We are advocates for transparent markets, accountable corporations and responsible investments

PIRC is the UK's leading independent research and advisory consultancy providing services to institutional investors on corporate governance and corporate social responsibility.

Since 1986, it has been the pioneer and champion of good corporate governance within the UK. PIRC has a wide spectrum of clients ranging from pension funds, faith-based investors, trade unions to banks and asset managers. Its Corporate Governance Service is an authoritative and vital resource for active investors, whilst its widely-read Shareowner Voting Guidelines provide a market-wide benchmark for investors and forms part of the movement for corporate governance reform and long-term wealth creation strategies for responsible investors. For more information about PIRC or to arrange a meeting, contact Janice Hayward, or call us on 0207 247 2323.

Company regulator considered

The government is considering merging various regulatory bodies into a single authority whose role may include “regulating corporate governance, corporate information and its disclosure, and the stewardship of companies by institutional shareholders”.

The proposal is made in a consultation paper issued by the Treasury as part of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition’s public policy agenda on financial reform.

The paper states: “The Government believes… that the functions of the UK Listing Authority could be merged with other regulatory functions relating to companies and corporate information, notably those of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). This would have the benefit of bringing the UKLA’s regulation of primary market activity alongside FRC functions relating to company reporting, audit and corporate governance. The Government is therefore considering whether the UKLA should be merged with the FRC under the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), or whether it should remain within the Consumer Protection and Markets Authority markets division.“

“The Government believes that, within the proposed new regulatory architecture, there is a strong case for a powerful companies regulator established with responsibilities for regulating corporate governance, corporate information and its disclosure, and the stewardship of companies by institutional shareholders…”

“The Government is also seeking views on whether there are other aspects of financial market regulation in which the links with companies law are sufficiently close to warrant consideration of transferring them to the potential new companies regulator.”

More information at: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/consult_financial_regulation.htm

back to main news page

“PIRC is the guardian...”

 “PIRC is the guardian of good corporate goverance - and shareowner responsibilty - in the UK.“
Investor Relations Magazine