Start-ups and a new age for governance
As a record number of businesses launch in the UK, the need for good governance for start-ups has become increasingly important. This article explains why strong governance should be a priority at the outset of a new business and not an after-thought.
Interview with Ibi Eso appears in Governance and Compliance
Is it time for a whole new approach to how our role as company secretaries is named, defined, and promoted? Even with awareness of governance gaining momentum, especially redefined as ESG, it still feels that the Cosec’s role as the chief governance officer is still not recognised and is by and large taken for granted.
Good governance: Why outsource your company secretary?
With small and medium-sized businesses adapting their business models to survive the pandemic, good governance is more important than ever. A company secretary has a vital role to play in steadying the business, however, some companies might not have this expertise in-house. The benefits of outsourcing their company secretarial function to a professional team of experts is discussed below.
What impact will Brexit have upon a company’s governance?
Brexit comes into force on 1 January 2021 as the transition period ends. The precise impact upon UK trade, jobs and the country’s growth prospects remain unclear as discussions continue.
Using E-Signatures in place of handwritten signatures to sign legal documents
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the use of e-signatures has assumed a greater importance, as business continues to be conducted remotely, and many people, at the time of writing, remain working from home. Pandemic or not, the need for signatures on business documents such as contracts remain a key business process – either by hand (‘wet ink’) or digitally. With managers needing to continually adapt their business model to new rules of working – the ability to sign these items digitally is crucial.
AGMs – Let’s Get Digital!
If you are required to hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM), either by law or your governing documents, you will be well aware of the challenges that arranging this event can present. Many organisations we come across, need to hold an AGM but are finding it increasingly difficult to justify the costs of a physical meeting with often very low turnout of attendees.
A manifesto for corporate governance
In the run up to the general election, the Institute of Directors (IoD) published its own 10 policy manifesto on Corporate Governance[1], largely due to the fact that not being an automatic vote-winner, the issues “feature very sparingly” in the major political parties’ manifestos. We look at how some of these initiatives can provide a blueprint for companies needing to improve their own governance.
Benefits of having a company Christmas party
With December now upon us, the holiday season is fast approaching. For those of us who celebrate, this means that once again, ’tis the season for gift giving, friends and family, and, of course, the company Christmas Party.
Patisserie Valerie – Where were the internal controls?
Was lack of suitable internal controls behind Patisserie Valerie’s current fight for survival? It is clear that there have been major failings within the business and with the finance director currently under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office, all seems to point to major breach of internal control.
Membership Organisations – balancing good governance and member relations
As with all types of organisations membership and trade organisations have their fair share of governance headaches. Some governance requirements apply to everyone – importance of risk management; clear strategic direction, regulatory compliance; importance of internal control…but in today’s blog we concentrate on some governance challenges that may particularly apply to membership and trade bodies.