Of interest to many an AIM company secretary wishing to ensure compliance within their organisation will be disciplinary action recently taken by the AIM Disciplinary Committee (ADC) in relation to an AIM company breaching rules by failing to provide its nominated adviser (nomad) with “information reasonably required to carry out the nomad’s responsibilities”. Continue reading
Steps are being taken to guard against modern slavery in UK supply chains
Modern slavery, in its various forms, affects around 21 million people worldwide and is a multi-billion pound industry. It is surprising that slavery even exists in the 21st century, but it does. In 2015, then-Home Secretary Theresa May introduced the Modern Slavery Act to try to prevent UK businesses from becoming part of the problem.
The ‘Brexit’ vote and the unforeseen consequence for corporate governance
The UK electorate’s decision to leave the European Union has triggered a period of uncertainty for the nation until Article 50 is triggered at some point next year. Jobs, economic growth and freedom of movement are sure to be big issues for the public, but perhaps one area that is likely to see especially great, albeit largely unforeseen change as a result of the vote is corporate governance. Continue reading
What UK companies need to know about the EU Market Abuse Regulation 2016 (MAR)
The EU Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) came into force on 3rd July 2016, entirely replacing the outgoing Market Abuse Directive, with the intention of expanding and developing the existing market abuse regulations and establishing a more uniform regime across all member states to reduce complexity while maximising legal certainty. Continue reading
Changes to the guidance for multi-academy trust governing bodies
Regardless of the size of organisation, good governance is essential – it helps to hold key decision makers to account, ensure that records are kept correctly and accurately and enhance transparency. Ultimately, good governance should be seen as a means of making a business’s procedures more efficient, not as a layer of red tape through which to break. Continue reading
Revamp to EU data protection legislation for 2018
The European Commission has recently moved to strengthen and improve data protection laws in the European Union, with the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The GDPR comes into force in May 2018 and operates similarly to the Data Protection Act that it replaces. Although the current legislation applies to all “personal data” that is received by organisations, following advancements in technology, the new legislation offers a broader definition of “personal data”, with online identifiers – such as IP addresses – receiving greater protection than previously. Continue reading
Financial Reporting Council publishes findings of corporate culture study
The findings of a study from the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) have been released, bringing fresh insight into the relationship between corporate culture and business success in the UK. Continue reading
Directors’ duties guidance highlights importance of strong direction
The recent administration of British Home Stores was an excellent example of what can happen when the duties of a director are overlooked. As well as Sir Philip Green, then-current director Dominic Chappell has been facing criticism for buying the firm in a ‘get rich quick’ deal to benefit only his own bank balance, without giving due care to the needs of shareholders and employees. Continue reading
Durand Academy Trust could be stripped of funding over governance concerns
An academy trust could lose its funding from the Education Funding Agency (EFA) after concerns over its governance were raised.
The Durand Academy Trust (DAT) has been issued with a pre-termination warning by the EFA, which has also expressed concerns over the trust’s use of public money. Continue reading
Recent flurry of cases demonstrates the worth of the Bribery Act 2010
There was never any doubt of the importance that the Bribery Act 2010 was meant to hold for UK corporate governance. The new law was intended to beef up existing anti-bribery initiatives to further mitigate the risk of bribery in the UK as well as overseas, in the process, helping to ensure the continued integrity of British business. Continue reading