The 2021 AGM season has been notable for a spate of high-profile challenges to executive remuneration policies. Proxy advisers and institutional shareholders have shown scant regard for status, size or, in some cases, performance. Astra Zeneca received no Government furlough cash, yet made bonus awards and proposed increases to LTI vesting multiples. Shareholders registered a…

June 2, 2021 Read more >

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 >

Earlier this year, the High Court in the matter of Euro Accessories Ltd [2021] EWHC 47 (Ch) held that a discount should be applied in determining the value of a minority shareholding that is subject to compulsory purchase at “fair value”. In this case, the petitioner held 24.99% of the issued share capital of the…

June 1, 2021 Read more >

This month MM&K launched its 26th annual Compensation Survey for the European Private Equity and Venture Capital Industry.  Our survey provides participating firms with market leading, detailed information on both the quantum and structure of pay in the European PE, VC, Infrastructure and Real Estate fund management industries.  In the survey we collect data on…

April 28, 2021 Read more >

According to a recent private equity news publication, 449 European Private Equity backed transactions worth an estimated €70bn were announced in the first three months of 2021.  Interestingly nearly half of these deals, both in number and size, were done in March.  This more than substantiates anecdotal reports that the private equity investment community is…

April 28, 2021 Read more >

An annual return needs to be submitted by all companies who have an active employee share plan registered with HMRC. This includes tax-advantaged share plans such as EMI, CSOP, SAYE and SIP as well as any non-tax advantaged plans or arrangements such as unapproved options, conditional share awards (or restricted stock units), growth share plans…

April 28, 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 >

We are preparing to build our 2021 Life in the Boardroom Survey.  This survey is unique, as it represents the views of individual non-executive directors. It is not based on information obtained from their colleagues or from annual reports.  To ensure this year’s survey reflects the experience and opinions of individual directors on of the…

April 28, 2021 Read more >

The recent sunny weather has, no doubt, helped foster a more “up-beat” attitude and as the various key road map markers start to be successfully passed, many businesses are starting to think about “what’s next?” in terms of their employees. Whether you are a business that has had to keep your premises open or an…

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 >

The Chancellor’s Budget speech on March 3rd was preceded by months of speculation, driven by a report published by the Office of Tax Simplification back in November last year, that the rate of capital gains tax (CGT) in the UK might well be increased to come into line with income tax, i.e., 45% for additional…

March 29, 2021 Read more >

Chapter 11 is a form of bankruptcy in the US, that allows companies to stay open and operating while reorganising their debt. Many companies that file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, successfully emerge financially stronger. So, what happens to executive pay when a company emerges from Chapter 11? There is a perception that companies which have…

March 29, 2021 Read more >