Visit our Local Corporate Governance Centers

Spotlight on a Deloitte Governance Leader

Fadi Sidani    Middle East

Partner, Dubai
Specialties: Corporate governance, enterprise risk management, internal audit. 
Industries: Financial Services, Public Sector
Languages: English, Arabic
Tel: +971 (0)4 3698 999
Fax: +971 (0) 4 3698 998

What's New

02 May 2012    Deloitte Finland co-hosts governance event

The Deloitte Finland Center for Corporate Governance will co-host the annual meeting of the Institute of Directors Finland on 2 May, in Helsinki. The event will focus on the presentation and sharing of leading board practices, and will have a particular emphasis on governance and sustainability under different systems around the world. Deloitte Finland Chairman and Governance Leader Mikael Paul will co-host the event with the Chairman of the Finnish Institute.

9 May 2012     Corporate Governance Event in Sweden

On May 9th, the Deloitte Sweden Center for Corporate Governance will host an event titled, "The proactive board in a constantly changing world." The event, moderated by Svante Forsberg, chairman of Deloitte Sweden, will address boardroom topics pertaining to polictial and economic change,  board and management engagement, and social media. For further information, view the full agenda.

8 February 2012     Corporate Governance in Ireland

Deloitte Ireland publishes comprehensive corporate governance disclosure checklist.  Companies listed on the main securities market of the Irish Stock Exchange are required to comply with an increasing variety of corporate governance disclosure requirements, many of which apply for the first time to companies preparing their annual reports for 2011. The checklist will help companies in planning for and ensuring compliance with these regulations. 

February 2012     German Corporate Governance newsletter

This issue includes results of the Director 360° survey among Supervisory Board members in Germany and around the world, a short paper about direct transition from the Executive Board to the Supervisory Board of a listed company, and an overview of the Board Academy as a platform for Supervisory Boards.

19 January 2012    Launch of the Deloitte Finland Center for Corporate Governance

On 19 January 2012, Deloitte Finland launched their Center for Corporate Governance, inclusive of their corporate governance website.  A launch event, focusing on their Board Forum Survey, took place where approximately 60 clients/ board members were in attendance.  The event included a panel discussion and presentation on current governance trends.  To learn more about the Board Forum Survey, which addresses current corporate governance matters in Finland and in other international markets, visit the Finnish Corporate Governance website.

17 January 2012: The Sustainable Board

Sustainability has become a top-of-mind issue for boards seeking to enhance performance and reputation, mitigate risks, and foster innovation and growth. This white paper from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL)’s Global Center for Corporate Governance calls on boards to view corporate sustainability as more than just good corporate citizenship, but as an integral component of an organization’s business strategy.

January 2012   2011 annual financial reporting document review guide
An all-in-one disclosure assessment tool

Deloitte has prepared a comprehensive assessment package to help management and directors determine whether or not their organization's financial statements and other financial filings meet its continuous disclosure obligations.

10 January 2012   Directors’ Alert: 12 issues for 2012 - When Uncertainty Reigns

This publication from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL) offers insights from governance specialists from Deloitte member firms around the globe. These specialists have provided local and international perspectives on top boardroom priorities within the context of today’s uncertain business environment. Each article includes questions that directors may ask to further explore the issues with their own boards, as well as resources for each topic.

21 November 2011   Women in the Boardroom - A Global Perspective

The topic of boardroom diversity is long-standing. This second edition report from the Deloitte Global Center for Corporate Governance examines legislative efforts being pursued across 17 countries in order to encourage more women to serve on listed company boards.

November 2011   Corporate Governance disclosure checklist

Challenging times, changing times - the Uk is experiencing it all the moment. The Financial Reporting Council has published the UK Corporate Governance Code that it hopes will encourage effective and constructive challenge in the UK boardrooms.
This checklist from Deloitte UK sets out the corporate governance disclosure requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code for reporting periods beginning on or after 29 June 2010.

17 November 2011   Global Director Survey: Director 360

To obtain insight into the issues that directors are faced with, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited’s Global Center for Corporate Governance sponsored a director survey, Director 360: Changing Roles, new challenges that included 215 directors in 12 countries.  The research explores issues such as board effectiveness, functionality and the changing role of directors.   The results of the research will assist directors, globally, in an environment of increased scrutiny, growing compliance demands, and a challenging economic environment.

17 October 2011    Launch of the Deloitte Japan Center for Corporate Governance

17 October 2011 marks the launch of the Deloitte Japan / Tohmatsu Center for Corporate Governance. In addition to one of the most comprehensive websites about governance topics in Japan available in English, the launch brings together nearly 100 investors and directors to discuss the changing face of corporate governance in Japan. Given Japanese companies’ expansion overseas, the Center will focus on the particular needs of Japanese firms to implement strong control and governance practices over far-flung subsidiaries around the world.

28 June 2011     Launch of the Deloitte France Center for Corporate Governance

Deloitte France launches a Corporate Governance Center in Paris today.  The launch event includes a panel presentation of directors from listed French companies discussing local governance topics and corporate governance priorities.  Those in attendance incude directors, company executives and French governance professionals.  Find the link to the website here.

16 June 2011     Corporate Governance Forum: Information for Supervisory Board and Audit Committee Members (Q2 2011)

The latest edition of Deloitte Germany's Corporate Governance Forum focuses on corporate strategy: the elements of corporate strategy, the surveillance from the Supervisory Board's point of view, and how to implement strategy into a business model.  Also included in this issue are articles on award-winning remuneration systems and IFRS relating to consolidation.  Please find the latest edition here.

11 May 2011       Launch of the Deloitte Norway Center for Corporate Governance

On 11 May 2011, the Deloitte Corporate Governance Center in Norway, along with their corporate governance website, launched.  The launch event introduced the Center and focused on the themes of risk oversight/ risk management.  Please find the link to the website here.

5 May 2011       Financial Reporting Council Consults on Boardroom Diversity

 The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has commenced consultation on whether the UK Corporate Governance Code should be amended to require listed companies to disclose their policy on gender diversity in the boardroom and report against it annually.  Consultation closes on 29 July 2011.  Read more here.

15 April 2011      Corporate Governance Forum: Information for Supervisory Board and Audit Committee Members (Q1 2011)

The latest edition of Deloitte Germany's Corporate Governance Forum includes the topics of the monitoring of accounting policy and key questions for supervisory boards; both of which have been part of the board's focus after the financial market crisis.  Additional topics of the Forum include: Director's Alert: 11 Issues for 2011 - Ever-increasing Demands, Women on Supervisory Boards in Germany and Worldwide, and the Audit Committee in Stock Corporations.  Read more here.

11 April 2011        Launch of the Deloitte Argentina Center for Corporate Governance

On April 11, 2011 the Deloitte Latin American Countries Organization (LATCO) launched a Corporate Governance Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  The launch event included a panel presentation of a few directors and executives from Argentina that addressed local governance topics, a discussion on corporate governance priorities and concerns, and a presentation on fraud and corruption.  Those in attendance included directors, company executives, and internal audit professionals.  Find the link to the website here.

7 April 2011       Launch of the Deloitte Colombian Center for Corporate Governance

On April 7, 2011 the Deloitte Latin American Countries Organization's (LATCO) Corporate Governance Excellence Center launched in Bogota, Colombia.  The Center, which will be headquartered in Colombia, will focus on corporate governance matters pertaining to the following Latin American countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela.  The main subject of the event was the responsibility of the Board of Directors regarding anti-fraud and anti-corruption.  Find a link to the website here.

30 March 2011     Launch of the Deloitte Southern Africa Center for Corporate Governance

Today is the official launch of The Deloitte Southern Africa Center for Corporate Governance. The website joins 14 other Deloitte member firms as they provide links to corporate governance resources around the world. With the release of the recent King III Report and its March 1 effective date, the Southern Africa Center focuses on a market where standards of corporate governace are evolving and where there is a renewed focus on integrated reporting and sustainability. Find a link to the website here.

31 January 2011     Women in the Boardroom Research 

Recently, a number of European and Asian countries have introduced legislation requiring quotas for women serving on boards of directors of listed companies. The trend towards launching quota legislation began in Norway in 2005, which requires 40 percent of all boards be comprosed of women directors; France, Spain, Italy and others have quickly followed. Deloitte's Global Center for Corporate Governance has produced a new report that looks closely at this legislation, and includes recent statistics for the current level of women on boards across 12 countries. Entitled 'Women in the Boardroom: A Global Perspective,' the report also includes three forewords written by three prominent directors in Asia, Europe and the U.S., each providing her view on the effectiveness and advisability of quotas, as well as a view into what women bring to the boardroom. Find the report on the Deloitte UK Center for Corporate Governance, or download directly via this link.

13 January 2011     Governance Reforms in India

The Deloitte India Center for Corporate Governance highlights a Conference Board report on recent reforms to India's corporate governance regime. Among other topics, the research addresses the evolution of Clause 49, which regulates much of India's disclosure and governance practices, and discusses proposed changes to the Companies Bill and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs' Corporate Governance Voluntary Guidelines. Download the full report here or visit the Deloitte India Center for Corporate Governance.

20 December 2010     Corporate Governance in Mexico

Last week saw the official launch of The Deloitte Mexico Center for Corporate Governance. The website, in both Spanish and English versions, joins 13 other Deloitte member firms as they provide links to corporate governance resources around the world. With family control of corporations one of the defining features of the Mexican corporate governance environment, the Mexico Center website includes a strong focus on family business and the involvement of family members on boards of directors. Find a link to the website here in English and in Spanish here.

15 December 2010     Board Chairmanship in Sweden

The Deloitte Sweden Center for Corporate Governance highlights the recent recognition of two chairmen - one from a private company and one from a listed company - for meritorious chairmanship. Called the 'Golden Gavel,' the award is sponsored by Deloitte Sweden and the Swedish Academy Board of Directors, or StyrelseAkademien. This year, the award recipients are distinguished by their role in forming the companies' strategy and in creating an atmosphere in the boardroom, where all can be heard and where dissenting views are welcome. Read more about these chairmen on the Deloitte Sweden Center for Corporate Governance website.

10 December 2010     Corporate Governance in the Netherlands

Last week, Deloitte Netherlands launched the website for the Deloitte Netherlands Centre for Corporate Governance. The website joins 12 other Deloitte member firms in providing links to corporate governance resources to a country with growing importance in Europe. The website is in Dutch for the moment but will launch an English-language mirror site in a few months' time. Find a link to the website here.

21 November 2010     Corporate Governance in Ireland

Last week, Deloitte Ireland launched the website for the Deloitte Ireland Centre for Corporate Governance. Providing links to the new Central Bank Corporate Governance Code, Irish Stock Exchange governance rules and the new Mullarkey Report on the accountability of company secretaries, the website is a resource for those wishing to learn more about governance reform in a rapidly changing economy. Find a link to the website here.

11 November 2010     Governance Quality in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Stock Exchange has published a report on the findings of its fourth review of listed issuers' corporate governance practices. Based on corporate governance disclosures made by 132 issuers in last year's annual reports, the report includes an analysis of company compliance with provisions and recommended best practices set out in the local governance code. Find a link to the report at the Deloitte China Center for Corporate Governance.

28 October 2010     Black Swans and the Limits of Conventional Risk Management

The Deloitte Canada Center for Corporate Governance highlights a new report on the pressure that unexpected, external shocks place on conventional risk management, especially when insitutions are all using the same systems. Entitled 'Black Swans Defeat Standardized Approaches to Risk Management,' the report paints an intriguing picture of how boards might adopt multiple risk management systems to avoid the negative consequences of system-wide adoption of identical methods.  Download the full report here or access the report on the Risk Oversight page of the Deloitte Canada Center for Corporate Governance.

20 October 2010     Governance Momentum Slows in Asia?

The Deloitte Singapore Center for Corporate Governance highlights the results of "CG Watch 2010", from the Asian Corporate Governance Association (ACGA), its fifth joint survey of corporate governance in Asia undertaken in collaboration with CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets.  Titled "Stray not into perdition: Asia's CG momentum slows", the report asks 90 questions in five categories: "CG Rules and Practices", "Enforcement", "Political and Regulatory Environment", "Accounting and Auditing Standards", and "CG Culture".  Singapore regained the top spot, marginally improving on its score from the previous survey in 2007, while Hong Kong slipped to second.  The full report can be purchased by non-members.  An excerpt of the report is available at  the Deloitte Singapore Center for Corporate Governance.

17 October 2010          Disclosure in the United Kingdom

The Deloitte UK Center for Corporate Governance has published a survey of narrative reporting in UK financial statements.  Entitled 'Swimming in Words,' the survey gives an inside view of the latest trends in narrative reporting among United Kingdom PLCs. Among the key findings from the survey include the fact that three-quarters of all companies cite the state of the economy as a key business risk, against only 63 percent who did so in 2009. Download the full report here or at the Deloitte UK Center for Corporate Governance.

8 October 2010     Corporate Governance Developments in Germany

Deloitte Germany this week published its Corporate Governance Forum, a quarterly review of corporate governance developments in Germany. This quarter, the Forum interviews Ulrich Hocker, CEO of the German Association of Securities Holders (DSW) and a member of the German Corporate Governance Commission. The publication also reviews qualifications of supervisory board members in Germany, recently published compliance guidelines, corporate governance particularities of the "SE" as a European stock corporation, and the updated governance code for family businesses in Germany. Download the Corporate Governance Forum at the Deloitte Germany Center for Corporate Governance.

30 September     Governance of State-Owned Enterprises in China and Hong Kong

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has recently issued guidelines on the corporate governance of state-owned enterprises, a topic that is highly relevant to both Hong Kong and China, where the government remains owner of many large companies. The guidelines offer concrete advice to countries on how to more effectively manage their responsibilities as owners. Recommendations include ensuring separation between the state’s ownership function and market regulation, and promoting competitive conditions regarding access to finance. The report recommends, for example, that relations with state-owned banks should be based on purely commercial grounds. Find a link to this guideline at the Deloitte China Center for Corporate Governance.

29 September     Executive Pay in Austria

The financial crisis has catapulted management compensation – especially bonus payments – into the bright lights of public discussion in Austria. Recent revisions to the Austrian Code of Corporate Governance as well as initiatives at the European level aim to bring more transparency to management remuneration. To meet these requirements, there are more pressures on Austrian supervisory boards to clearly document the process for setting and deciding management compensation. The Deloitte Austria Center for Corporate Governance highlights a presentation on how outsiders can provide additional assistance and on the pluses and minuses of external compensation audits. 

17 September 2010     Ne w Listing Rules for the Shenzhen Stock Exchange

The Deloitte China Center for Corporate Governance highlights recently released listing guidelines for the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Please find a link to the guidelines at the Deloitte China Center for Corporate Governance homepage.

10 September 2010     Social Responsibility Among Hong Kong-Listed Companies

The Deloitte China Center for Corporate Governance highlights a recent survey from CSRAsia and Oxfam Hong Kong that looks at corporate social responsibility among constituent companies of the Hang Seng Index . The survey focuses on companies implementating CSR initiatives through various activities, including reporting according to the principles of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), producing a standalone CSR Report, including human rights in codes of conduct, or signing on to the UN Global Compact. Find a link to the report, entitled "Corporate Social Responsibility Survey of Hang Seng Index Constituent Companies 2009," on the home page of the Deloitte China Center for Corporate Governance.

8 September 2010     Proxy Access Comes to the US

With this summer's passage of the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill, shareholders will now have the ability to nominate their own candidates to US boards. There are varying views on the implications of this however. At one extreme, there are those who say it will result in competing slates of board candidates at annual meetings, leading to disruption and to corporate elections that resemble political elections. Others believe that proxy access will have relatively little impact in practice, and that the three percent ownership threshold will mean few shareholder-led campaigns. Find a new analysis of proxy access, produced by the Deloitte US Center for Corporate Governance, via this link, or visit the US Center directly.

1 September 2010     New Guidelines for Governance of Chinese Insurance Companies

The Deloitte China Center for Corporate Governance highlights new guidance from the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) about the governance of insurance companies. The new guidance requires closer monitoring of companies' capital and sets out standards for internal control procedures. Learn more at the China Center's home page.

31 August 2010     Governance of Initial Public Offerings

Deloitte LLP has published an article in its Corporate Governance Monthly publication about the governance considerations for companies contemplating an initial public offering. The article covers key challenges, governance duties of both the board and management, and key governance related listing considerations from the major exchanges. Download the article here or visit the Deloitte US Center for Corporate Governance directly.

27 August 2010     Independent Directors in Asia

The Asian Corporate Governance Association (ACGA) has compiled a report on rules in Asia concerning the number of independent directors that should sit on listed company boards.  Over the past few years, a number of markets such as Thailand, Taiwan, Philippines and Korea have amended their Codes of Corporate Governance to increase the number of independent directors on boards. In some jurisdictions, such as Singapore, Malaysia and Korea, national banking acts set more stringent rules on the board composition of banks.  Find a link to the report from the  Deloitte Singapore Center for Corporate Governance.

26 August 2010     Webcast on Governance Provisions of Dodd-Frank 

The US Center for Corporate Governance has produced a webcast about the corporate governance implications of the recent Dodd-Frank financial reform bill. Among the topics covered are the potential impact of rules for proxy access,  say-on-pay and other compensation-related issues. Download and listen to the webcast here or visit the US Center for Corporate Governance directly.

23 August 2010     A UK Response to the European Green Paper on Governance in Financial Institutions

Much has been written about the recent Green Paper from the European Commission and the possible effect its recommendations might have on banks and financial institutions in Europe. Relatively less has been said about how the recommendations compare to existing rules. Addressing this question, Deloitte UK has produced a report comparing the Green Paper's recommendations to the UK Corporate Governance Code and the recent Walker Review. Existing UK guidance does address many of the Green Paper's suggestions, although there are a number of new areas, including increased regulation of severance packages and measures to combat conflicts of interest. Download the full report here or visit the Deloitte UK Center for Corporate Governance.

19 August 2010    Manual For Transparency Readiness

The Deloitte Chile Center for Corporate Governance has published a Guide to the SVS Manual for Information Disclosure. The SVS (Chile's securities regulator) Manual states that companies must establish policies and standards for disclosure of information relevant to the market as a whole.  See the guide for details on the preparation of the manual here (Spanish only) or visit Chile's Center for Corporate Governance website.

18 August 2010    Deloitte Austria Survey on Supervisory Board Compensation 2009

In its recent survey, Deloitte Austria analyzed the compensation of Supervisory Board Members of companies listed in the Prime Market at the Vienna Stock Exchange. The report gives an overview of individual compensation and various components of the remuneration. The analysis includes basic and total remuneration, variable payments, attendance fees, D&O insurance as well as demographic data relating to gender and age limits for supervisory board members. Review the Deloitte Austria Survey on Supervisory Board Compensation 2009 found on Austria's Center for Corporate Governance website.

12 August 2010     What Boards Need to Know about IFRS Transition in Canada

The Deloitte Canada Center for Corporate Governance has produced the latest version of Countdown, its International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) transition newsletter. In the latest edition, the focus is on what boards need to know - and it is not only about the audit committee. Among the points made are that, for the compensation committee, the measures and meaning of financial statement indicators used in pay plans will change with the adoption of IFRS. Download the report here or visit the Deloitte Canada Center for Corporate Governance.

9 August 2010     Dodd Frank Act Observations

Deloitte US has produced a special research note with observations and an analysis of the recent Dodd-Frank Act, and an overview of its implications for US governance and executive remuneration practices. Find the research via this link, or visit the U.S. Center for Corporate Governance directly.

3 August 2010     Survey of Audit Committee Chairmen in Singapore

The Deloitte Singapore Center for Corporate Governance highlights a recent survey published by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). The survey, of 17 audit committee chairmen, discusses the role that the external audit plays for Singapore companies and how audit committee chairmen view their relationship with the outside auditor. Download the report, entitled “The Value of Audit: Views from Audit Committee Chairmen”, via the Deloitte Singapore Center for Corporate Governance.

2 August 2010     Does Good Governance Pay in Asia?

The newly launched Deloitte India Center for Corporate Governance highlights a newly published report from the research team at CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets. The report looks back over five years of CLSA’s Corporate Governance Scores, removing factors such as market, industry and company size to measure the added price return that comes from companies deciding to follow good governance practices. Surprisingly, the report finds a strong correlation between good governance and performance, including a 7.3 percent improvement in share price performance for every 10 point difference in CLSA’s Corporate Governance Scores over a three-quarter period. Download the report, which includes a list of top-ranked companies in the region as scored by CLSA, at the Deloitte India Center for Corporate Governance.

30 July 2010     Gender Diversity in Australian Boardrooms

How should women be represented on the boards of corporate Australia? Recently revised Corporate Governance Principles issued by the ASX try to answer this question by requiring listed companies to report on gender diversity of their boards. Find a link to the Principles and download a Corporate Governance Alert produced by Deloitte Australia on the subject and its implications; both are available at the Deloitte Australia Center for Corporate Governance.

29 July 2010     Implications of Dodd-Frank

In light of the new financial reform bill in the U.S., the Deloitte U.S. Center for Corporate Governance has posted a briefing from law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP designed to help boards of directors prepare for the effects of the bill on their companies. It provides a timeline of effective dates and a thorough analysis of the bill's implications. Download the briefing directly here or visit the board governance page of the Deloitte U.S. Center for Corporate Governance.

26 July 2010     Corporate Social Responsibility in Europe

Can companies generate sustainable growth if they pursue environmental, social and governance strategies? A recent report from the Austrian Association for Financial Analysis and Asset Management suggests the answer is yes, and argues that such moves can also increase transparency and restore trust lost since the 2008 financial crisis. Download the report at the Deloitte Austria Center for Corporate Governance.

23 July 2010     Launch of Deloitte Chile Center for Corporate Governance

Today, Deloitte Chile launches the website for its Center for Corporate Governance, a resource for news and information relevant to boards of directors and investors in one of South America's most vibrant economies. Read about Chile's recent accession to the OECD, and about about what makes governance in Chile different at the Deloitte Chile Center for Corporate Governance websites, in both English and Spanish.

19 July 2010     FASB Proposes Sweeping Changes to Financial Statement Presentation

In their "Heads-up" publication, Deloitte U.S. discusses the FASB's recently released staff draft of an exposure draft on financial statement presentation. In the staff draft, the FASB takes a fresh look at the manner in which financial information is presented in an entity's statement of financial position, statement of comprehensive income, and statement of cash flows.  View the publication here or visit the U.S. Center for Corporate Governance website.

16 July 2010     Executive Remuneration in Hong Kong

The newly launched Deloitte China Center for Corporate Governance today highlights a recent article about executive pay written by the Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies. The article underlines the need to balance manager and shareholder interests given the unique characteristics of the Hong Kong marketplace. Find a link to the publication here or visit the Deloitte China Center for Corporate Governance directly.

12 July 2010     Europe Approves Limits to Banks' Remuneration Policies

Last week, the European Parliament approved new rules for the remuneration of banks, requiring the deferral of a larger proportion of annual bonuses and limiting, among other things, the amount of cash remuneration in bonuses to 30 percent of the total. The new rules are broadly in line with proposals adopted by the G20 last year. Find more details about the rules via the Deloitte UK Center for Corporate Governance.

8 July 2010     UK Governance News

Deloitte UK has published the latest version of its Governance in Brief report, covering governance issues relevant for UK-domiciled companies. This month's edition discusses the implications of the recently published Stewardship Code for institutional investors and a new approach to director disqualification from the Office of Fair Trading. Download the report here or visit the Deloitte UK Center for Corporate Governance.

7 July 2010     Director Time Commitment

Deloitte Singapore has published a commentary on proposals from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to change the country's governance framework. Find a discussion, among other topics, about the need for each Singaporean board of directors to set clear internal guidance on the time commitment expected of each director. Download the commentary here, or visit the Deloitte Singapore Center for Corporate Governance.

6 July 2010     Termination Payments in Australia

Recent changes to Australia's Corporations Act now require shareholder approval for any payment to a departing executive of more than one year's base salary. The move is part of a global trend giving shareholders more oversight of executive remuneration, including 'say-on-pay' votes in the UK and US, and greater disclosure of executive pay in Brazil. Download a 'Governance Alert' on termination payments from the Deloitte Australia Center for Corporate Governance, or visit the Center directly.

2 July 2010     UK Launches Stewardship Code for Investors

In a first of its kind, the UK's Financial Reporting Council has launched its Stewardship Code for institutional investors. In some ways, the Code is a response to concerns that the financial crisis exposed shareholders as 'absentee landlords' as owners of investee companies. As such, the Code seeks voluntary commitment from large investors to more actively engage with investee companies as owners, to vote their shares, and to collaborate with other investors. It seeks compliance from institutions in the UK and abroad. Despite questions from some quarters that the Code might run up against concerted action rules in the US or lead to micro-management of companies, the Code has so far received a friendly reception from most UK investors. Find a link to the new Code on the homepage of the Deloitte UK Center for Corporate Governance.

30 June     Should Boards Engage Directly with Their Shareholders?

This article, from Canada's Institute of Corporate Directors, makes a strong argument for direct engagement with investors, despite a catalogue of cautionary principles. Among the recommendations: boards should create a shareholder engagement strategy consistent with their resources. Download the full article here or at the Deloitte Canada Center for Corporate Governance. 

29 June     Governance Theory: One Size Does Not Fit All

While it is popular assumption that a more independent and engaged board is a universal model for governance, new research from Singapore has revealed that there may be benefits to differing styles of corporate governance applied to different points in the corporate life cycle. Access the article directly or via the Singapore Center for Corporate Governance.

23 June     Singapore Governance Briefing

The Deloitte Singapore Center for Corporate Governance has posted a presentation on governance developments in Hong Kong and Singapore from the Asian Corporate Governance Association (ACGA). Among the resources in the presentation is an analysis of both positive and negative governance developments in Singapore, including disclosure practices and protection for minority shareholders. Download the presentation here or visit the Deloitte Singapore Center for Corporate Governance.

22 June 2010     German Corporate Governance Forum Published

Deloitte Germany this week published its Corporate Governance Forum, a quarterly review of corporate governance developments in Germany. This month, the Forum discusses the role of Supervisory Boards in strategic decision-making, includes an interview with a prominent member of several supervisory boards and highlights a discussion about why there are so few women on German boards. Download the complete document directly or at the Deloitte Germany Center for Corporate Governance websites, in both English and German

20 June 2010     Launch of Deloitte Austria Center for Corporate Governance

Last week, Deloitte Austria launched its Center for Corporate Governance, a clearinghouse for news and information relevant to boards of directors and investors in Austria. Find out about what makes governance in Austria different at the Deloitte Austria Center for Corporate Governance websites, in both English and German. Included are recent updates to the Austrian Corporate Governance Code and a link to a recent European Commission Green Paper on the corporate governance of financial institutions in Europe.

14 June 2010     New Disclosure Checklist for UK Companies

Deloitte UK has just published a comprehensive checklist for boards of directors as they review their disclosures in connection with the Combined Code of Corporate Governance and the new disclosures of the updated UK Corporate Governance Code. The checklist provides disclosure examples and recommendations for specific circumstances, including where companies seek exemptions from Code provisions. Download the checklist or visit the Deloitte UK Governance Center directly.

12 June 2010     New Research: The Board's Role in Promoting an Ethical Corporate Culture

Deloitte US has produced a new 'Hot Topics' research note, explaining the role of the board of directors in creating and overseeing an ethical culture of compliance across the company. Find this research, including responses from an online survey of over 2,000 financial executives and directors, via this link, or visit the U.S. Center for Corporate Governance directly.

8 June 2010      ICGN Comes to Toronto

This week, the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) convenes its annual conference in Toronto, Canada. Those visiting Toronto for the conference wishing to learn more about Canadian governance practices can navigate to the Canadian Center for Corporate Governance for more information. While there, find a recent, relevant  article about governance and the financial crisis called 'Stress Testing Governance: The Impact of the Recession on Governance Practices.'

6 June 2010     New Whitepaper: Governance in Singapore

Following the launch of the new Deloitte Singapore Center for Corporate Governance, Deloitte Singapore invited governance leaders from Europe and North America to meet with their counterparts in Singapore to participate in a roundtable discussion. The conversation focused on governance in Singapore, its strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. The key thoughts raised by the panelists during their debate are summarized in the whitepaper produced, Resetting, Rethinking, Responding - Governance after the Financial Crisis, is available to download on the website of the Deloitte Singapore Center for Corporate Governance.

4 June 2010      Financial Reporting Council Introduces Changes to U.K. Governance Code

Last week, the U.K.'s Financial Reporting Council launched a number of changes to the Corporate Governance Code (formerly called the Combined Code). Some of these changes are substantial and relate to the role of the board, the board chairman and the kinds of directors and director skills recommended for British boards of directors. For more information, see this special comment from Deloitte U.K. or the main page of the Deloitte U.K. Center for Corporate Governance.

2 June 2010     Boards and Social Media

How should boards of directors respond to the rise in social networking and social media? For a variety of views on the topic, see this review of a recent discussion among non-executive directors facilitated by Deloitte Australia

31 May 2010     Launch of Deloitte Sweden Center for Corporate Governance

Today, Deloitte Sweden launches its Center for Corporate Governance, a clearinghouse for news and information relevant to boards of directors and investors alike. Find a wealth of information about governance practices and developments at the Deloitte Sweden Center for Corporate Governance website.

29 May     U.S. Senate Passes Financial Reform Bill

Late last week, the U.S. Senate passed the 'Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010' which, besides introducing a new financial consumer regulator and more tightly regulating derivatives, introduces a number of corporate governance reforms. Among these are advisory votes on executive compensation (a so-called 'say-on-pay'); enabling the SEC to allow shareholders to place director candidates on corporate ballots (so-called 'proxy access');and requiring disclosure of whether and why the roles of board chairman and CEO are combined. The legislation now goes to a conference committee, where it waits to be reconciled with similar legislation passed by the House of Representatives. For more information, see this link to a governance reform page of the Deloitte U.S. Center for Corporate Governance.