The UK Corporate Governance Code (“the Code”) was updated in 2018, but as with all reforms of this nature, the effects could not be measured until a full cycle of disclosure had occurred.  In the last couple of weeks, the FRC have published a report (“the Report”) providing a review of how these changes have…

June 1, 2021 Read more >

We all recognise and are used to the raft of comment, regulatory guidance and best practice principles which surround ESG. It’s hard to deny the importance of the need to take care of the environment, be mindful of the effects of business activity on society and to operate as businesses within a sound governance framework.…

April 28, 2021 Read more >

On 18 March, the Government launched a consultation on a series of wide-ranging reforms to modernise the country’s audit and corporate governance regime.  It is a beast of a document – some 230 pages in length.  And every individual involved in governance within an organisation, whether large or small, should take a look at it. …

March 30, 2021 Read more >

In April 2020, the Investment Association (IA) published their guidance on shareholders expectations during the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to executive remuneration in UK listed companies. This guidance was updated in November 2020. In view of the impact that the on-going COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and the lockdown is having on certain listed company’s remuneration committee’s…

March 28, 2021 Read more >

Following last month’s article about gender diversity, this month, MM&K will dive into a different area of diversity: age. Diversity is an increasingly important matter for companies of all kinds- but it is not just limited to race and gender.  In fact, age diversity may play a significant role with regard to managing key social…

February 25, 2021 Read more >

The roller-coaster that was 2020:  The FTSE100 index entered 2020 at 7,542.40.  By the start of the first lockdown in March, it had dropped to 4,993.90, a fall of nearly 34%.  At the time of writing, the FTSE has risen to 6,572.18, up nearly 32% but still almost 13% below where it was at the…

December 22, 2020 Read more >

In this article, we review a recent report published by the QCA in conjunction with Henley Business School entitled “ESG in Small and Medium-sized Quoted Companies: Perceptions, Myths and Realities”. ESG (which to remind readers stands for “Environmental, Social and Governance”) has received huge coverage recently, which may have worn the patience of many readers…

November 27, 2020 Read more >

Every year the GECN Group conducts research into global trends in Corporate Governance. The GECN Group comprises five independent advisory firms specialising in executive remuneration and corporate governance www.gecn.com. GECN Group companies have offices in Los Angeles, New York, London, Kyiv, Geneva, Zurich, Singapore, Melbourne and Sydney. MM&K is the GECN Group company in the…

September 28, 2020 Read more >

Companies have a responsibility to consider the impact of their activities on the environment and society and to operate within a robust corporate governance framework. There is no question about that. ESG is fast becoming ingrained, if it is not already established, in corporate strategy, culture and operations. It is clear, however, that ESG means…

September 28, 2020 Read more >

CEO Pay Ratio reporting: introduction, implementation and predicted impact The “CEO pay ratio” has become a hot topic after the introduction of new legislation demanding UK incorporated companies listed on the FTSE, NYSE and NASDAQ with over 250 employees to disclose in their directors’ remuneration reports the ratio of their CEO’s total pay to the…

February 28, 2020 Read more >

Taking a listed company private – implications for executive pay and governance More and more companies are shunning listed status. Recent research has shown that the number of take private deals in 2019 was 40% higher than in 2018. Aggregate deal value increased from £9.9bn to £21.1bn. Whilst the big deals grabbed the headlines (Advent’s…

February 28, 2020 Read more >

Revised Stewardship Code sharpens the focus on ESG factors The UK Stewardship Code forms part of the FRC’s mission to promote transparency and integrity in business. The 2020 version of the Code was published by the FRC earlier this month. Under the Code, it is incumbent on asset owners and asset managers to disclose how…

January 30, 2020 Read more >