ICSA: The Chartered Governance Institute has today welcomed the benevolent approach to charity trustees that today’s Kids Company verdict has upheld, whilst recognising that the 221-page verdict contains important lessons for all those involved in the governance of charities. Overall, the judgement underscores the importance of good governance: of effective oversight, training, assurance and risk management, all of which is best supported by a governance professional.

The Isle of Man Branch of ICSA: The Chartered Governance Institute has today announced details of a webinar that is running on 24 February 2021 to helps its members and other interested parties learn more about how they can thrive in extraordinary times. Attendees will hear tips from Justin Tipper, a leading local management and leadership trainer, coach and therapist, who will explain how people can use the experience of COVID to build their pools of perseverance, calmness and self-reliance.

ICSA: The Chartered Governance Institute has today published new guidance about company AGMs and the impact of Covid-19, which reflects the continuing impact of the coronavirus pandemic on companies’ ability to hold physical general meetings. Prepared in association with the City of London Law Society Company Law Committee and Martin Moore QC, with the support of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Financial Reporting Council, the guidance offers advice on how listed companies might hold meetings during the 2021 AGM season.

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Responding to today's Budget, ProShare – the body representing employee share ownership (ESO) in the UK – said that the absence of reforms to all-employee share plans was "disappointing". By choosing not to introduce changes to the way the Share Incentive Plan (SIP) and Save As You Earn (SAYE) plans operate the Chancellor had "missed a big opportunity" to drive up employee share ownership in the UK.

ICSA: The Chartered Governance Institute has today published the findings of a survey of charity trustees in the UK and Republic of Ireland which shows that there is a considerable desire for there to be clearer and simpler guidance about reporting. The survey also reflects some level of concern that reporting requirements are too long and complicated for a non-financial trustee.

The Chartered Governance Institute has today welcomed the Government’s proposals to reform the UK audit market and strengthen the country’s corporate governance regime, but stressed that the proposed legislation around audit has to be evaluated on how well it addresses core concerns on the role of audit, the degree of professional scepticism exercised by auditors and the lack of trust in the ability of auditors outside the Big Four.

According to a poll by ICSA: The Chartered Governance Institute and governance recruitment specialist The Core Partnership, 73% of companies think that there should be more transparent reporting and disclosures about environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters. Just 16% of organisations polled are against this and an additional 11% are unsure.

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