Corporate Governance

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

       

ecoDa Annual conference - "Comply or Explain: Preserving Governance Flexibility with Quality Explanations"

The European Confederation of Directors' Associations (ecoDa) is holding its annual conference on Tuesday 27th March (from 8:45 to 14:30) at the Residence Palace in Brussels. A high-level panel of policy makers and experts will share their thoughts on the functioning of the Comply or Explain principle.

The “comply or explain” principle has played a useful role in offering an incentive for continuous improvement in Corporate Governance practices. However, a debate is underway about proposals to improve the existing model and promote meaningful and verifiable explanations.

Confirmed speakers include:

  • Eric Ducoulombier, Acting Head of Unit, Unit F-2 -European Commission
  • Eddy Wymeersch, Chairman, the European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI)
  • Jean-Nicolas Caprasse, Director ISS - Europe, European Governance Head
  • Jaap Winter, Partner, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek
  • Herman Daems, Chairman of the Commission Corporate Governance Belgium and Chairman of BNP-Paribas Fortis & Barco
  • Peter Montagnon, Senior Investment Adviser, Financial Reporting Council
  • Lutgart Van den Berghe, Executive Director, GUBERNA
  • Simon Walker, Director General, IoD.

For further details, including registration, see the following conference programme:

       

IoD champions next stage of Red Tape Challenge: 26 January – 15 February 2012

Dr. Roger Barker, Head of Corporate Governance at the IoD, has been appointed by the Government as Company Law Champion in the next stage of the Red Tape Challenge. The Red Tape Challenge was launched by the Prime Minister in April 2011. It gives business and the public the chance to have their say on regulations in a number of key policy areas.

For a three week period - between 26th January and 16th February 2012 – the focus of the Red Tape Challenge is Company Law. The IoD will work with its members and the wider UK business community to consider ways in which company law regulations can be improved, simplified or abolished. As Company Law Champion, Dr. Barker will assist the Government in the evaluation of proposed changes. He will seek to champion any proposals that could lead to a simplified and more business-friendly legal framework.

IoD members and other interested parties are invited to submit their views on company law regulation to the Government’s Red Tape Challenge website (www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk). Alternatively, they can send their comments directly to Dr. Barker at the IoD (roger.barker@iod.com). Further background concerning the current framework of UK company law is available in the following briefing paper.

       

European Corporate Governance Conference – 5 and 6 March 2012

The European Confederation of Directors’ Associations (ecoDa) is running the next in its regular series of European conferences for directors on 5th and 6th March in Brussels. This two-day event offers a European perspective on board functioning and corporate governance, and is targeted at directors with a cross-border mandate in their board activities. In addition, anyone seeking to update their knowledge of recent EU policy developments in the field of corporate governance will benefit from the conference. Participants and speakers include directors and experts from all across the EU member states.

Further information is available here:

       

European Corporate Governance Conference – 19 and 20 October 2011

The European Confederation of Directors’ Associations (ecoDa) is running a 2-day conference for directors. This initiative offers a European perspective on board functioning and corporate governance, and is targeted at directors with a cross-border mandate in their board activities. In addition, anyone seeking to update their knowledge of recent EU policy developments in the field of corporate governance will benefit from the conference. It is taking place in Brussels on 19 and 20 October 2011.

Further information is available here:

       

Corporate Governance Circle Event – Board Effectiveness

The Corporate Governance Circle is holding its next event on 1 June at the offices of ICSA. The topic of the session is “The Ins and Outs of Board Effectiveness”. Further details are available on the attached invitation. All are welcome

       

Diversity: Going Over Board? ecoDa Annual Conference - 19 May 2011

The European Confederation of Directors’ Associations (ecoDa) are holding their Annual Conference in Brussels on 19 May. A distinguished group of speakers will consider the issue of board diversity, particularly in the light of the European Commission’s recent Green Paper on corporate governance.

Further information is available at the ecoDa website: www.ecoda.org.

       

New Governance Challenges for Board Members in Europe – 30/31 March 2011

The European Confederation of Directors’ Associations (ecoDa) is running a 2-day professional development programme for directors. This new initiative offers a European perspective on board functioning and corporate governance, and is targeted at directors with a cross-border mandate in their board activities. In addition, anyone seeking to update their knowledge of recent EU policy developments in the field of corporate governance will benefit from the module. It is taking place in Brussels on 30/31 March 2011.

Further information is available here:


Press notice: 30 November 2010

The IoD responds to Lord Davies of Abersoch’s review of Women on Boards.

Press notice: 21 October 2010

The IoD responds to the report of the Takeover Panel on proposed revisions to the Takeover Code.

Invite

Corporate Governance Guidance and Principles for Unlisted Companies in the UK – Launch Event on 22 November 2010

This publication is being launched at an event at 116 Pall Mall on 22 November (between 2 and 4.30pm). The Director General of the IoD, Miles Templeman, will be joined by an expert panel of speakers to discuss the new guidance and a range of topical corporate governance issues.

  • Further details (including registration information) are available here

Sponsored by

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Press notice: 28 September 2010

The IoD expresses its view on the future of the UKLA, the FRC and other aspects of the UK’s financial regulatory architecture.


Book launch event for The Effective Board – 15 September 2010

The IoD is publishing its latest guide to boardroom effectiveness at an event at Pall Mall on 15 September. Attendees may register for the event by contacting Leonora Clement at the IoD.


Letter to the Financial Times - 30 July 2010

The attached letter by Dr. Roger Barker comments on recent CBI proposals for takeover policy.


Press notice: 27 July 2010

The IoD responds to the Takeover Panel’s consultation on takeover policy.


Corporate reporting - What needs to be done to make it fit for purpose?

The financial crises of the last decade have demonstrated serious shortcomings in the understanding of corporate business models, the alignment of incentives, and the management of risk. The current corporate reporting model has been criticised for not highlighting where these shortcomings exist. The IoD is participating in a global study to explore what changes are needed to make corporate reporting fit for purpose for the future.


Corporate Governance Circle event - 15 July 2010

The next meeting of the Circle will discuss the European commission's recent Green Paper: Corporate governance in financial institutions and remuneration policies. The main speaker is Claire Bury from DG Internal Market and Services. For further details, see the invitation.      


Letter to the Independent – 7 June 2010

The attached letter by Dr. Roger Barker, on the role of shareholders in the recent Prudential merger proposal and the current debate on takeover policy, was published in the Independent newspaper on 7 July 2010.


Press Notice: 28 May 2010

IoD responds to the publication of the new UK Corporate Governance Code.


Press Notice: 15 April 2010

The IoD comments on the proposed Stewardship Code for Institutional Investors.


Corporate Governance Circle Event on 21 April 2010 - Governance Regulation: The Dangers of European Overdrive

The Corporate Governance Circle – which is organised by the IoD and other leading corporate governance stakeholder organisations - is holding its next event on 21 April at the National Association of Pension Funds. The main speaker is David Wright, Deputy Director-General for the Internal Market and Services (DG MARKT), European Commission. Further details are available here.


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.

More news

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>>

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Policy Team