Board Agenda 004

Financial crisis, 13th January 2017

OECD: governance a weapon in the battle against inequality

Chief of staff at the OECD argues improved governance forms part of the answer to rising inequality and a full recovery from the financial crisis.
Shareholder engagement, 22nd August 2017

Amended Shareholder Rights Directive implemented

An amendment to the EU Shareholder Rights Directive aims to encourage effective and sustainable shareholder engagement in listed companies in EU member states.
Taxi, 22nd September 2017

Uber loses licence over ‘lack of corporate responsibility’

Transport for London removes Uber's right to trade as a taxi company in London over issues such as reporting crime, and software that could block regulatory access to its smartphone app.
Corporate governance Netherlands, 18th September 2017

Long-term value at heart of revised Dutch governance code

The revised Dutch Corporate Governance Code places importance on long-term value creation, and the development of corporate culture to promote good corporate governance.
Governance ranking, 10th October 2017

Diageo tops rankings in IoD’s good governance report

The Institute of Directors' annual ranking of listed UK companies for their good governance sees distiller lead the way.
Pay ratio reporting, 29th August 2017

Publishing pay ratios is ‘crude’, but are a ‘step in the right direction’

Business groups are largely in favour of the government's planned law to publish pay ratios, but the TUC describes the 'tick-box' approach as 'feeble'.
Diversity, 28th September 2017

European banking authorities urge greater diversity among managers

European financial institutions should improve the diversity of their management bodies to overcome the risk of ‘group think’ and ensure sound governance, say European banking authorities in new guidelines published this week.
Sustainable business models, 25th September 2017

Boards need ‘protection’ from short-term shareholders

The short-term nature of stock exchange business models hampers the ability of boards to focus on long-term goals, says directors' association.
Banking, 20th September 2017

Audit firm KPMG cleared over HBOS audit after 2007 financial crisis

Investigation into audit of HBOS by Big Four audit firm KPMG is closed after regulator finds KPMG's work "did not fall significantly short" of expected standards.
Boardroom diversity, 17th August 2017

Ethnic minority pipeline to FTSE100 boards rises; existing number falls

The number of people from ethnic minorities in "pipeline" roles to the top FTSE100 jobs has increased to 5%, but the current number sitting on boards has fallen by 18%, a new report finds.
Annual reports, 2nd November 2017

Firms fail to digitise bulky annual reports

Despite efforts to trim their bulk, the battle against the ever-increasing length of annual reports has been lost. Meanwhile, companies have also failed to take the opportunities offered by using digital formats, writes Kevin Reed.
Effective board leadership, 8th September 2017

Board chair practices across the world: an INSEAD study

In the second part of their global INSEAD report on successful board chairs, Stanislav Shekshnia and Veronika Zagieva compare factors such as culture, shareholder and executive relationships, and meeting preparation.
Chairmen, 28th April 2016

Hermes criticises Schroders over chairman’s role

Investment management firm opposes the promotion of Schroders' chief executive to chairman.
Corporate governance Netherlands, 20th September 2017

Dutch directors’ association calls for trust-based governance

The Dutch Association of Directors has urged the Dutch government to consider a new approach to corporate governance that is based on trust, to help enable "chance and change".
Economic crime, 20th June 2016

Crime in the making

In May David Cameron announced his intention to introduce a new corporate offence: failing to prevent an economic crime. Simon Airey and Joshua Domb discuss what it means for boards.
French labour law, 6th September 2017

French entrepreneur body calls for wider application of labour law reforms

French syndicate Medef has suggested that labour law reforms, announced last week by president Emmanuel Macron, should be applied to a wider range of companies.
Gender diversity Asia, 13th September 2017

Malaysia to disclose companies lacking female board members

Malaysian companies that lack female board directors will be named and shamed, and barred from bidding for government contracts.
Merger regulation, 12th September 2017

EU merger ruling for new joint ventures ‘welcome’

The European Court of Justice has ruled that only "full-function" joint ventures will be subject to EU merger control, a clarification to the law that has been widely welcomed.
Governance Asia, 13th September 2017

Hong Kong firms see improvement in corporate governance

Public companies listed on two Hong Kong indices have seen a major improvement in corporate governance, but there is still work to do, according to PwC Hong Kong.
Anti-money laundering law, 7th July 2017

New Zealand announces new anti-money laundering initiatives

New Zealand's government is cracking down on anti-money laundering, with the aim of shutting down the financing of terrorism across Asia and targeting dodgy bank boards.
Corporate crime, 3rd October 2017

Corporate tax evasion crimes added to Criminal Finances Act

Failure to prevent the facilitation of UK and foreign tax evasion have been implemented as new corporate offences under the Criminal Finances Act.
Global risk, 10th October 2017

Risk hotspots: a global roundup

Board Agenda reports on risk-related convulsions across the globe, from Spain’s constitutional crisis to Washington’s ongoing conflict with North Korea.
Sustainable Development Goals, 6th November 2017

Sustainable development means securing the future of business

It's time to recognise that sustainable development is a strategic issue that can secure the future of business, as well as securing a better future for people and planet, says Jonathan Labrey of the IIRC.
Governance South Africa, 3rd November 2017

South Africa needs a stepped-up approach to governance

With South Africa's economy facing more tough times ahead, an increased focus on stewardship is vital. King IV should be used as a platform for good governance practices, argues Robert Lewenson.
Employees on boards, 20th November 2017

There’s still everything to gain from having workers on boards

Despite the government’s U-turn, there remains a good case for companies to bring employees into the boardroom, says Janet Williamson of the TUC.
Corporate governance, 3rd November 2017

View from the chair: Ken Olisa on good governance

The debate over good governance should be led by practitioners, not regulators, but companies need a deeper understanding of how their boards operate, says Ken Olisa of the Institute of Directors.
European culture survey, 6th November 2017

European survey: boards struggle with culture

New research from Board Agenda, conducted in association with Mazars and INSEAD, reveals that while some boards recognise the value of corporate culture, a significant number are still grappling to give it adequate time and attention.
Mergers & acquisitions, 31st October 2017

M&A post-crisis: the changing role of the NED

As M&A deal activity recovers from post-crisis lows, non-executives are becoming increasingly involved in the pre-deal planning process.
Stewardship Code Japan, 13th November 2017

Origins of investor stewardship and the Japan code

Abenomics brought a host of changes to Japan, not least the introduction of a new stewardship code for investors. The code is now being updated with new guidance, explains Kerrie Waring of the ICGN.
Risk and reputation, 4th December 2017

Risk management: prevention is better than cure

The real skill in risk management is not preventing past crises from recurring, but learning from them and identifying root causes to prevent them happening at all, explains Anthony Fitzsimmons of Reputability.
Integrated reporting, 8th November 2017

Non-execs need the right skills for effective integrated reporting

Integrated reporting is gaining in popularity, but it needs the right skills among non-executives if their credibility is to be enforced, writes Prof. Carol Adams, professor of accounting at Durham University.
Sustainability, 13th October 2017

Enduring institutions prosper through serving society

The drive for sustainability has to some extent undermined the concept of shareholder value. Denis Kilroy argues that the key strategy companies should be pursuing is creating ongoing value and wealth.
Diversity, 7th November 2017

The barriers to getting more women on boards can be overcome

The barriers preventing women entering boardrooms in greater numbers are various and complex, but new recruiting policies, female networks and mentoring schemes can all be used to help women climb higher.
Sustainable business, 1st November 2017

Sense in sustainability: the changing focus for boards

Boards are beginning to acknowledge that sustainability is no longer a siloed concept, but a crucial strategy that lies at the heart of responsible, profitable business, with long-term rewards for both stakeholders and society.
ESG reporting, 15th November 2017

Too many ESG measures lead to reporting fatigue

Environment, social and governance have become critical issues in the way investors judge companies, but corporates face too many ESG measures suffering from too little standardisation.
Climate change, 27th November 2017

Every board has a role in the transition to a low-carbon economy

Climate change has placed a premium on moving to sustainable business models and a low-carbon economy. The task will need “positivity of purpose“ and “informed assessment“ of climate risks, writes Tom Delay of the Carbon Trust.
Gender diversity in leadership, 1st December 2017

There’s no merit in untapped female talent for board roles

We may know the benefits of gender diversity in theory, but in reality there are still too few women on boards. Setting targets and challenging unconscious bias could help, argues Fiona Hathorn, MD of Women on Boards.
Interview: Daniel Schmid on sustainable business, 24th November 2017

Sustaining momentum: Daniel Schmid, SAP

SAP is a global trailblazer in sustainability. The German software giant’s Daniel Schmid reveals how other business leaders can follow suit.
Interview: David Nussbaum on sustainability, 17th November 2017

Well connected: David Nussbaum, Drax

Sustainability guru David Nussbaum has been appointed to the board of energy giant Drax, a company that he says is already on the right path to embracing the new, more responsible business environment in which we live.
Interview: Robert Swannell on sustainability, 9th November 2017

A leading role for the future: Robert Swannell, M&S

As Robert Swannell departs Marks & Spencer as chairman, he tells Board Agenda that he is optimistic about the role of M&S and wider business in a more sustainable, engaged and happy society.
Intangible assets, 25th October 2017

Uncovering and understanding the hidden value of intangible assets

Eighty percent or more of an average company’s value could lie in its intangible assets. Understanding the hidden value of a business is the key to communicating its importance to stakeholders.
Data regulation, 14th November 2017

Business data: why it now falls under the competition regulators’ spotlight

Possession of and access to data has become central to modern business. Nigel Parr of law firm Ashurst says it has become so important that it is now a key issue for competition watchdogs.
China, 27th October 2017

Overcoming difference as Chinese investment in Europe grows

Chinese appetite for European investment has become ever more sophisticated, but it still pays for both parties to be aware of cultural and operational differences that may arise.
Boardroom technology, 6th November 2017

How technology could transform board evaluations

Reforms to corporate governance could require greater board evaluation, but this needn’t be a headache. Technology in the shape of an external evaluation tool can help give businesses an edge, especially in the collection and anonymisation of data.
Crisis management, 27th October 2017

Crisis management: the key to a sound corporate reputation

Risk monitoring and detailed contingency planning can help a firm with a reputation under fire, but boards looking ahead by a decade or more are the leaders best placed to see off existential threats.
Shareholder Rights Directive, 1st November 2017

Advancing to a state of readiness: the new Shareholder Rights Directive

All parties in the shareholder communication chain need to prepare for the enhanced requirements of the new Shareholder Rights Directive—and try to influence its local implementation to encourage a harmonised approach. Broadridge’s Demi Derem and Elizabeth Maiellano highlight the key changes and challenges.
Information security, 3rd November 2017

Why directors should learn to love cybersecurity

It’s time for boards to take control of their organisations’ cybersecurity at a time when the threat to data security has never been so severe.
COMMENT: Sustainable business, 13th November 2017

The Secret NED: why boards must think seriously about sustainability

It's time for boards to wake up to the fact that survival depends upon sustainability in its widest sense—including the need to adapt.