we need audit reform right now
There is an "urgent need" for reform to the audit landscape as well as internal audit, the Chartered IIA argues.
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INSIGHT: Executive pay, 21 November, 2022
Why are ‘ethical’ executives still highly paid?
The way the labour market works—or fails to work—presents a dilemma for remuneration committees when it comes to executive pay.
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COMMENT: Climate change, 16 November, 2022
Sustainability and climate change: the other energy crisis
The world is addicted to cheap energy. We need to admit this and have the courage to put oil, gas, and coal into stewardship.
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COMMENT: ESG, 12 October, 2022
Can ESG be saved?
There's a storm brewing. We need to radically change the definition of governance if ESG is going to survive it.
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Comment: Investor Relations, 29 September, 2022
The rise of corporate democracy
After BlackRock’s move to expand voting choice to its clients, other investors will rightly be expecting their companies to follow suit.
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COMMENT: Whistleblowing, 2 September, 2022
The Secret NED: whistleblowing and the board
Formal whistleblowing means trouble, not only for the obvious reason, but because it shows the organisation failed to address valid concerns.
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COMMENT: Cyber disclosure, 15 August, 2022
Are cyber disclosure demands too high?
Organisations increasingly struggle with cybersecurity as they balance fear of reputational damage against cyber disclosure requirements.
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COMMENT: ESG, 25 July, 2022
ESG is not a ‘distraction’
We must not let ESG become a scapegoat for the systemic failure of our society to address global warming and climate change.
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COMMENT: Governance, 1 July, 2022
The 30-year itch: time to ditch the UK Corporate Governance Code
Now that governance has come of age, businesses should be able to innovate within the boundaries of good regulation.
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COMMENT: Ethics, 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.
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COMMENT: Strategy, 9 June, 2022
Why risk perception is vital
It is easy to see the tragic situation unfolding in Ukraine in terms of a failure of risk perception by both Russia and the West.
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COMMENT: Psychology, 24 May, 2022
Why emotional intelligence is essential for successful leadership
Cold logic is not a vote winner for politicians or board members. Sir Keir Starmer needs to focus on his feelings.
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INSIGHT: Corporate purpose, 29 April, 2022
What’s a company for? Milton Friedman responds
The ongoing lively debate about corporate purpose has caused me to reflect further on the dialogue between Milton Friedman and Socrates...
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COMMENT: Strategy, 21 March, 2022
How to sink a reputation: lessons from the P&O Ferries crisis
The company has destroyed the trust of passengers and employees, and demonstrated the consequences of making decisions based only on cost.