Insights

Addidat and Indigo: Independent Governance are excited to collaborate for a third successive year to offer insights into gender diversity on the boards of AIM-listed companies. Despite the progress made in the previous two years, it is disappointing to note that this year the ratio has remained stubbornly static. Our latest report reveals that just 1 in 6 directors is a woman, which is unchanged from last year. In addition to this, all-male boards have increased to 38%, further highlighting the persistent barriers to change. It’s time for a shift in perspective, one that prioritises equality, inclusion, and accountability in boardroom appointments.

The new ISS UK and Ireland proxy voting guidelines will apply to all general meetings from today onwards, as they look to adapt to significant shifts in governance and voting expectations.
In this latest IndigoINSIGHT we explore some of the key changes to the voting guidelines, which aim to reinforce accountability and transparency, and will need to be considered ahead of AGMs this year.

The 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.

Subsidiary 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.

Earlier 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.

Following 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.

The 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.

The 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.