Although not a new concept, shareholder activism has been prominent in the news – and likely in UK Boardrooms – in recent weeks and months. A combination of factors, including Brexit, the pandemic and robust corporate governance, have seen activist investors migrate from a saturated US market to Europe and the UK particularly, with the
Both the permanent and interim job markets for company secretaries have been picking up in recent months and some key skills come up time after time in our clients’ wish-lists. Some seem to be the bread and butter for some cosec and governance professionals, while others require specialist knowledge: Attending and minuting Board and Committee
An updated charity governance code – for charities of all shapes and sizes in England and Wales – was launched last week, following a rigorous consultation between the steering committee and the charity sector earlier in the year. This is a refresh rather than an overhaul of the Code, which however brings about important enhancements
From mid-March UK regulators realised guidance – behind other countries – encouraging hybrid AGMs but denying a complete virtual move. This was later expanded upon however and new measures were introduced granting greater flexibility. AGMs could now be conducted online, by phone, using only proxy voting or even postponed completely. This new freedom came with
This year’s market survey is ready to be released on Monday 29th June! We’d like to thank everyone who responded and helped raise £722 for FeedNHS. This year has been different and so is the focus of this survey; it couldn’t have been anything other than Covid-19 and the impact it’s had on the governance
Despite the slight ease of lockdown measures, the return to the office and face-to-face interview processes still seems distant. Although many sectors are struggling and have put recruitment on hold all together, there is still recruitment activity in the governance market both for permanent and interim positions. If anything, secretariats are busier than ever with
We are currently working on the questionnaire for our 5th Market Survey, for which we will be collecting responses this April. Our previous surveys have been a useful tool for our clients, when benchmarking for company secretarial and governance roles, and candidates, when considering new roles or negotiating for promotions. Last time we explored the
The festivities have started, the Christmas lights have been switched on and consensus has been reached on the best Christmas advert for 2019 (John Lewis apparently, although I find the Sainsbury’s one very bold). For many people, this is a time to reflect and take stock of their career and potentially prepare for a move
The Amazon fires, extreme weather phenomena and the Extinction Rebellion marches in London, prompted by climate change breakdown, biodiversity loss and ecological collapse, have brought the conversation on sustainability to the forefront of the media and the public’s mind. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors have also been a hot
What makes a good company secretary? There is a consensus that the role of Company Secretary has evolved considerably over the years, from an administrative and technical focus to an increasingly pivotal position within an organisation. Along with the relevant education, knowledge and values that are required for the role, employers are also looking for soft
