Important Websites
There are several important and useful websites in the corporate governance and company secretarial field.
The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) have produced a number of publications and templates which many Company Secretaries find a valuable reference point.
Linklaters LLP, a global law firm specialising in advising leading companies on their most challenging transactions and assignments. Linklaters produce a forthnightly "UK corporate update" to help their clients keep up-to-date with important legislative and regulatory developments.
The Financial Reporting Council (FRS) is responsible for the publication of the Combined Code on Corporate Governance. Its publications can be found on the Financial Standards Authority (FSA) website.
The role of the Accounting Standards Board (ASB) is to issue accounting standards. It is recognised for that purpose under the Companies Act 1985. It took over the task of setting accounting standards from the Accounting Standards Committee (ASC) in 1990.
Companies House have produced a number of booklets to assist companies to understand the registration requirements of the Companies Act.
The Association of British Insurers has produced important guidance notes on aspects of corporate governance and corporate social responsibility.
The Institutional Voting Information Service 'IVIS monitoring' is based on the various ABI guidelines and notes, and the Combined Code. It is used to identify and report upon corporate governance best practice in respect of matters which are for consideration at company meetings.
The Global Reporting Initiative is setting important standards in the reporting on corporate social responsibility matters.
The FTSE4Good Index Series has been designed to measure the performance of companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards, and to facilitate investment in those companies.
The National Association of Pension Funds represents the interests of the occupational pensions movement, organises conferences and training programs for members.
The Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes are the first global indexes tracking the financial performance of the leading sustainability-driven companies worldwide.