Governance
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NEWS: HMRC, 23 August, 2021
MPs call for new parliamentary committee to scrutinise tax deals
All-Party Parliamentary Group argues for greater transparency around tax deals struck by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and big corporates.
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INSIGHT: Board expertise, 23 August, 2021
What is ‘independent judgment’—and how should board directors use it?
Directors are obliged to exercise independent judgment in their decision-making. But there is little guidance on what this means in practice.
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INSIGHT: Governance, 16 August, 2021
Boards need to stop ESG greenwashing and recognise reputational threats
There is no standard measure of environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance—and the system is largely being used as greenwash.
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COMMENT: Regulation, 12 August, 2021
We need clearer, more consistent information on ESG
US financial watchdogs are consulting on the introduction of ESG reporting for US companies. Nell Minow makes the case for better data.
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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.
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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".
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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.
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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.
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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’”.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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NEWS: Legislation, 7 July, 2021
Calls grow for tougher rules on human rights in supply chains
The Corporate Justice Coalition says the UK cannot be viewed as a leader on human rights based upon the current Modern Slavery Act.
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NEWS: Regulation, 6 July, 2021
Audit reform consultation set to close as dissenting voices emerge
Lack of ownership reform and plans to extend the definition of “public interest entity" have drawn criticism from prominent figures.
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NEWS: Research, 5 July, 2021
Good governance boosts companies’ CSR performance
Study concludes that “corporate board reforms... appear to have a positive spillover for non-financial stakeholders”.
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NEWS: Shareholders, 2 July, 2021
Boardroom pay revolts are on the rise as investors seek restraint
Analysis by Board Agenda reveals that pay revolts in the first half of 2021 are up on the same period last year by 51%.
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NEWS: Remuneration, 1 July, 2021
Executive remuneration models ‘do not describe how pay is actually set’
Researchers have interviewed non-executive directors and investors to highlight the hidden factors involved in CEO pay decisions.
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NEWS: Strategy, 30 June, 2021
OECD warns that Covid-19 requires a governance response
Corporate governance will play a "crucial role" in supporting the recovery of economies after Covid, according to OECD chief Mathias Cormann.