Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Corporate governance definition

What does Corporate governance mean? Corporate governance describes the system by which a company is directed and controlled: how the board, management and shareholders exercise authority, make decisions, manage risk and ensure accountability, transparency and long-term success. In practice it covers board composition (including independent non-executive directors), division of responsibilities, audit and internal controls, remuneration, shareholder rights, stakeholder engagement and reporting. The term is descriptive rather than a single statutory concept. In the UK, expectations are set mainly by soft-law codes (notably the UK Corporate Governance Code on a “comply or explain” basis, and the Wates Principles for large private companies) alongside companies legislation (for...

UK corporate governance: FTSE 100 ethnicity reporting in annual reports—Parker Review compliance, data challenges, best-practice guidance and legal/regulatory developments (2020)

Published by a LexisNexis Corporate expert

Practice notes

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ARCHIVED: This content was published in 2020 and is not maintained.

The Market Standards Trend Report, Ethnicity in Corporate governance Reporting 2020, reviews the current Recommendations and guidelines for public companies concerning ethnic diversity reporting in the UK, concentrating on the way these expectations and requirements have been interpreted, implemented and publicly reported on by FTSE 100 constituents.

The report also assesses recent and upcoming developments anticipated to influence this area, and offers companies expert best practice guidance in advance of the target deadline set by the Parker Review for FTSE 100 companies to have at least one ethnic minority director on the board by the end of 2021.

Topics covered include:

an overview of ethnic diversity targets and reporting requirements for public companies
an examination of the common challenges experienced in relation to definitions, terminology, and

...

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Richard Preston

Addleshaw Goddard

Richard is a corporate governance specialist. His practice focuses on advising on all aspects of corporate governance, Financial Conduct Authority and Stock Exchange regulatory compliance and procedure. He has substantial experience advising listed public and large private companies on governance and compliance matters, including continuing obligations, disclosure requirements, governance systems and controls, the impact of the market abuse regulation, capital management initiatives, narrative reporting, constitutional matters and law, procedure and practice in relation to company meetings....

Selina Sagayam

Gibson Dunn

Selina S Sagayam is the Head of UK Transactional Practice Development in the London office of international law firm, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. She is an English qualified lawyer who joined the firm as a partner in 2007. Selina is recognised as an expert in the field of public takeovers and corporate governance. Ms. Sagayam was named in the London Top 50 Women section of Super Lawyers UK 2013. She has been highlighted as a leading lawyer in the field of corporate law in the 2012 'The Lawyer Hot 100' report. In addition, Ms. Sagayam is recommended as a leading lawyer in the field of Corporate/M&A by UK Legal Experts (2011-2012), recommended for 'Flotations: small and mid-cap' by The Legal 500 UK 2011 and listed in the International Who's Who of Corporate Governance Lawyers 2010 and 2011. Based on...

Pavita Cooper

More Difference

Pavita is founder of More Difference, a talent and career insight business working with organisations and individuals to accelerate talent, and is recognised as a leading talent and diversity expert. She has over 25 years' experience working across a range of multisector global blue-chip organisations and has acted as an advisor to CEOs, executive teams and business leaders across sectors that include financial services, energy, consumer, professional services and luxury goods. Pavita is a passionate advocate of greater diversity across the C-Suite and committed to helping companies with her fresh and innovative thinking to accelerate the progression of 'hidden' talent: women, ethnic minorities and leaders from less traditional backgrounds. She is a regular speaker on women in business, increasing ethnic diversity and the acceleration of diverse talent in the executive pipeline. Pavita is a Steering Committee member of the 30 Percent Club, she sits on CMI...

Martin Webster

Pinsent Masons

Martin focusses on advising clients on a wide range of governance and directors' duties issues.He is the editor and main author of the Institute of Directors' leading publication, , now in its third edition, and a contributor to the London Stock Exchange's guide on Corporate Governance. He also lectures and writes extensively on governance and corporate law, as well as providing training for boards and individual directors, the ICAEW and the London Stock Exchange. He writes a popular one page monthly briefing for company directors, GCs and company secretaries and presents well attended webinars.Martin is a member of the City of London Law Society Company Law Committee for which he has led and participated in several working groups responding to various government and regulator consultations....

Web page updated on 22/05/2026

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