Audit committees need to ensure that they are fit for purpose to keep up with shifting ESG reporting requirements.

The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland has today welcomed the publication by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) of the UK Stewardship Code 2020 (the Code), believing that the revised version reflects the changing needs of asset owners and public expectations. The governance body believes, however, that the increased focus on reporting to asset owners may have an impact on the quality and quantity of engagement with companies and the emphasis on ESG issues risks provoking more ‘policy statements’ than the ‘outcomes and effectiveness’ focus recommended by the Kingman review. The FRC and its successor will need to monitor asset manager reporting and activity to ensure that this is not the case, the Institute stresses.

FTSE350 boards are displaying more confidence in the economy, with the results of a survey published today by The Chartered Governance Institute showing a twofold increase in the number of respondents believing that the global economic outlook will improve in the coming year and a fivefold increase in the number believing that the UK economy will improve. This is not yet enough to encourage greater capital investment, however, despite fears lessening over Brexit, with fewer companies now rating an exit as damaging and the overwhelming majority (81%) not currently considering relocating their head office or listing.

FTSE350 boards are devoting more time to the issue of climate change, the results of a survey published today by The Chartered Governance Institute in association with the Financial Times have shown.

ICSA: The Chartered Governance Institute has today announced the full line-up of speakers for its 2020 Governance Guernsey conference, which is taking place on 21 October, one of the few live conferences taking place in the British Isles, thanks to strong management of COVID by Guernsey’s government.

The three dimensions of sustainable development, the economy, society, and the environment, are indivisible and integrated, and are critical to the future of society and our planet.

2020 - not a year that anyone wants to repeat, but it has been a useful learning exercise for organisations, sectors and governments across the globe.

In this article we discuss COP26, climate change and the actions and commitments we have made.

The Sentebale case has been a PR disaster. What does it tell us about charity governance?