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The corporate governance section of the website covers a range of issues that affect directors and those on the governing bodies of other types of organisation. Specific policy issues include:
- Corporate governance codes
- The role of the director and the board
- The Companies Act 2006
- Corporate governance in the EU and other countries
- The governance of unlisted companies and public bodies
- Corporate responsibility and sustainability
- Risk management
- The relationship between directors and shareholders
News
Government campaign to encourage a wider range of applicants to public sector boards - 1 March 2010
The Government Equalities Office is currently running a campaign to create a better understanding amongst individuals and wider society of the benefits of holding public appointments. For IoD members, joining the board of a public body - such as the British Museum, an NHS Trust or a government committee - could be a rewarding step, both in terms of career development and as a means of making a positive difference to the community. Further information about public appointments is available here.
Press Notice: 25 February 2010
The IoD comments on proposed changes to the UK Corporate Governance Code.
ecoDa, the European Confederation of Directors’ Associations, is launching its Corporate Governance Guidance and Principles for Unlisted Companies. The launch event will take place on 24 March 2010 at the European Parliament in Brussels. IoD members are welcome to attend. Further information is available at www.ecoda.org.
The IoD comments on the FRC's announcement of a public consultation for the proposed Stewardship Code.
IoD and ICSA launch working group on board performance evaluation - 15 January 2010
The IoD and ICSA have announced the launch of a joint working group on board performance evaluation. The objective of the group is to develop "best practice" guidance on the undertaking of externally facilitated board evaluations. Further details are available from the press release here.
EU publishes study on the effectiveness of "comply or explain"
The European Commission has published a major study on the effectiveness of the corporate governance codes in the 27 EU member states. The IoD – along with its partners at ecoDa and Businesseurope – played a significant role in researching the perceptions of European companies and directors for the report.
The report concludes that the “comply-or-explain” approach adopted by the European Commission in 2006 enjoys wide acceptance from the corporate as well the institutional investor community. However, its practical implementation suffers from some deficiencies. These include unsatisfactory explanations of deviations from the codes from companies, and an inadequate level of monitoring from shareholders. Despite these issues, the comply-or-explain regime should not be abandoned. It should be strengthened. The final report is available here.
Director's Liabilities seminar
For the second year in a row, the IoD held a breakfast seminar that tackled key topics to do with 'Director's Liabilities', hosted by Dr. Neville Bain.
Letter to the Financial Times: 27 November 2009
Dr. Roger Barker comments on the relevance of "high end" remuneration disclosure to non-financial companies.
Press Notice: 26 November 2009
The IoD comments on the final report of the Walker Review.
IoD supports initiative to promote board level volunteering - 3 November 2009
The IoD has voiced its support for a project that seeks to promote the involvement of IoD members as trustees of charities, board members of public bodies, and governors of schools. The project is being coordinated by Getting on Board – a charity that helps individuals find suitable volunteering opportunities. More information is available from Sarah Hodgkinson at info@gettingonboard.org or by calling 01449 744166. The press notice also contains links to various other organisations that can assist directors in finding a board-level position in the voluntary or public sectors.
Corporate Governance Circle meeting - 16 November 2009
Executive Greed – the Source of All Evil? This is the topic that will be addressed by the next meeting of the Corporate Governance Circle on 16 November 2009 (from 5.30pm). The event is being hosted by the Association of British Insurers, and the keynote speakers are Ronnie Fox and John McFall MP, chairman of the Treasury Select Committee. Further details, including instructions on how to register, are available here.
Press Notice: 21 September 2009
The IoD publishes its detailed response to the Walker Review Consultation Document.
Press release
Download The Walker Review of corporate governance – an assessment
Letter to the Financial Times: 18 August 2009
Dr. Roger Barker comments on recently proposed measures to improve board-shareholder engagement.
The IoD hosted a lunch with the FSA on Friday 9 October 2009. The purpose of the lunch was to provide directors with the opportunity to discuss the specific disclosure issues faced by listed companies in the current economic environment. In addition, directors were invited to offer their own comments and experiences of the Continuing Obligations Regime to the FSA.
A speech was given at the meeting by Mike Knight, Head of Company Monitoring at the FSA. The text of this speech can be found here.
IoD responds to the final report of the Treasury Committee on the financial crisis.
The Walker Review of Corporate Governance.
IoD supports enhanced roles for the Bank of England and the MPC in financial regulation.
The proposed EU reform of financial regulation.
ecoDa and ICSA survey on board support in EU companies
ecoDa (The European Confederation of Directors' Associations) and ICSA (The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators) are undertaking a survey of the means by which boards are supported in EU companies. The participation of IoD members in this survey is welcomed. All respondents will receive a summary of the study results. The survey can be accessed here.
IoD conference on NHS governance
The IoD hosted - on the afternoon of 29 June 2009 - a landmark conference on NHS governance. The title of the conference was "The Governance of NHS Trusts: Getting the Balance Right", and was specifically intended for the leaders of NHS Trusts. It explored the key issues involved in achieving an optimal blend of skills and experience on Trust boards. The conference began with keynote addresses from Dr. William Moyes (Chief Executive of Monitor) and Professor Aidan Halligan (UCLH). In addition, Miles Templeman - Director General of the Institute of Directors - presented the IoD’s perspective on the governance of NHS boards. A newly-published IoD guide on the governance of NHS Trusts is available here.
Download Agenda
View Presentation from Doctor Bill Moyes, (Chief Executive of Monitor)
Submissions to Walker and FRC Reviews
Following the IoD's Corporate Governance Summit at the end of May 2009, the IoD has now published its submissions to the Walker and FRC Reviews. These contain 7 specific policy proposals to improve the functioning of the UK corporate governance system in the wake of the financial and economic crisis.
ecoDa News and Information:
The IoD is a member of ecoDa - The European Confederation of Directors' Associations.
About ecoDa:
- ecoDa represents the views of ten European directors' associations. The membership of these national associations covers the entire spectrum of business leadership, from the largest public companies to the smallest private firms;
- Established in 2004, ecoDa represents the views of Company Directors to policy makers within the EU and its institutions. It aims to ensure that Directors' perspectives are taken into account at every step of the decision-making process;
- ecoDa is also a platform for national Directors' Institutes to share best practice on corporate governance;
- The IoD is a founding member of ecoDa and the IoD's Director General, Miles Templeman, was Chairman between 2007 and 2009.
ecoDa Newsletter
Find out more about ecoDa and its activities at: www.ecoda.org
Briefing Papers
The IoD was concerned that the then existing law dealing with manslaughter and work acted unfairly against smaller enterprises as compared with large organisations. The IoD's activities also helped ensure that a new law will apply to a wide range of organisations, and that the penalties for breach of the law are to apply to the organisation itself. Read more>>
Britain's banking system is having a crisis of confidence - is this due to financial regulation or could it relate to broader UK corporate governance issues? The IoD addresses the issue in this highly topical and brand new policy briefing. Read more>>
Latest Publications:
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