Updated and expanded, this second edition provides directors--and attorneys advising directors--with information on the policies and underlying issues that shape director fiduciary duties and the other corporate governance requirements. It describes the legal and economic context in which these governance requirements arise, and also outlines the implementation details that can affect specific governance related decisions. It also includes sample summary materials in the form of PowerPoint presentations to use as starting points to prepare training or explanatory sessions before a board or management.
More and more, the agenda of corporate governance reform has been calling for a dramatic change in the composition and structure of boards of publicly traded companies, with particular criticism reserved for the role of independent directors. This timely, ground-breaking book takes a new and rigorous approach to this important issue. Investigating board independence from a distinctly original perspective, the author's systematic analysis explores the effective interaction of such aspects as the following: What specific functions are expected of independent directors? How these functions fit with the unitary board structure? Why independent directors are seen as inherently necessary for corporate governance? Whether board independence can be compatible with other governance mechanisms? How mainstream company law is applied to independent directors. The analysis leads to a series of solutions designed to eliminate the real and perceived obstacles to the proper functioning of independent directors. In the process, the author discusses such critical 'moments' in corporate governance as monitoring, public relations, social responsibility, shareholder activism, the danger of 'groupthink', remuneration, collective liability, and codes of conduct. The discussion and analysis chart a course through which independent directors can better serve the goal of improving the system of corporate governance. As such, it will be greatly appreciated by investors, corporate counsel for institutional investors, and policymakers and academics in relevant areas of both business and law.
The Handbook on Independent Directors covers the roles, duties, responsibilities and authority of corporate directors. This handbook on Independent Directors is the perfect guide and must have for ID’s who want to have a better understanding of their role in the Board, and perform effectively. It is the perfect tool to help be aware of all aspects of being an Independent Directors.
The importance of having individuals with no financial, personal, or material attachments, as directors of the company stemmed primarily from the proverb, “whomever pays the piper dictates the tune.” As each board director represented various interests, ranging from institutional investors, shareholders with large holdings, venture capitalists, the CEO among others which may supersede the interests of the company and the shareholders.Therefore, the need for a director bearing impartiality and objectivity to the board brought forth the 'independent director' who would, occupy a unique position to dissect through the core issues and find a neutral position where issues arises in the boardroom; being a bridge builder in difficult conversations; bring in a specific expertise to the board and utilize his or her networking abilities and other resources to enhance the company's portfolio. This article therefore seeks to examine who an independent director is, the difference from non-executive directors, the roles of independent directors, frameworks imposing the inclusion of independent directors as well as the evaluation of independence and its application in Nigeria, while juxtaposing it with other countries.
China is an increasingly influential emerging economy that is currently attracting the attention of academics, practitioners, and policy makers. This book is a collection of cutting edge research findings on issues relating to the experiences and challenges of China's capital market development.
Updated and expanded, The Role of Independent Directors provides a concise plain English overview for corporate directors of their duties and their place in the corporate governance process.
This book is intended to provide independent directors and their advisors with an understanding of the primary legal and governance issues that have evolved in the corporate governance environment since the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in 2002. The text on the accompanying CD-ROM sourcebook offers hypertext linked footnotes to direct lawyers (or interested non-lawyers) to legal source material.
Things will always go wrong in organisations. The question is how quickly will they get caught and put right? The problem facing every organisation today – our businesses, universities, health services, or the many other sporting and charitable institutions that shape our society – is that the relationship between their executive management and those whose job it is to oversee them (whether they are called non-executive or independent directors, trustees, or governors) has become unbalanced. The Independent Director in Society shows how to rebalance it. Based on original, in-depth research from Henley Business School, this is the first book to survey and analyse the governance crisis right across society rather than just focus upon the business sector. The authors show that – despite their many differences – all organisations have many issues, behaviours and problems in common. The same problems require, in many cases, the same solutions. Sometimes they don’t. The authors offer two answers. The first lies in the realm of policy. Not a need for more legislation, but a move to give the existing codes of practice back their teeth and make them fit for purpose. The second lies with independent directors themselves. Urgent improvement is needed in standards of thought and action as well as the calibre of these directors. Above all, directors need to develop an independent mindset that will enable them to make better, more accurate decisions. There are many elements to creating this culture, including selection, training and education for directors, and support from chairs and executive teams, but most of all directors themselves must recognise their responsibilities in a complex and volatile world.
About the Book Independent Directors require a special set of skills, attitude and mindset to act independently and take unbiased, neutral views on matters before them in the Board. In order to provide and invigorate basic knowledge in corporate laws, upgrade and evaluate the required skills of Independent Directors and to prepare a databank of such qualified and eligible persons, the rules necessitate to have a Data-bank in place. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs in consonance with Companies (Creation and Maintenance of databank of Independent Directors) Rules, 2019 and Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Amendment Rules, 2019, empanels Directors that are registered with them and have passed the Online Proficiency Self-Assessment Test. MCA has authorised the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) to maintain the Data-bank as well as conduct the Online Proficiency Self-Assessment Test. This book covers the entire gamut of syllabus for the purpose of the Online Proficiency Self-Assessment Test. It has been divided into 4 parts and 36 chapters. Part-I details Syllabus, scheme, scope and text of relevant Notifications. Part-II encompasses 36 chapters covering over 1700 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) on all these topics including case studies. The chapters also contain the answer key for self-assessment. Part-III contains the text of relevant provisions/extracts of Companies Act 2013, Company Rules, SCRA, SEBI guidelines etc. Part-IV integrates extracts of Indian and International Corporate Governance Codes/ Guidelines for reference and further readings. Key Features A useful guide for Independent Director aspirants appearing for online proficiency self assessment test. Covers entire syllabus viz, company law, SEBI guidelines, corporate governance etc. Includes case studies. Over 1700 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with answer key. Author's own experiences and learning as Independent Director shared in MCQs. Useful for other MBA/Commerce/Corporate Governance students.
