The purpose of corporate governance is to facilitate effective, entrepreneurial and prudent management that can deliver the long-term success of the company.

This page lists the key milestones in the development of UK corporate governance beginning with the Cadbury Report. It includes significant reports and reviews, code changes and ICAEW initiatives.

Corporate governance and internal control weaknesses are often the root cause of corporate failure. However, without fully understanding the subtleties at play, revisions to the Corporate Governance Code will only go so far in addressing the problems.

The government’s plans to improve audit quality in the UK are centred around broadening competition for larger listed company audits. More consideration needs to be given to the impact of regulation on the willingness and ability of challenger firms to step up.

ICAEW’s response to the FRC’s consultation on revisions to the Corporate Governance Code stresses that the future of corporate governance is as much about nurturing good behaviours as it is about preventing corporate failures.

ICAEW welcomes proposed statutory guidance that establishes a corporate governance code for local authorities in England, but says councillors need better training and support if they are to be able to hold leaders to account.

To succeed in the modern world, businesses must move away from defensive old-style news management and corporate positioning. ICAEW argues that if companies embrace a positive approach to corporate governance that ensures they connect with and reflect society, they will reap many benefits.

The ICAEW thought leadership 'Dialogue in Corporate Governance' presents five questions arising from changes in capital markets and how they affect the foundations of existing corporate governance frameworks.

The initiative aims to generate discussion and broaden debate on the differences between US and UK corporate governance systems

Trust in business and other institutions, such as Parliament and the press, has been declining for decades. How do we reverse the tide? Do the measures in the BEIS whitepaper set out a path to build back trust?

The BEIS whitepaper proposes replacing the current regulator, the Financial Reporting Council, with a new, more powerful body, the Audit Reporting and Governance Authority – ARGA. ICAEW’s Iain Wright is joined by a mega-panel of experts to discuss this proposal.

The BEIS consultation on audit and corporate governance reform proposes sweeping changes that will have a profound impact on the way corporate Britain operates. Why is this necessary now? What will it mean in practical terms? And is the timing right?

This webinar will help with understanding the FRC’s revised Stewardship Code

This webinar looks at a number of recent Operational Case reports published by the commission and consider how these would inform internal and external audit work in the sector. The topics covered include conflicts of interest and how to manage them, property purchase and sale, charity rationalisation and merger, and the charity governance code.

Simon Lowe, Chairman of Grant Thornton Governance Institute, and Elizabeth Richards, Head of Corporate Governance, ICAEW, discuss the factors that constitute effective corporate governance.

A representation dated 13 September 2023 to a consultation published by FRC on 24 May 2023. Restoring trust in the UK’s corporate reporting, governance and audit regime requires a fully ‘joined-up’ approach to reform.

A representation dated 30 June 2023 to a consultation published by FCA on 3 May 2023.

A representation dated 7 February 2023 to a consultation published by the FRC in November 2022.

A response dated 18 November 2021 to a consultation published by FRC in August 2021.

FRC report from November 2022, which gauges the quality of reporting against the UK Corporate Governance Code 100 FTSE 350 and Small Cap companies were assessed. Previous editions can also be viewed

Leading global proxy solicitor, shareholder engagement firm and corporate governance advisors Georgeson publish an annual review of trends from European AGMs covering the following jurisdictions: UK, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Spain (a separate report is published on Denmark). Each countries entry is divided into three sections: voting; proxy advisers; corporate governance developments.

Results from the latest PWC survey, which received responses from 663 public company directors. Provides in-depth analysis of contemporary governance trends and emphasises how boards are reacting to a rapidly evolving governance landscape.

A review of the annual reports of 281 of the UK’s FTSE 350 companies with years ending between April 2019 and April 2020. As well as assessing compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, the review considers the application, namely quality and detail of explanations, and draws attention to best practice and emerging trends in narrative reporting.