2024 AGM and reporting season: what to expect

Introduction

This briefing summarises key developments to be aware of when preparing for 2024 annual general meetings and compiling the narrative aspects of annual reports.  It is aimed principally at UK incorporated premium listed companies.  It also covers material developments for standard listed companies, AIM companies and large private companies. 

Considerations for 2024 AGMs

We cover:

• Developments since the publication of the 2022 Statement of Principles and Template Resolutions by the Pre-Emption Group, as well as publication of the 2023 Share Capital Management Guidelines by the Investment Association.
• Resolutions and practice in 2023.
• Key points from various updated voting guidelines including those of the Investment Association, Institutional Shareholder Services, Glass Lewis and the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association.

Considerations for 2024 narrative reporting

We cover:

• Climate-related reporting developments, in particular in relation to reporting in accordance with The Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) recommendations.
• Diversity reporting pursuant to the FCA Listing Rules and Disclosure Rules and Transparency Guidance/DTRs and various voluntary initiatives.
• Remuneration reporting.
• Publications issued by the Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Reporting Council and others including reports analysing the quality of annual reporting in general and corporate governance reporting in particular.
• Progress on a variety of other developments that will affect future reporting including: government proposals for climate-related transition plans and the implementation of the International Sustainability Standards Board's standards.

We considered many of these issues at our recent AGC conference 2023.  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.

At the end of this briefing we also set out, and link to, key documents published in 2023.

A. Considerations for 2024 AGMs

Considerations for 2024 AGMS: What we cover

1. Pre-emption disapplication resolutions.
2. A retrospective on practice and resolutions in 2023.
3. Updated voting guidelines: Investment Association, Glass Lewis, ISS and PLSA.

A1. Pre-emption disapplication resolutions

PEG revised Statement of Principles on the disapplication of pre-emption rights

By way of reminder, on 4 November 2022 the Pre-Emption Group revised its Statement of Principles on the disapplication of pre-emption rights and its template resolutions.  Key changes include those in the table below: 

See section A1 of our 2023 AGM and narrative reporting briefing here and our standalone briefing here for more detail on the revised Statement of Principles.

See section A2 below for analysis of the percentage of companies that sought the increased thresholds in 2023.

IA Share Capital Management Guidelines 2023

In February 2023, the Investment Association (IA) revised its Share Capital Management Guidelines (SCMG).  Key changes to the SCMG include: 

• Companies can continue to seek annual allotment authorities of up to two thirds of ISC, but with the authority able to extend not just to rights issues (as was previously the case) but to all forms of fully pre-emptive offers.
• Changes to endorse the revised Statement of Principles and template resolutions (although also noting that the disapplication of 'lesser amounts' may be appropriate for some companies).
• Making it clear that, where a company is seeking authorities pursuant to the Pre-Emption Group's template resolutions, IA members expect the company to confirm in its notice of meeting that it will follow the shareholder protections and approach to follow-on offers as set out in the revised Statement of Principles.

The approach of IVIS

The approach of the Institutional Voting Information Service (IVIS), the IA’s voting research service, as set out in the SCMG, is to 'red top' (i.e. flag significant governance concerns) companies that seek: 

• a routine disapplication of pre-emption rights in excess of 24 per cent of ISC; or
• a disapplication of pre-emption rights up to 24 per cent of ISC that does not: (i) follow the template resolutions; (ii) confirm that it will follow the shareholder protections in Part 2B of the Statement of Principles; and (iii) confirm that it will follow the expected features of a follow-on offer as set out in paragraph 3 of Part 2B of the Statement of Principles.

As we noted in last year's briefing, it is worth reiterating that the Statement of Principles is supported by the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association and the Investment Association as representatives of owners and investment managers.  Glass Lewis and ISS have also indicated their support. 

A2. A retrospective on practice and resolutions in 2023

In this section, we summarise our view of market practice from the 2023 AGM season.  Among other issues, we look at: additional one third allotment resolutions; pre-emption disapplication resolutions; meeting format; shareholder engagement; and say on climate resolutions.  Some statistics are sourced from Practical Law's 'What's Market practice Insights and Trends report on Annual Reporting and AGMs 2023'; and others are sourced from the LexisNexis 'Market Standards Trend Report - AGM Season 2023 - investor voting and key trends'.  Both publications were issued in November 2023.

Additional one third allotment resolutions

According to Practical Law's 2023 Insights Report, the number of companies seeking the additional one third allotment authority remains relatively unchanged at 62 per cent of FTSE 100 companies (61 per cent in 2022) and 79 per cent of FTSE 250 companies (82 per cent in 2022). 

Pre-emption disapplication resolutions

According to Practical Law's 2023 Insights Report, 82 per cent of FTSE 100 companies and 86 per cent of FTSE 250 companies sought the additional pre-emption disapplication, i.e. a power to disapply pre-emption rights for use in connection with an acquisition or specified capital investment in addition to a power for general purposes.  

Notwithstanding the enhanced levels of pre-emption disapplication that may now be sought pursuant to the 2022 Statement of Principles, in 2023 a slim majority (51 per cent) of companies sought up to 10 per cent of ISC (i.e. two resolutions of 5 per cent), whereas 49 per cent sought the enhanced levels of up to 20/24 per cent of ISC. 

Meeting format

The return to physical meetings continued in 2023.  According to LexisNexis' 2023 Market Standards Trend Report, physical meetings were up by 28 per cent, hybrid meetings were down by 37 per cent and virtual meetings were down by 33 per cent. 

Engagement with shareholders

Engagement with shareholders before and at meetings remains in focus, as we discussed in section 4 of last year's briefing when we also reviewed the FRC Good Practice Guidance for Company Meetings (July 2022). 

According to Practical Law's 2023 Insights Report, allowing questions to be asked in advance of a meeting remains a feature although fewer companies in 2023 offered remote attendees the chance to ask questions in real time during the meeting itself. 

Disruption at AGMs

Disruption of meetings, both outside and, for a few, inside the meeting continued in 2023.  Several financial institutions and oil and gas companies were reported to have suffered disruption including Lloyds of London, Barclays plc, BP plc and Shell plc.  Some water companies were reported to have been subject to protests including United Utilities plc and Pennon Group (parent company of South West Water plc).  Tesco plc was also targeted.

Disruption was largely caused by environmental protest groups and, inside the meeting, took the form of repeated questions, speeches, shouting and singing.  In some cases this necessitated the removal of protesters by security. 

Say on climate resolutions

Say on climate resolutions were far fewer in 2023.  This may be because many activist shareholders await the publication of climate-related transition plans (see Section B for more on this).  Practical Law noted just eight climate-related resolutions in 2023 (six FTSE 100 and two FTSE 250 companies), compared to 17 in 2022. 

Other resolutions

Resolutions not passed.  Practical Law's 2023 Insights Report notes 23 resolutions were not passed in 2023 (compared to 17 in 2022).  Of these, eight were pre-emption disapplication resolutions, eight were requisitioned resolutions, three were resolutions relating to the purchase of own shares, two were allotment authority resolutions and two were annual remuneration report resolutions.

Requisitioned resolutions.  We are aware of shareholder requisitioned resolutions at five AGMs in 2023.  At three companies, these were climate-related resolutions (Glencore plc, BP plc and Shell plc), at another company they were to elect new directors (Hammerson plc) and at the fifth, the resolutions related to a series of issues including pensions and the company's dividend policy.  Therefore, despite the publication by the IA of its Member Guidance on 'Effective requisitioning of shareholder resolutions' (June 2023), the incidence of them remains limited.

A3. Updated voting guidelines

In this section, we cover (i) IA shareholder priorities for 2023; (ii) Glass Lewis 2024 UK proxy voting guidelines and ESG guidelines; (iii) Institutional Shareholder Services proxy voting guidelines; and (iv) PLSA stakeholder and voting guidelines 2023.

IA shareholder priorities 2023

At the time of writing, the Investment Association has not published its shareholder priorities for the next AGM season.  We expect them to be published in February/March 2024. 

We anticipate that the themes in 2024 will be similar to the past two years – i.e. climate change, diversity, audit quality and 'stakeholder voice'.  When released, we will cover them in an AGC Update.

Set out in the table below are some key points from the IA's 2023 Shareholder Priorities.  For more detail, see Item 2 of AGC Update, Issue 33 here.

Glass Lewis 2024 UK proxy voting guidelines

Proxy advisory service Glass Lewis has published its 2024 UK Proxy Voting Policy Guidelines effective for meetings from 1 January 2024.  The key amendments include those set out in the next table.  (See section B3 below for Glass Lewis' changes as regards remuneration and director shareholding requirements.)

Glass Lewis 2024 Shareholder Proposals & ESG-Related Issues

Glass Lewis has also published its 2024 shareholder proposals & ESG-related issues guidelines, also effective for meetings from 1 January 2024.  Key changes include the following.

• Board accountability for climate-related issues. In 2024, Glass Lewis will apply its policy of director accountability to large-cap companies operating in industries where the SASB has determined that companies' GHG emissions represent a financially material risk. Director accountability in this context includes the need for thorough disclosures in line with the TCFD Recommendations as well as explicit and clearly defined oversight responsibilities for climate-related issues. Glass Lewis may recommend a vote against responsible directors if such disclosures are absent or significantly lacking.
• Engagement between companies and investors. As regards shareholder proposals, where there is compelling disclosure that either party has failed to engage in good faith, Glass Lewis may take such information into account when making recommendations on shareholder proposals. Glass Lewis also believes that companies should make a concerted effort to provide disclosure on engagement with their broader shareholder base on issues raised by such shareholder proposals.

Institutional Shareholder Services/ISS Proxy Voting Guidelines

In December 2023, ISS published its Benchmark Policy Changes for 2024, with no material changes being made.  The revised policies will be applied for shareholder meetings taking place on or after 1 February 2024, except where otherwise noted for later implementation.  (See section 5 of our 2023 AGM and narrative reporting briefing here for the substantive changes implemented by ISS to its guidelines last year.)

PLSA stakeholder and voting guidelines 2023

At the time of writing, the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) has not published its stakeholder and voting guidelines for 2024.  These are usually published in February/March of each year.  When published, we will cover them in an AGC Update.  

The PLSA's current guidelines were published in March 2023.  They are designed to help pension fund trustees, investment managers and other institutional investors decide how to exercise their votes at annual general meetings.  They tackle issues including board leadership, audit, risk and internal control, remuneration, climate change and workforce.  They also contain an appendix summarising all of the PLSA's voting recommendations.  In the next table are the three main themes that the PLSA has identified as having particular relevance for 2023.

B. Considerations for 2024 narrative reporting

We cover the developments listed in the table below as being particularly relevant for the 2023 annual reports of those with 31 December year ends. 

There are a number of other developments that will affect future narrative reporting, not least the FRC consultation on its revisions to the UK Corporate Governance Code (although now severely curtailed) and also the revised Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA) Code published in November 2023 and effective for financial years beginning on or after 1 April 2024.  At the end of this briefing, at section B5, we note where in our AGC Updates more information can be found on these and other future reporting developments.

B1. TCFD reporting and related developments

In this section we: (i) review TCFD reporting; (ii) note progress on reporting standards issued by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB); and (iii) cover developments on transition plans (TPs). 

TCFD reporting

Recap.  By way of reminder, TCFD reporting is now required by all premium and standard listed companies on a partial 'comply or explain' basis pursuant to the FCA's Listing Rules.  Also, mandatory TCFD-aligned reporting, broadly in line with TCFD recommendations and recommended disclosures, is required of certain large 'traded' and AIM companies; and large and high turnover private companies and LLPs, pursuant to the Companies Act 2006. 

Our 2022 AGM and narrative reporting briefing here contains more detail on the Listing Rules requirements, and our 2023 AGM and narrative briefing here contains more detail on the Companies Act 2006 requirements.

Lessons from 2023.  Supervision of TCFD reporting is undertaken by both the FCA and the FRC.  In 2023, the FRC issued a climate-related thematic review, and subsequently, as part of its annual review of corporate reporting, it further considered environment and TCFD disclosures.  Set out below are the key findings of each review.  

FRC thematic review of climate-related metrics and targets.  In July 2023, the FRC issued a thematic review of the climate-related metrics and targets disclosed by 20 premium and standard listed companies.  Those reviewed operated in four sectors (materials and buildings, energy, banks, and asset managers) covered by TCFD sector-specific supplemental guidance included in the TCFD 'Implementing the Recommendations' document (the 'TCFD Annex').

The FRC considered four overarching questions: 

• Has climate-related metrics and targets reporting improved since last year?
• Are companies adequately disclosing their plans for transitioning to a lower carbon economy, including interim milestones and progress?
• Are companies using consistent and comparable metrics?
• Are companies explaining how their targets have affected the financial statements?

The review sets out the FRC's cross-sector and sector-specific observations and its expectations of companies’ future reporting.  It also identifies areas of better reporting practice as well as opportunities for improvement.  The table below sets out the main areas in need of improvement.

The review also states that greenwashing continues to be an area of concern and one that is likely to intensify.  The FRC recommends that key messages on metrics and targets are not obscured by the volume of reporting and companies should not place undue emphasis on less material areas of their business that are 'greener'.  The FRC also recommends that companies consider if the use of terms such as 'sustainable' or 'carbon positive' could imply a greater level of environmental benefit has been achieved than is really the case.  For more information on greenwashing risk, see our briefing -  'Greenwatch: Issue 2: enforcement action and new laws against greenwashing' here.

FRC annual review of corporate reporting – environment and climate-related aspects.  In November 2023, the FRC issued its annual review of corporate reporting.  As well as summarising the thematic review discussed above, it also summarised findings from its routine reviews as regards both TCFD and climate disclosures in financial statements.

The FRC wrote to 75 companies about their TCFD reporting.  In a small number of cases it raised substantive queries and sought specific undertakings from companies to improve the clarity of their statement of consistency with the TCFD framework.  The FRC states that, in the second year of reporting against the TCFD framework, it is more likely to enter into substantive correspondence with a company which does not meet the expectations set in both its 2022 and 2023 thematic reports, especially when climate change is significant for the company and it does not provide the TCFD recommended disclosures that are ‘particularly expected’ by the Listing Rules.  The FRC also notes that it will continue to work closely with the FCA.

The review provides statistics on FRC correspondence with companies in respect of TCFD disclosures in the financial statements in the hope this information will guide companies as to which areas may need more attention in preparing future annual reports and accounts.  The main reasons for the FRC contacting companies in relation to their TCFD disclosures are summarised in the below table, with substantive queries being raised in relation to points 2, 3 and 5.

As regards climate change in the financial statements, the FRC also raised issues relating to a variety of IFRS standards, making more substantive enquiries in relation to IAS 36 ‘Impairment of Assets’ than any other standard.  In doing so it queried whether climate risks discussed in narrative reporting had been appropriately incorporated into impairment testing.  It also obtained agreement from companies to increase disclosure about climate-related assumptions.

ISSB standards

Recap.  As mentioned in last year's briefing, the ISSB was created to deliver a comprehensive global baseline of sustainability-related disclosure standards to inform investors and others about companies' sustainability-related risks and opportunities, with the expectation being that the ISSB would ultimately replace the TCFD.  In its October 2023 Annual Progress Report, the Financial Stability Board (FSB), which created the TCFD, confirmed that the TCFD's work was complete and that it had requested the ISSB (rather than the TCFD) to report in 2024 on progress in relation to climate-related financial disclosures.

Developments in 2023.  In June 2023, the ISSB published its first two Sustainability Disclosure Standards (SDSs).

Related guidance on how companies can comply with both standards can be found at Appendix B to each Standard.

As regards timing, the ISSB states that IFRS S1 and S2 are effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2024.  This means that the first financial reports to use them will be published in 2025.  Earlier use of the standards is allowed so long as both standards are used together and the company discloses that it is using them.  For more detail, see AGC Issue 38.

Implementation of UK SDS.  It is for individual jurisdictions to mandate use of the ISSB SDSs and by which companies and the timeframe over which this might take place.

In August 2023, the Department of Business and Trade (DBT) announced that the Secretary of State for Business and Trade will consider the endorsement of the ISSB SDSs so as to create UK Sustainability Disclosure Standards (UK SDS) by July 2024.  The DBT indicated that the UK SDS will only divert from the global baseline if absolutely necessary for UK specific matters.  Decisions to require disclosure will be taken independently by the UK government for UK registered companies and limited liability partnerships, and by the FCA for UK listed companies. 

To assist with the assessment and endorsement of IFRS S1 and IFRS S2, and implementation of resulting UK SDS, the government has established two committees: (i) the UK Sustainability Disclosure Technical Advisory Committee (TAC); and (ii) the UK Sustainability Disclosure Policy and Implementation Committee.  The TAC's call for evidence on IFRS S1 and S2 closed on 11 October 2023.  It sought views on whether application of these standards in a UK context would result in disclosures that are understandable, relevant, reliable and comparable for investors.  It also considered whether the disclosures required by IFRS S1 and S2 are technically feasible to prepare in a UK context and whether they could be prepared in a timely way alongside general purpose financial reports.

In October 2023, the government launched a further call for evidence seeking views on the costs, benefits and practicalities of reporting Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions and the current Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting framework.  The responses will help inform the government's decision on whether and how to adopt IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 to create UK SDS.

As stated above, the FCA will decide whether and how the Standards will apply to UK listed companies.  In August 2023, the FCA issued Primary Market Bulletin 45 and set out its position on both ISSB standards and TPs as further elaborated below.

Transition plans

Recap.  By way of reminder, a climate-related TP is an aspect of an entity's overall strategy that lays out the entity's targets, actions or resources for its transition towards a lower-carbon economy.  The FCA Listing Rules already include a certain amount of guidance on TPs. 

As we noted in last year's briefing, the TPT was set up in 2022 with the aim of developing the 'gold standard' for high quality TPs, considered key to delivering corporate net zero targets and the global transition to a decarbonised and climate-resilient economy.

Developments in 2023.  In October 2023 the TPT finalised and launched its Disclosure Framework and Implementation Guidance, and called for companies to start their TPs now using the TPT’s best practice resources.

TPT Disclosure Framework.  The Disclosure Framework is designed to be consistent with and build on the ISSB SDSs discussed above.  IFRS S2 includes provisions relating to transition planning and the TPT Framework provides disclosure recommendations to be of assistance in this regard.

The Disclosure Framework's overall aim is to help organisations set out a credible and robust TP as part of annual reporting on forward business strategy. 

“Transition plans should take a strategic and rounded approach which explains how an organisation will meet climate targets, manage climate-related risks, and contribute to the economy-wide climate transition.  Transition planning is an iterative process and companies should get started now.” (Source: TPT Disclosure Framework, October 2023).

The Disclosure Framework centres around three principles: ambition, action and accountability.  Below these sit five overarching disclosure elements: foundations; implementation strategy; engagement strategy; metrics and targets; and governance.  Within these elements are sub-elements requiring disclosures covering 19 issues such as strategic ambition (i.e. a company's objective and priorities to respond to and contribute to the transition), financial metrics and targets, GHG metrics and targets, board oversight and reporting, and incentives and remuneration. 

TPT Implementation Guidance.  The Implementation Guidance covers a variety of areas including: guidance on the transition planning cycle (how to start or continue a transition planning journey); guidance on each TPT sub-element (explaining why each is included and additional disclosure considerations), and examples; and guidance on legal considerations relevant to the TPT Framework. 

The TPT is also consulting on high-level sector specific guidance covering decarbonisation metrics and targets for 40 sectors, as well as draft deep-dive guidance for seven sectors: asset managers, asset owners, banks, electric utilities and power generators, those in food and beverage, metals and mining, and oil and gas.

For more detail on the TPT Disclosure Framework and Implementation Guidance, see our client briefing here. 

B2. Diversity reporting

In this section, we look at: (i) diversity reporting pursuant to the Listing Rules and the Disclosure Rules and Transparency Guidance (DTRs); (ii) developments relating to FTSE Women Leaders Initiative; and (iii) developments relating to the Parker Review of the ethnic diversity of UK boards. 

Diversity reporting pursuant to the Listing Rules and DTRs

Recap.  For reporting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2022, the Listing Rules require UK and overseas premium and standard listed companies with listed equity (excluding open-ended investment companies and shell companies) to report in their annual reports on a 'comply or explain' basis against the diversity targets in the table below.

The rules require disclosure of, amongst other things, the reference date used and board changes that have occurred between the reference date and the date on which the annual report is approved and which have affected the company's ability to meet one or more of the targets. 

The rules also require mandatory disclosure of data relating to the gender and racial make-up of the board and the most senior tier of executive management using standardised templates. 

Effective for the same period, amended DTRs require enhanced disclosures on board diversity policies, namely that they should also describe how they apply to the board's key committees relative to an enhanced list of potentially relevant diversity considerations (with ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and socio-economic background having been added).

In-scope companies with a 31 December 2023 year end will be making these disclosures on a mandatory basis for the first time this year. 

Developments in and lessons from 2023.  In Primary Market Bulletin 44 (March 2023), the FCA focussed on diversity and inclusion on boards and within executive management teams in the context of these new requirements.  PMB 44 therefore acted as a reminder of the rules, guidance and all the FCA's expectations, including by setting out the steps a company might take to prepare for making the relevant disclosures.  It also set out the FCA's supervisory strategy for monitoring and enforcing compliance with the new rules, which is summarised in the below table.

For the FRC's view on diversity reporting pursuant to the Code, see section B4 below.  

Diversity reporting and FTSE Women Leaders

In February 2023, FTSE Women Leaders Review, the independent, voluntary and business-led initiative supported by government, published its second report on the gender balance of the boards of the largest UK companies.

Although the Review's targets have now been largely encompassed within the FCA's Listing Rules requirements, the Review remains an influential initiative as well as having points of difference.  In particular, the Review has extended its scope beyond FTSE 350 companies to include the largest 50 private companies in the UK by sales.

By way of reminder, the Review's four recommendations are set out in the next table.

Diversity reporting and the Parker Review

In March 2023, the Parker Review Committee published its 2023 update on the ethnic diversity of UK business.  As well as reporting on the achievement of its then current targets (see AGC Update, Issue 34 for more on this aspect), it also set some new targets including those set out below.

B3. Remuneration reporting

In this section we note key remuneration aspects of Glass Lewis's Benchmark Policy Guidelines for 2024.  The IA's Principles of Remuneration for 2024 have not yet been published.  We understand they are due out in the next few weeks and will cover them in an AGC Update at that time. 

Glass Lewis 2024 Voting Guidelines

Glass Lewis has introduced some new concepts into its voting guidelines for remuneration for 2024 in respect of LTIP performance conditions.  It discourages any variation to performance conditions after grant of an award.  Its expectation is that performance share awards should have at least two metrics and that one of these should involve use of a comparator group.  Glass Lewis also notes its preference for financial over non-financial performance metrics for LTIPs.

In respect of performance measures related to ESG factors, Glass Lewis emphasises that these must be sufficiently stretching.  It notes that certain social measures are an expectation (e.g. ethical behaviour or compliance with policies) and therefore such conditions are not testing enough to be stretching performance measures for an LTIP or bonus award.

Glass Lewis is supportive of so-called "restricted share awards" – i.e. share awards without performance conditions attached.  However, it notes that where such awards are granted, these should have a 50 per cent reduction to the previous grant value for LTIP awards from prior years, a vesting and holding period of at least five years and a performance underpin which provides remuneration committees with a broad discretion to lapse awards where either company or individual performance does not justify pay-outs.

Finally, Glass Lewis has included a recommendation that executive directors should have share ownership requirements (as already recommended in the IA Principles of Remuneration).  It notes that these shareholding requirements should not only apply for the duration of the executives' tenure, but also for two years post-termination.

QCA Corporate Governance Code

AIM companies should also be mindful of the revised Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA) Code of Corporate Governance and, in particular its expectations as regards remuneration.  The revised QCA Code applies to reporting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2024.  See the table at section B5 of this briefing for a link to our client briefing on the revised QCA Code.

B4. FRC views on corporate reporting

We now look at viewsa variety of FRC publications relating to corporate reporting including: (i) priority sectors and areas of focus; (ii) the annual review of corporate reporting; (iii) the annual review of corporate governance reporting; and (iv) audit committee reporting. 

FRC priority sectors and areas of focus

In December 2023, the FRC announced its priority sectors for corporate reporting reviews and audit quality inspections for 2024/25, as set out in the table below:

Being in a priority sector is only one risk factor amongst many which the FRC takes account of when making selections for monitoring.  Companies and audits not in a priority sector may still be selected for review, particularly those in financial services.

At the same time, the FRC also announced the areas of focus to which its programme of corporate reporting reviews and audit quality inspections will pay particular attention, as set out in the next table.

FRC annual review of corporate reporting 2022/23

In October 2023, the FRC published its Annual Review of Corporate Reporting which contains the findings from the FRC's monitoring activities, together with its expectations for the coming reporting season.  Overall, the FRC felt that the general quality of corporate reporting across FTSE 350 companies had been maintained, which it felt was a positive outcome in the context of a 'challenging trading and reporting environment'. 

As regards financial reporting, the most frequently raised areas in need of improvement included impairments, and judgments and estimates.  The FRC also continued to identify a significant number of issues with cash flow statements.

As regards narrative reporting, the most common aspects of the Companies Act 2006 on which the FRC asked questions of companies were the requirement for the strategic report to be ‘fair, balanced and comprehensive’, and compliance with distributable profits requirements when paying dividends and repurchasing shares.  The table below contains examples of specific instances where the FRC challenged companies.

 The Annual Review of Corporate Reporting also now includes the FRC's key disclosure expectations for 2023/2024 (this used to be published separately).  The next table sets out some key points.

 FRC annual review of corporate governance reporting 2023

In November 2023, the FRC issued its Annual Review of Corporate Governance Reporting.  The review considers the reporting of 100 premium listed companies, comprising a mixture of FTSE 100, FTSE 250 and Small Caps.  The next table contains a brief summary of some of the key messages.

“We are pleased to see clear progress made by some companies in providing transparent and insightful disclosures.  However, more work is needed across the board to meet stakeholder expectations through clear reporting that provides genuine insights into governance outcomes and actions.” (Source: FRC Press Release - Strides made in corporate governance reporting but more work needed to meet stakeholder expectations, 16 November 2023)

FRC minimum standard as regards audit committees and external audit

In May 2023, the FRC published 'Audit Committees and the External Audit: Minimum Standard'.  This Standard is applicable to audit committees of companies with a premium listing and which are included within the FTSE 350 index.

The Standard is currently voluntary and will remain so until primary legislation is passed to make it mandatory (which will also likely create the FRC's successor body - the Audit, Reporting and Governance Authority/ ARGA, which is not expected to take place during the next session of Parliament).  Nevertheless, the FRC encourages companies within scope to begin to apply the Standard as soon as they are able.

The Standard covers the following areas: scope and authority of the audit committee; its responsibilities; audit tendering; oversight of audit and auditors; and reporting.  As regards reporting, many reporting expectations repeat Provision 26 of the UK Corporate Governance Code.  However, there are some additional requirements, namely for the annual report to include:

• An explanation of the application of a company's accounting policies.

• Where shareholders have requested that certain matters be covered in an audit and that request has been rejected, an explanation of the reasons why.

• Where a regulatory inspection of the quality of a company’s audit has taken place, information about the findings of that review, together with any remedial action the auditor is taking in the light of these findings.

While the Standard does not prescribe where the below disclosures are made, it expects that:

• If a tender process has taken place within the year, the audit committee should explain the criteria used to make the selection and the process followed.

• The audit committee should report on the activities it has undertaken to meet the requirements of the Standard.

B5. Future reporting developments

There are a number of further developments that will affect future narrative reporting, not least the FRC consultation on its revisions to the UK Corporate Governance Code (although now severely curtailed) and also the revised QCA Code published in November 2023 and effective for financial years beginning on or after 1 April 2024.  In the table below, we note where in our AGC Updates more information can be found.

Appendix – Key publications

This table contains a non-exhaustive list of publications (with links), which may be useful during the 2024 AGM and reporting season and more generally.