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PIRC meaning

What does PIRC mean?
In legal and corporate governance practice, PIRC means pensions & investment research consultants, a UK-based proxy adviser and governance research firm. It is frequently cited by institutional investors and their advisers for shareholder voting recommendations at AGMs and EGMs, and its analysis is often considered by listed issuers when preparing notices of meeting, remuneration reports, and engagement strategies. PIRC is not defined in legislation or case law; the term is a descriptive reference to the firm. As a proxy adviser, it is subject to transparency and disclosure requirements under the UK Shareholders’ Rights regime (retained EU law following SRD II) and, when providing services in Ireland, under the Irish implementation of SRD II. There is no licensing regime specific to proxy advisers in the UK or Ireland, but conflicts management and methodological disclosures are expected. Key features include publishing governance and ESG voting guidelines, company research and stewardship support, which can influence outcomes on director elections, pay policies and shareholder resolutions. Usage and practical significance are broadly consistent across England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland, and the term is commonly encountered by company secretaries, listed company counsel, asset managers, pension trustees and M&A or takeover practitioners.
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View the related Checklists about PIRC

CHECKLISTS
Checklist: remuneration committee composition for UK quoted companies—UK Corporate Governance Code requirements and investor best practice (ISS, PIRC, IA, QCA, PLSA, Glass Lewis)

This checklist outlines the UK Corporate Governance Code expectations for the make-up of remuneration committees of quoted companies, alongside leading best practice from principal institutional investor bodies... UK Corporate Governance Code (UKCG Code) The remuneration committee should include a minimum of three independent non-executive directors, or two for smaller companies (those outside the FTSE 350)... The company chair may sit on the committee but must not chair it, provided he or she was judged independent at the time of appointment as chair... Before taking up the role of remuneration committee chair, the individual should have served on a remuneration committee for at least 12 months... References: 2018 UKCG Code, Provision 32; 2024 UKCG Code, Provision 32... Institutional Shareholder Services Inc (ISS) For FTSE 350 companies, the remuneration committee should comprise at least three non-executive directors, with all members being independent... The company chair may join the committee but must not chair it, if he or she...

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View the related Practice Notes about PIRC

PRACTICE NOTES
Share-based remuneration for UK non-executive directors: independence, employees’ share scheme status, Listing/AIM, UK MAR, pre-emption, financial assistance, FSMA, disclosure and practical structuring options

Meaning of ‘non-executive director’ The broad definition of ‘director’ is not closed. Under the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006), a director is any person who occupies the office of director, whatever title they hold. Accordingly, this covers both executive and non-executive directors (NEDs). Executive directors are typically authorised, either by the company’s constitution or by authority delegated from the board, to manage the company’s day-to-day affairs, and they usually have a full-time service contract. NEDs generally: have no executive powers play a pivotal role in the company’s corporate governance are not employees of the company There are a number of challenges around granting shares to NEDs. This Practice Note considers the issues to assess when offering shares or share-based remuneration to NEDs, including: the potential impact on the NED’s independence the share dealing provisions of Assimilated Regulation (EU) 596/2014 for the UK, and the Market Abuse Regulation (Regulation (EU) 596/2014) previously and for the EU ...

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PRACTICE NOTES
Directors’ loss‑of‑office payments: UK Companies Act 2006 shareholder approval regime, exceptions and remedies; plus additional requirements for quoted and listed companies (UK Listing Rules, UK Corporate Governance Code)

Under the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006), there are rules governing payments a company makes to a director by way of compensation for loss of office. Because these arrangements are especially susceptible to misuse, they must be approved by shareholders. Their interplay with the general statutory duties of directors is addressed in Practice Note: Directors' duties—scope, nature, interpretation and application. Among those duties is an obligation to inform the board whenever the director has, directly or indirectly, any interest in a proposed transaction or arrangement with their company, specifying the nature and extent of that interest. In relation to: the requirement to disclose an interest in a company transaction or arrangement, see Practice Note: Declaration of a director's interests—the statutory provisions; a director’s ability to participate, whether as a director or as a member, in decisions on such a transaction or arrangement, see Practice Note: Declaration of a director's interests—articles of association For these purposes, ‘director’ covers anyone occupying the role of...

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PRACTICE NOTES
UK Corporate Governance Code Section 1 (Leadership and Purpose): 2018/2024 Guide for Corporate Lawyers on Culture, Stakeholders, section 172, Risk Controls and TCFD-aligned Reporting

STOP PRESS A refreshed UK Corporate Governance Code (UKCG Code) was released on 22 January 2024 (the 2024 UKCG Code). It introduces modest amendments to the 2018 iteration (2018 UKCG Code). The 2024 UKCG Code takes effect for accounting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2025, save for Provision 29—covering the board’s declaration on internal controls—which applies to periods beginning on or after 1 January 2026. In parallel, the best practice guidance that accompanied the 2018 UKCG Code has been consolidated into a single digital resource supporting the 2024 UKCG Code. For more detail, see News Analysis: UK Corporate Governance Code 2024 published—what’s changed? This Resource Note distils the principal provisions of Section 1 (Leadership and Purpose) of the UK Corporate Governance Code and signposts pertinent third-party materials, guidance, commentary and analysis, together with resources, to provide practical assistance on applying the Code...

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