Company secretarial

Sharing responsibility for the quality of governance of the company and board effectiveness, presents company secretaries with several important challenges. These challenges relate to time pressure…

Insider trading continues to be a focus of ASIC’s surveillance initiatives. This article contains important considerations when preparing or reviewing your company’s trading policy. The trading…

The members of an organisation’s board have individual and collective responsibility for the overall governance and guidance of that organisation. Boards should periodically step back and evaluate…

Why do board members often not receive the right risk-related information in a suitable format? Board papers need to describe the risk context, and explain how the key documented risks were…

 

Minutes serve a crucial function in a corporate governance context.  Minutes recorded within one month and signed within a reasonable time are evidence of the proceeding, resolution or declaration…

The tendency of the brain to take short cuts can give rise to bias in decision-making.  Ensuring there is diversity of thought presented when ideas are being discussed is one way of helping to…

Cyber risks will become a greater priority for boards and management with the commencement of a mandatory data breach notification regime. The relevance of climate change risks is heightened for…

Since the introduction of the first version of the UK Corporate Governance Code purpose of corporate governance has changed. Codes are more effective than regulation as a way of raising standards…

The expectations held by the markets, governments and societies within which companies operate have never been higher. As the governance landscape evolves, the shareholder primacy theory needs…

The net for potential liability under insolvent trading law is cast wide and can include de facto directors. A family member who becomes involved in a company’s management is to be treated no…

What combination of skills, experience and values are required of board members? Boards need to maintain a fine balance of desirable industry-specific skills, experience and corporate knowledge and…