Restoring trust in audit

In March 2021, following the work of the Kingman and Brydon reviews, amongst others, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy issued a white paper, “Restoring trust in audit and corporate governance”, which framed a series of proposals for enhancing the quality of corporate governance, corporate reporting and internal controls. So has the time finally come for a UK Sarbanes-Oxley-style Act? And what could that look like?

The four P’s - Purpose, Profit, People, Planet 

Most consumers would agree that in the 21st century the value of a brand is contingent upon a number of very crucial factors. More than just a matter of profit, it’s about brand purpose, about how the brand treats and engages with its workforce, suppliers and customers, and about its impact upon the planet as a whole. Our panellists discuss how, in building a sustainable future, the “four Ps” approach is a must. 

• Simon Gardiner, General Counsel a Company Secretary, United Utilities plc
• Simon Blackburn, Deputy Company Secretary, John Lewis Partnership plc
• Fahrin Ribeiro, Company Secretary, actis

Perspectives on best practice in governance

What constitutes best practice in governance? There are many possibilities. It could be about having a robust approach to compliance. It might be about effective reporting and transparency – or having a high performing leadership team. Perhaps it’s about engagement with stakeholders – or perhaps, simply, about doing what’s fair and, what’s ethical. We hear from two organisations on what best practice in governance means to them.

• Nabil Jamshed, Head of Corporate Governance, Guy's and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

• Pamela Coles FCG, Chief Governance Officer, Rolls-Royce Holdings plc

Through a looking glass – a future-focused lens on governance

As we emerge into the post-pandemic world, how can governance champions make an impact and accelerate a more integrated governance model for the future? In this session, we explore what modern governance requirements organisations will need, not just to survive but thrive in this ever changing world. Touching on compliance, compassionate leadership, digital, agile governance, trust and inclusion; join us to find out more about the ‘Six C’s’ of governance.   

• Lauren Osman, Company Secretary & Corporate Compliance Manager, Avenues Group
• Tesse Akpeki, Podcaster and Founder, Wellbeing and Leadership Resilience Initiative

Emotional intelligence

Technological change has made it easier than ever to connect with people around the world, but it has also created new challenges. One key to effective communication is emotional intelligence, the ability to understand and effectively manage your own and others’ emotions. More than being able to read micro expressions or body language, it's about having a deep understanding of emotions and how they influence behaviours. Our speakers discuss.

• Kim-Adele Randall IMDb, Director, Kim Adele Randall
• Sharon Constançon, CEO, Genius Methods

Building financial resilience for employees

As well as being proven to increase a company’s productivity, employee share plans produce a more engaged and focused workforce and, crucially as we start to feel the full impact of a cost of living crisis, one which is more financially resilient. The case for wider rates of employee share ownership is compelling, but what other financial education initiatives can be put in place to help employees' financial wellbeing?

• Murray Tompsett, Head of Proshare
• Sarah Long, Head of New Business, WEALTH at work

Update on Companies House reform

Companies House is a cornerstone of the UK’s business regulatory framework. In recent years, however, concerns have grown that the system is open to manipulation, and with it the potential for such things as money laundering, fraud and identify theft. In February, the Government issued its final White Paper on Corporate Transparency and Register Reform, the culmination of a series of consultations on reform. We look at what’s proposed.

• Stuart Morgan, Head of Policy, Companies House
  

What are organisations doing on modern slavery?

Taking action on modern slavery is not just a social issue – it is increasingly recognised that this is a governance and compliance matter, and organisations should be taking the problem seriously. In this session, we look at the findings of a recent survey on members from the Chartered Governance Institute addressing how modern slavery risk is tackled and reflect within the organisation.

• Colleen Theron, Director, Ardea International 

Organisational resilience and business continuity

If anyone thought that the world would return to “normal” as Covid-19 receded, they’ve been in for a rude awakening. For many organisations and the people who work in them, change has become a permanent feature of life. Adapting to change requires creativity, imagination – and above all, resilience. For many organisations, the ability to learn, to adapt and to lead in the face of change is at the core of resilience.

• Kim Clear FCG, Company Secretary, TUI Group
• Victoria Hart, Head of Secretariat, Shawbrook Bank

Investor relations and governance

Investor relations has long been as important an issue for company secretaries and governance professionals as it has been for IR professionals. That’s especially true now as investor expectations are changing in the wake of society’s interest in ESG, sustainability, diversity and other issues. Our panellists discuss how governance professionals are paying more attention to IR issues than ever before. 

• David Gracie, Director, Indigo Governance
• Andrew Ninian, Director, Stewardship and Corporate Governance, The Investment Association
• Will Pomroy, Head of Impact Engagement, Federated Hermes

Valuing the company secretary

Recent work from the Institute considered the relevance of governance in the 21^st century and the value brought by company secretaries and governance professionals. The company secretary, the research found, can wear many hats – compliance and governance, but also at times such things as insurance, accountancy, procurement, legal and risk. So are company secretaries valued for the range of skills they bring? Our panellists discuss.

• Connie MacCurrach, Company Secretary, J.P. Morgan Asset Management
• Steve Moulton-Brady ACG, Executive Director, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co