Webinar | Key changes and challenges for company secretaries in 2021

Date: Thursday, January 21, 2021
Duration: 1 hour live webinar – 40 min panel + Q&A
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Needless to say, 2020 created unprecedented challenges in both our work and personal lives. It has forced us to review processes and streamline operations. It has also provided an opportunity to question how we do things and whether we could, or perhaps should, do them differently.

We wanted to take this opportunity to look ahead into 2021 and provide some insight into the changes and challenges that company secretarial teams should expect.

During this practical webinar, our expert panel will discuss:

Changes to reporting

Discussing the FRC’s recent consultation paper on unbundling corporate reporting (Latham & Watkins LLP have written a good summary).
FRC recommending increased use of technology/interactivity in presenting corporate information
Section 172 guidance

AGMs

FRC’s review of AGMs in H1 2020 and its recommendation to introduce a more digital approach
What do you need to be thinking about for this year’s AGM?

Market Abuse Regulation

Has Coronavirus and remote working shaped your process for dealing with inside information? What will you take into 2021?
ESMA has provided flexibility on who should be included on an insider list, and how large a permanent insider list should be – how will this affect how you manage your lists going forward?

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Speakers

John Mills

Company Secretary – Smiths Group plc

John is a Fellow of the ICSA: Governance Institute and a qualified solicitor, with an LLB from Sheffield University. He has gained corporate governance and legal experience in a wide range of international businesses and joined Smiths in 2018 having previously held senior roles at Anglo American plc, RSA Insurance Group plc and Cadbury plc. He was previously the CBI’s alternate member on the Takeover Panel for four years.

Maureen Beresford

Head of Corporate Governance – Financial Reporting Council

Maureen was a civil servant for over 20 years, mostly within the different guises of the Department for Business Enterprise and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), her last position being Head of Company Law and Reporting. As part of that role she was responsible for a team who informed company law policy and supported Ministers on a number of legislative changes.

In 2017 Maureen moved on secondment to the Financial Reporting Council, working on the review of the UK Corporate Governance Code and then the introduction of the Wates Principles for Large Private Companies. In 2020 Maureen was appointed Head of Corporate Governance at the FRC, last year reviewing early adoption of the 2018 Code and this year issued a short review of AGMs.

Adam Kulesza

Business Development Manager – EQS Group

Adam has been a Business Development Manager at EQS Group for over 3 years. He is an expert in digital IR and compliance solutions, focussing on topics related to the Market Abuse Regulation and regulatory news dissemination. Prior to joining EQS, Adam worked in corporate communications, digital strategy and consultancy.

Host

Viviane Joynes

Managing Director – EQS Group

Viviane is Managing Director of EQS Group’s UK Business. She has extensive experience of advising UK and European companies on their corporate governance, compliance and IR practices. Prior to joining EQS her roles included heading up the IR Services at Capita Asset Services (now Link Asset Services) and being Managing Partner of a corporate governance and communications consultancy.