Of interest to many of those pursuing the highest standards of corporate governance will be the news of the launch of a class inquiry by the Charities Commission into charities seriously breaching reporting requirements. It was at the regulator’s Annual Public Meeting (APM) that its chief executive confirmed that charities failing to file annual reports, accounts and returns – ‘the annual documents’ – for at least two years would be subject to formal investigation. Continue reading

Those with an interest in corporate governance are also likely to be intrigued by the story that a new competition authority, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has been formed. The government has said that the objective of the body, which brings together the Competition Commission and certain Office of Fair Trading (OFT) consumer functions, is to promote competition both within and outside the UK. Continue reading

Women now account for 19 per cent of FTSE100 directors, according to Women on Boards, in news that will interest many of those looking to ensure the highest standards of corporate governance in their own firms.

The growth, which was welcomed by Business Secretary Vince Cable, suggests that good progress is continuing to be made in reaching the target of 25 per cent of board positions being held by women, as set by Lord Davies. Continue reading

Directors

Duty to avoid conflicts of interest

Most provisions affecting directors came into effect in October 2007. However, duties relating to avoidance of conflicts and disclosure of interests came into force on 1 October 2008.
The most significant change is to give directors power to authorise certain situations where a director has a conflict of interest. The Articles of Association of a public company must contain provisions for directors to give such an authorisation. Private companies incorporated after 1 October 2008 need take no action unless their Articles contain provisions that might invalidate directors’ authorisations. Private companies incorporated before 1 October will need to pass a members resolution to approve directors’ authorisations. Continue reading

Corporate governance advisers London Registrars (https://www.london-registrars.co.uk/) looks at what the Energy Bill means for businesses in the UK.

The Energy Bill was introduced to the House of Commons by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Davey on Thursday, November 29^th 2012. The bill is part of the government’s aim of attracting £110bn of investment into the energy sector and creating a low-carbon economy. But what impact does the Energy Bill have for businesses in the UK, and will that impact be positive or negative, asks company formations and corporate support firm London Registrars? Continue reading

Non-executive directors (NED) who are clients of the company secretarial services of London Registrars (https://www.london-registrars.co.uk) will be aware that there are various penalties that can be imposed on them in the event of their failing to carry out their duties. Now, new guidance on their liability has been issued by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA). Continue reading

Newly published research on behalf of the High Pay Centre and the Guardian newspaper indicates that compulsory quotas to ensure more women serve on the boards of limited companies are not entirely succeeding, reports corporate governance experts London Registrars (https://www.london-registrars.co.uk/). Continue reading

If you are a listed company anywhere in Europe, then you could be affected by strict new rules for auditors, reports leading company secretarial services provider London Registrars (https://www.london-registrars.co.uk/). Continue reading