At a glance: UK Governance & Risk

December 2022

This month's one-page guide for UK businesses includes updates on:

  • Share issues - New guidance from the UK’s Pre-Emption Group which will help listed companies wanting to raise equity capital without a full public offer to existing shareholders.
  • AGMs - Updated proxy voting guidance for listed companies preparing for AGMs in 2023 from ISS and Glass Lewis.
  • Executive pay - Updated annual Principles of Remuneration from the Investment Association which set out the expectations of UK asset managers in relation to executive pay.
  • Market transparency - Commentary on recent enforcement decisions which illustrate factors that the FCA expects listed companies and directors to consider when identifying and controlling inside information and giving trading updates.
  • Corporate reporting - Observations on the FRC's annual reviews of corporate reporting and corporate governance reporting and what this may mean for UK-incorporated and UK-listed companies.
  • Stewardship - The FRC’s latest review which analyses the reports of signatories against the UK Stewardship Code 2020.
  • Climate - Climate-related developments, including the UK Transition Plan Taskforce consultation on guidance for companies preparing their own plans and targets and updates on the outcomes of the COP27 climate conference.
  • Audit - Publications from the FRC to improve audit quality, including draft new minimum standards for audit committees of FTSE 350 companies and the key attributes of a high-quality audit environment.
  • FRC regulation - Further FRC publications which explain its future role and regulatory approach, as well as factors it will consider when assessing whether regulatory, supervisory and enforcement work outside of the primary regulatory perimeter serves the public interest.
  • Diversity - The Cranfield School of Management’s latest annual report on female representation and the EU's new Directive on improving gender balance on boards of EU-listed companies.
  • Other webinars and materials to help businesses to plan ahead on workforce issues, cyber risks and crypto assets.