Governance
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NEWS: Research, 16 November, 2020
Audit fees increase when foreign investors become majority owners
European study finds that audit fees are 10.5% higher where the largest owner is foreign rather than domestic.
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NEWS: Corporate reporting, 12 November, 2020
FRC says climate disclosures are ‘failing to meet investor expectations’
Review by the UK regulator finds there is "little evidence" that business models and strategy are being influenced by climate considerations.
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COMMENT: Corporate disclosures, 10 November, 2020
How 2020 has sparked acceleration to a comprehensive reporting system
This crisis year has underlined the importance of integrated reporting to achieving global financial stability and sustainable development.
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NEWS: US election, 9 November, 2020
Biden presidency set to bring corporate governance shift
The election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris puts the spotlight on US corporate governance and the way businesses are run.
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NEWS: Strategy, 5 November, 2020
Dividend payouts set to resume after pandemic-related cuts
Analysts predict UK firms are likely to pay out £32.7bn in dividends between now and June 2021—although many boards are debating the ethics.
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NEWS: Corporate governance, 3 November, 2020
Brussels pushes ahead with project for new European governance
Consultation adds new obligations on human rights and stakeholder interests to a raft of measures encouraging long-term value creation.
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NEWS: Disclosures, 30 October, 2020
BlackRock backs global sustainability reporting standards
The fund manager says investors and corporates need common and comparable data, amid IFRS consultation on global sustainability reporting.
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NEWS: Legislation, 28 October, 2020
Governance experts call for US Stakeholder Capitalism Act
The proposed Act would give directors and investors revised fiduciary duties "that extend beyond responsibility for financial return".
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INSIGHT: Corporate governance, 26 October, 2020
The ICGN Global Stewardship Principles: 2020 revisions
The updated ICGN GSP reflect shifts in market practice and regulation, as well as evolving attitudes towards stewardship.
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NEWS: Strategy, 23 October, 2020
Business leaders want incentives to spur switch to ‘purposeful’ companies
British Academy study reveals 63% of firms are taking steps to become more purposeful, while 55% think there should be government incentives.
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INSIGHT: Strategy, 22 October, 2020
How hedge fund activists influence target firms
Understanding settlement agreements is important to see the complete picture of the corporate governance landscape.
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NEWS: Financial disclosures, 22 October, 2020
FRC issues further warning over Covid and corporate reporting
The watchdog is maintaining pressure on companies to be transparent in reporting the impact of the pandemic on their prospects.
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NEWS: Technology, 13 October, 2020
Changes to company constitutions ‘could allow use of AI on the board’
While a number of directors' tasks could be “augmented”—or entirely substituted—by the use of AI, questions remain over liability.
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NEWS: Board composition, 6 October, 2020
LGIM says it’s ‘time for action’ to boost ethnic diversity on boards
Fund manager warns FTSE 100 nomco chairs that it will vote against reappointments “if they fail to meet expectations on ethnic diversity”.
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NEWS: Board members, 5 October, 2020
Nominations open for the Non-Executive Director Awards 2021
The NED Awards 2021 will recognise how non-executive directors are helping to guide firms through political and economic uncertainty.
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NEWS: Board skills, 2 October, 2020
Board directors ‘lack specific sustainability knowledge’
The latest Sustainability Board Report highlights a lack of sustainability knowledge among directors, with experts warning of potential litigation risk.
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NEWS: Reputational risk, 29 September, 2020
Businesses ‘can play important role in stemming executive misconduct’
US academic calls for an end to non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), changes in the use of arbitration and better reporting of complaints.
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NEWS: Corporate governance, 25 September, 2020
Boohoo board in the firing line over governance failings
Report by Alison Levitt QC criticises the fashion retailer's board for presiding over "unacceptable" working conditions posing "a significant risk of disaster".
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INSIGHT: Corporate culture, 25 September, 2020
How good governance can stop toxic ‘bro behaviour’ at companies
Boards and directors are the instigators, nurturers and custodians of one of an organisation’s most critical assets: its culture.
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INSIGHT: Board composition, 24 September, 2020
Gender diversity on boards pays dividends—but inequality persists
Evidence shows that diversity on boards boosts financial performance. So why are some firms still failing to reach gender targets?