Disciplinary action highlights importance of AIM companies liaising with their nominated advisers

Of interest to many an AIM company secretary wishing to ensure compliance within their organisation will be disciplinary action recently taken by the AIM Disciplinary Committee (ADC) in relation to an AIM company breaching rules by failing to provide its nominated adviser (nomad) with “information reasonably required to carry out the nomad’s responsibilities”. Continue reading

Steps are being taken to guard against modern slavery in UK supply chains

Modern slavery, in its various forms, affects around 21 million people worldwide and is a multi-billion pound industry. It is surprising that slavery even exists in the 21st century, but it does. In 2015, then-Home Secretary Theresa May introduced the Modern Slavery Act to try to prevent UK businesses from becoming part of the problem.

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The ‘Brexit’ vote and the unforeseen consequence for corporate governance  

The UK electorate’s decision to leave the European Union has triggered a period of uncertainty for the nation until Article 50 is triggered at some point next year. Jobs, economic growth and freedom of movement are sure to be big issues for the public, but perhaps one area that is likely to see especially great, albeit largely unforeseen change as a result of the vote is corporate governance. Continue reading

Changes to the guidance for multi-academy trust governing bodies

Regardless of the size of organisation, good governance is essential – it helps to hold key decision makers to account, ensure that records are kept correctly and accurately and enhance transparency. Ultimately, good governance should be seen as a means of making a business’s procedures more efficient, not as a layer of red tape through which to break. Continue reading

Revamp to EU data protection legislation for 2018

The European Commission has recently moved to strengthen and improve data protection laws in the European Union, with the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The GDPR comes into force in May 2018 and operates similarly to the Data Protection Act that it replaces. Although the current legislation applies to all “personal data” that is received by organisations, following advancements in technology, the new legislation offers a broader definition of “personal data”, with online identifiers – such as IP addresses – receiving greater protection than previously. Continue reading

People with Significant Control Registers – a guide to the newest statutory register

The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 made changes to the Companies Act 2006, creating a requirement that companies keep a new register detailing the individuals or legal entities that have control over them, known as a People with Significant Control Register or a PSC Register.

The requirement to keep a PCS Register was introduced as part of the government’s commitment to improve the transparency of companies to state publicly who owns and controls UK businesses. Previously, it was only listed companies who had to publish this information.

Since 6 April 2016, the majority of UK companies and LLPs have been required to maintain a PSC register, which must be filed at Companies House as part of the first annual confirmation statement, which will replace the annual return from 30 June 2016.

The details of any individuals who meet the criteria of having significant control need to be entered in to the register. The PSC register can also contain details of corporate entities that have control if they are classed as Registerable Legal Entities (‘RLEs’) under the legislation. The definition of a RLE includes UK companies as well as overseas incorporated companies that are listed on certain specified, regulated markets. Where a non-UK company has control but does not meet the definition of a RLE, it is necessary to identify the individuals behind that company.

We have produced a short guide which details the tests used to decide whether a person or legal entity has significant control over your company and explains the definition of a RLE.

London Registrars offers a range of corporate governance, risk and compliance services. As part of our basic company secretarial support service we would hold and maintain your company’s statutory registers, including the PSC register, securely at our central London office, file changes with Companies House, and prepare and file your company’s annual return or confirmation statement. For an informal, no obligations discussion on how we can assist you, please contact us.

 

Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act is now law

The Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act 2016 originates from a 2014 draft bill called the Protection of Charities Bill, which was created with the purpose of giving the Charity Commission greater powers for tackling those culpable of abuse in charities.

This Act received Royal Assent on 16th March 2016, and changed the law relating to charities in a number of ways. Only two of the Act’s provisions came into force at the time of its receiving Royal Assent, and its other measures are set to be phased in over the remainder of this year and into 2017. Continue reading