In light of COVID-19, annual reports are entering new territory. What are investors looking for? What does this mean for longer-term ESG and sustainability questions?

How is the regulatory picture for reporting evolving? What can we expect from the FRC in the wake of COVID-19? What does that mean for 2021 reports and beyond?

The annual report often becomes a battleground between storytelling and box-ticking – with the lawyers cast as the bad guys for spoiling the story. Keen advocates of storytelling, Will and Richard have a refreshingly different view.

The role of audit and the relationship between auditors and companies is a hot topic, following the Brydon Review which proposed sweeping changes to the profession. How companies are approaching COVID-19 risk in their reporting and how auditors are responding will throw even more of a spotlight on that relationship.

Board directors are responsible for the annual report – after all, they have to sign it off. But how involved really are they in their companies’ reports? How involved should they be? And how would better involvement improve both business management and, in turn, reporting?

What is a reporting agency? Do you need one? How can agencies help companies report better? What should you expect from an agency – and what should they expect from you? Companies and agencies work together in very different ways, for better – and worse!

Our launch event looks at ‘What is AI and what does it mean for boards and senior management?’

The second topic in our six-part series with Brunel University looks at strategy and leadership with AI.

The next in our series focuses on Structural Changes, Talent Capacity and Development