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ICSA: The Chartered Governance Institute has today released the findings of its review into the effectiveness of independent board evaluation in the UK listed sector. The review, which was carried out at the request of the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), assessed the quality of evaluations and has identified a number of ways in which board evaluation might be improved.

A new report out today from The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland and the Centre for Synchronous Leadership has revealed that many boardrooms have worryingly low levels of psychological safety and are avoiding important conversations that involve vulnerability or challenge. COVID-19 has made this behaviour even more of a liability. Unsurprisingly, the worst offenders are more likely to have poor chairing. However, both characteristics are strongly correlated with the extent to which boards and executive committees invest in team alignment.

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Fiona Chalk, Governance Consultant & Trainer at Governance4FE has been named Governance Champion of the Year by ICSA: The Chartered Governance Institute, the professional body for governance. Fiona, founder of Governance4FE, a community organisation that specialises solely in Further Education governance, received the award for the work that she has done to improve outcomes for students by increasing the effectiveness of those tasked with the oversight of governance in the further education and skills sector.

For employers, an SAYE Scheme can encourage employee engagement and improve retention. While historically a very popular scheme, following Brexit the number of licensed savings carriers in the Irish market fell and the last licensed savings carrier exited the market in early 2021. Since then, it has not been possible to establish or grant new options under a SAYE Scheme. However, with the anticipated announcement of a new licensed savings carrier before the summer, employers should reconsider the benefits of offering a Revenue approved SAYE Scheme.

With increasing importance placed on boards embedding ESG considerations in their decision-making and operations, stakeholder capitalism has become something of a buzzword du jour. It is intrinsically linked to sustainability as it is grounded in the view that giving consideration to wider interests, perspectives and impacts leads to long-term value creation.

The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (the Institute) has welcomed publication today of the UK Stewardship Code 2026 by the Financial Reporting Council, noting that several of its key recommendations have been reflected in the final text.