On the 15th December, 2023, the Minister for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary TD, announced that the interim period of the Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Covid-19) Act 2020 which relates to the holding of virtual meetings, including AGMs, had been further extended to 31 December 2024.

The Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 (the “Act”) became law in the United Kingdom on 15 March 2022.

The requirement for company directors to provide Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSN) came into force on 11 June 2023. After three months, the system has bedded in and the CRO has been able to identify some particular issues that presenters and directors may wish to address.

Changing a company’s year end and the filing of the B83 sometimes leads to confusion among presenters

Risk is now a mainstream topic of conversation. In the past, risk was associated primarily with fast-moving innovative businesses (and with particular events such as product launches); but the UK’s risk landscape has changed radically in the last decade.

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has finished consulting on its proposed changes to the Code. The UK Stewardship Code sets a standard for how investors manage their responsibilities and aims to ensure that investment decisions drive long-term value and create positive societal outcomes.

Boards really matter. A successful board of directors adds significant value to an organisation and its stakeholders. Good boards do not happen by accident. Nor does board effectiveness last indefinitely. Many boards don’t achieve their potential because they remain collections of individuals and never form into a team.

The Company Law Review Group is an expert advisory body charged with advising the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment on the review and development of company law in Ireland. It was accorded statutory advisory status by the Company Law Enforcement Act 2001, which was continued under Section 958 of the Companies Act 2014. The CLRG operates on a two-year work programme which is determined by the Minister in consultation with the CLRG.

A conference first-timer gives his reflections on last year’s annual conference.