Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Governance definition

What does Governance mean? Governance, in pensions practice, describes how a trustee board organises itself and exercises oversight, decision-making and control over an occupational pension scheme to meet legal and fiduciary duties. It encompasses the scheme’s structures, policies and internal controls, and how trustees delegate to and supervise advisers, administrators and asset managers, monitor performance, manage risk and record decisions. The term is descriptive rather than a defined legal term, but key governance requirements are prescribed in legislation and regulatory codes. In the UK, the Pensions Act 2004 and scheme administration/governance regulations, together with The Pensions Regulator’s General Code, require an effective system...

Implementing Effective Governance in the UK Public Sector: Principles, Leadership, Roles, Risk, Performance and Accountability

Published by a LexisNexis Public Law expert

Practice notes

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What does effective Governance mean in the public sector?

In the public sphere, governance ensures that teams within an organisation, or those working in partnership, deliver their overarching purpose, realise intended results for citizens and service users, and conduct operations in a manner that is effective, efficient and ethical.

Effective governance is the dependable process through which an organisation affirms its identity and role, and translates its core mission, strategic Plans and values into conduct and practice throughout the organisation or partnership. It also makes certain that everyone understands their roles, responsibilities and lines of accountability.

Governance is multifaceted and interpreted differently across contexts, yet most viewpoints converge on three central questions:

Who holds Authority?
How should decisions be taken?
Where does ultimate accountability sit?

This Practice Note summarises the principal building blocks for putting in place and sustaining effective governance across the public sector. It draws on several publications, including the International Framework: Good Governance in the Public Sector, issued by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC)...

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Lisa Larsen

The Behavioural Insights Team

Lisa is Group Managing Director of Strategy and Implementation at The Behavioural Insights Team (BIT). She has over 20 years of experience of working with governments and public services on evidence-based change, both in the UK and abroad. Prior to joining BIT, Lisa was a Chief Operating Officer at PPL, a specialist health and care consultancy based in London. She has also held senior posts in Accenture’s Institute for Health and Public Service Value. While in this post, Lisa managed all operations for the Institute’s global thought-leadership team and led a number of global studies and public service improvement initiatives. Preceding Accenture, Lisa worked for six years at the Office for Public Management (OPM) where she was the Associate Director responsible for establishing and growing the Analytical Studies team. Under her leadership, the team delivered a large number of...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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