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Tim PageSocial Housing Governance
Read moreThe English social housing sector comprises of roughly 1,600 not-for-profit landlords or private registered providers, between them providing housing for approximately 6 million people across England. However, the social housing sector faces complex governance challenges due to varied legal structures, stakeholder expectations, and regulatory standards. In this latest IndigoINSIGHT we explore some of these challenges.
Tim PageSubsidiary governance: part of the bigger picture
Read moreSubsidiary companies must sometimes navigate a labyrinth of regulations. For subsidiaries, and particularly those of multinational organisations, aligning the parent company’s policies and strategies can be both challenging and interesting.
Read here some important matters to take into consideration when deciding on your subsidiary governance framework and some tips on how to make it effective and workable.
Tim PageIs more always better?
Read moreCommittees are a hugely valuable governance tool, helping boards ensure that there is appropriate oversight of core governance areas whilst freeing up their own time for more strategic matters. However, in this recent CGI article, Bernadette Young asks whether the recent proliferation of an increasing number of specialised committees risks overburdening non-executive directors and diluting their independence from management. This begs the question, is more always better?
Tim PageChanges to Companies House fees
Read moreCompanies House fees are increasing on 1 May 2024, in some cases quite substantially. These new fees aim to support Companies House in carrying out its expanded investigation and enforcement responsibilities under the new Economic and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
Tim PageReporting under the new UK Corporate Governance Code
Read moreEarlier this year, the Financial Reporting Council announced revisions to the UK Corporate Governance Code, aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability of UK public limited companies. In this fourth and final edition in our series of indigoINSIGHTs on the updates, we focus on how and where boards should report against the Code, the timings of the changes and how compliance will be monitored.
Tim PagePreparing for the new UK Corporate Governance Code
Read moreFollowing the FRC’s publication of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2024 and associated guidance, the clock is now ticking for boards to fully understand the key changes and take action to review and update their governance arrangements where necessary. Our latest indigoINSIGHT explores the next steps for boards to consider in preparation for the new requirements.
Tim PageAccredited as a Board Performance Reviewer by the Chartered Governance Institute
Read moreIndigo: independent governance is proud to announce it has been formally accredited as a provider of high quality board reviews by The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland and is included in its directory of accredited providers. This testifies to our expertise in working with organisations to assess their board’s effectiveness and governance arrangements, helping them to reflect on their performance and pursue continuous improvement in governance and board-level decision making.
Tim PageGender diversity in AIM company boards
Read moreIn celebration of International Women’s Day 2024, Addidat and Indigo: Independent Governance are delighted to collaborate for a second year to provide insights into gender diversity on the boards of AIM quoted companies. Despite some progress, the lethargic pace of change remains disappointing, with 37% of AIM firms still lacking female representation. Diversity remains a crucial factor for optimising board effectiveness and commercial success and boards are therefore urged to take stock of their approach to equality and inclusion.
Tim PageGuidance to the UK Corporate Governance Code 2024
Read moreIn the second Indigo INSIGHT in our series addressing changes to the UK Corporate Governance Code, we look at the guidance released by the FRC to support boards and their advisors in implementing the changes. The new Guidance offers helpful detailed advice and examples. The Guidance, published alongside the Code, aims to clarify principles and stimulate discussion for effective decision-making, within the familiar ‘comply or explain’ regime. The Code will apply to financial years starting on or after 1 January 2025.
Tim PageNote taking in Meetings
Read moreThe effective minuting of meetings is a deceptively challenging and time-consuming task, but one that is invaluable to boards and far more than an administrative formality. In our latest indigo INSIGHT, drawing upon the results of a recent LinkedIn poll, we consider the merits of different methods of in-meeting note taking, including on-the-spot typing, the use of recordings as well as traditional pen and paper.
Tim PageAmendments to the UK Corporate Governance Code
Read moreThe FRC have announced revisions to the UK Corporate Governance Code to enhance transparency and accountability for UK public limited companies, aiming to foster growth and competitiveness and attract investment. Key changes include clarifying reporting focus on board decisions, promoting diversity, strengthening risk management and introducing malus and clawback clauses in directors’ contracts. The revised Code will come into effect for financial years starting on or after 1 January 2025.
Tim PageThe Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (the Act) new failure to prevent fraud offence
Read moreThe Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act introduced a new corporate offence (s199) – ‘failure to prevent fraud’. The offence, targeting large organisations, aims to protect victims, improve corporate culture, and could result in severe penalties, including an unlimited fine. Boards are advised to act now to ensure they have ‘reasonable procedures’ in place to mitigate fraud risks and provide them with a defence if necessary.
Tim PageECCT Act – an opportunity for governance professionals
Read moreBernadette Young welcomes the introduction of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, endorsing the forthcoming statutory powers and obligations to enhance data accuracy at Companies House and to address current gaps in UK incorporation controls.
Tim PageThe Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act Changes at Companies House
Read moreThe new Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act introduces significant changes to support Companies House combat fraud, enhance corporate transparency, and strengthen identity verification for directors. This will help to protect legitimate businesses and prevent money laundering activities. Read how these changes may affect your company.
Tim PageMinute writing – an underestimated skill?
Read moreBoard minutes are an important management tool to ensure board decisions are clearly understood so they can be properly implemented. The skill of writing good minutes can be underestimated, however, which can lead to them not being given enough attention or resource.
Tim PageUK Corporate Governance Code consultation
Read moreThe consultation document on the UK
Corporate Governance Code has now been published. What do you need to know?
Tim PageNot finished yet
Read moreAlthough the FTSE Women Leaders Review has reported real progress on targets to achieve female representation on boards, smaller listed companies still have a long way to go.
Tim PageGender diversity; an opportunity for AIM-listed firms
Read moreOn International Women’s Day 2023, Indigo is proud to join forces with Addidat, the leading provider of ESG benchmark data for the London Stock Exchange AIM market, to review women on boards and gender pay gap data for AIM listed companies, and to look at the benefits of improving diversity on these boards.
Tim PageAll risk, no reward
Read moreThe role of a NED comes with significant responsibility and risk, raising the question of whether they are being appropriately remunerated for their endeavours.
Tim PageComply or explain
Read moreIs shareholder engagement working effectively or is the approach often still too formulaic and lacking meaningful dialogue?
Interested in more industry insight, or think we can help? Get in touch with one of our Directors and keep up to date with the latest regulatory developments and any other news on LinkedIn and Twitter.
