The Chartered Governance Institute has today published updated guidance about company AGMs and the impact of Covid-19, which reflects the Government ban on public gatherings of more than two people.

The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland has published guidance about virtual board meetings, which aims to help companies struggling with the impact of COVID-19. Drafted in conjunction with Lorraine Young Board Advisory Services, the guidance highlights the key points to bear in mind so that companies can use virtual meetings to good effect while the ban on public meetings is in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Some 80% of respondents to a poll out today from The Chartered Governance Institute and governance recruitment specialist The Core Partnership have confidence in the way their board is handling the current coronavirus pandemic. Just 2% have little confidence in the way their board is responding to the crisis.

The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland has today published guidance for listed companies about the withdrawal or amendment of the dividend resolution at their Annual General Meetings. Prepared with the assistance of Slaughter and May and members of The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland, the guidance forms part of a series of guidance that the Institute has published offering advice on the options companies have to run their AGM in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

According to a poll out today from The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland and governance recruitment specialist The Core Partnership, companies and other organisations are taking a mixed approach to salary sacrifice during the Coronavirus pandemic. Some 41% of executive directors have taken a voluntary reduction in base salary (50% have not), 31% of non-executive directors have taken a reduction (56% have not) and 31% of senior managers on the management board have taken a reduction while 60% have not. There is less disparity in terms of the amount of the reduction with the majority of people across all three groups taking a 20% cut.

The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland has today published new Terms of Reference for risk committees, which are intended as a guide for companies to adapt to their needs where the board decides it is necessary or desirable to have a separate risk committee.

The Chartered Governance Institute has today underlined the importance of continuing professional development during the COVID-19 pandemic with the announcement of a virtual training event for trust and corporate service providers which will take place later this month.

The Chartered Governance Institute has today published ‘Trust me, I’m listed: Why the annual report matters, and how to do it well’ – an essential guide for anyone involved in corporate reporting.

The Chartered Governance Institute has welcomed today’s release by the Education & Skills Funding Agency of its ‘Academies financial handbook 2020’, in which the role of the clerk is recognised for the important advisory support that it brings to academy trusts.