Introduction
This briefing summarises key developments to be aware of when preparing for 2025 annual general meetings and compiling the narrative aspects of annual reports.
It is aimed principally at UK incorporated companies with a listing on the new Equity Shares Commercial Companies category under the Financial Conduct Authority's UK Listing Rules. It also covers material developments for AIM companies and large private companies.
Considerations for 2025 AGMs
We cover:
- Resolutions and practice in 2024.
- Key points from various updated voting guidelines for 2025, including those of Institutional Shareholder Services, Glass Lewis and others.
- Reminders for AGMs of AIM companies following the publication of the 2023 Quoted Companies Alliance Corporate Governance Code.
- Miscellaneous issues relevant to AGMs.
- Horizon scanning in relation to developments that may affect AGMs in the future.
Considerations for 2025 narrative reporting
We cover:
- Sustainability reporting including reporting pursuant to The Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure recommendations, climate-related financial reporting under the Companies Act 2006 and other international, EU and UK developments.
- Diversity reporting pursuant to the UKLRs and the FCA Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules and various voluntary initiatives.
- Remuneration reporting.
- Publications issued by the Financial Reporting Council and others analysing, among other matters, the quality of annual and corporate governance reporting.
- Reporting pursuant to the FRC's Audit Committees and the External Audit: Minimum Standard.
- Reporting by listed companies following the publication of the 2024 UK Corporate Governance Code.
- Reporting by AIM companies in light of the 2023 QCA Code.
- Reporting by large private companies.
- Horizon scanning in relation to developments that may affect narrative reporting in the future.
We considered many of these issues at our November 2024 AGC conference. Click here to go to the event landing page where you will find the session materials, a recording of proceedings and links to other useful information.
