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.

Wendy Stanger, Director of Governance at East Coast College has been awarded an accolade for good governance by The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland, organiser of the prestigious CGIUKI Awards 2019. Wendy won the coveted Governance Professional of the Year award at a glittering awards celebration at the Park Lane Hilton in London last night.

Peter Lee, Trust Secretary of the South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded an accolade for good governance by The Chartered Governance Institute, organiser of the prestigious ICSA Awards 2019. Peter won the coveted Company Secretary of the Year award at a glittering awards celebration at the Park Lane Hilton in London last night, narrowly pipping Andrew Eames of St. Modwen Properties PLC, who was Highly Commended by the judges, to the award.

ICSA: The Chartered Governance Institute and leading charity lawyers VWV have today published a practical ‘how to’ guide for charities approaching their first virtual or hybrid annual general meeting (AGM) as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures. The guidance is predominantly for charitable companies limited by guarantee (CLGs) and charitable incorporate organisations (CIOs) and relates to the flexibilities extended to charities by the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (CIGA) until 30 March 2021.

ICSA: The Chartered Governance Institute has today released a statement outlining its views about the situation of having chief executives, and other staff, as trustees of charitable companies such as academy trusts. The Institute believes that the situation is nuanced and a default of only one option will not always represent good governance practice.

ICSA: The Chartered Governance Institute has today published the findings of a survey of charity trustees in the UK and Republic of Ireland which shows that there is a considerable desire for there to be clearer and simpler guidance about reporting. The survey also reflects some level of concern that reporting requirements are too long and complicated for a non-financial trustee.

The Chartered Governance Institute has today published updated guidance about company AGMs and the impact of Covid-19, which reflects the Government ban on public gatherings of more than two people.

The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland has published guidance about virtual board meetings, which aims to help companies struggling with the impact of COVID-19. Drafted in conjunction with Lorraine Young Board Advisory Services, the guidance highlights the key points to bear in mind so that companies can use virtual meetings to good effect while the ban on public meetings is in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland has today published new Terms of Reference for risk committees, which are intended as a guide for companies to adapt to their needs where the board decides it is necessary or desirable to have a separate risk committee.