This edition covers the FCA’s priorities for the next 12 months, the ICGN statement on post-pandemic AGM practices, Takeover Code changes affecting competitive bids, and a proposed new corporate “failure to prevent fraud”...more
5/2/2023
/ Corporate Governance ,
Corporate Transparency Act ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
Fraud ,
Internal Controls ,
Market Abuse ,
Regulatory Standards ,
Takeover Code ,
Takeovers ,
UK
This edition covers upcoming reforms to the UK listing regime, the FCA’s Primary Market Bulletin 44, the launch of a review into the UK investment research landscape, the PLSA’s 2023 Stewardship and Voting Guidelines, and...more
4/3/2023
/ Corporate Governance ,
Diversity ,
Diversity and Inclusion Standards (D&I) ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
Executive Compensation ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
FTSE ,
HM Treasury ,
Listing Standards ,
MiFID ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Research Reports ,
Shareholders ,
UK
FCA chief executive’s speech indicates an exciting transition to a lighter regime and a true single listing segment. By James Inness, Anna Ngo, and Johannes Poon On 29 March 2023, FCA Chief Executive Nikhil Rathi delivered a...more
This edition covers the new Investment Association Share Capital Management Guidelines and Shareholder Priorities for 2023, FRC publications on ESG and corporate governance, and the FCA’s Primary Market Bulletin 43....more
This first edition of 2023 covers recent guidance from the FCA’s Primary Market Bulletin 42 and Market Watch 71, major changes to the Takeover Code’s “acting in concert” presumptions, an FCA penalty for publishing misleading...more
UK listed companies face regulatory changes and developing market practices in the areas of ESG reporting, executive remuneration, share issuance authorities, meeting formats, and structured digital reporting.
Key Points:...more
1/10/2023
/ Annual Meeting ,
Climate Change ,
Corporate Governance ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Diversity ,
Diversity and Inclusion Standards (D&I) ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
Executive Compensation ,
Publicly-Traded Companies ,
Shareholder Meetings ,
Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) ,
UK
The updated Statement of Principles will have an immediate impact on UK listed companies, providing increased flexibility to undertake larger non-pre-emptive capital raisings.
On 4 November 2022, the Pre-Emption Group...more
A reminder of the ongoing reforms to implement recommendations from the Lord Hill and Kalifa Reviews.
The outcome of the UK Secondary Capital Raising Review, launched on 12 October 2021 to improve further capital raising...more
The landmark UK Secondary Capital Raising Review Report takes a holistic approach in making bold and comprehensive recommendations to improve the UK secondary capital raising processes and ecosystem.
On 19 July 2022, HM...more
8/1/2022
/ Capital Markets ,
Capital Raising ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
HM Treasury ,
Information Reports ,
Initial Public Offering (IPO) ,
Prospectus ,
Publicly-Traded Companies ,
Secondary Markets ,
UK ,
UK Regulatory Reforms
The regulator continues its Primary Markets Effectiveness Review to promote the competitiveness of a UK listing.
On 26 May 2022, the FCA published a discussion paper (DP22/2) to seek further views on how to make the UK...more
The new rules provide issuers with flexibility to report on representation of women by reference to either gender identity or sex.
On 20 April 2022, the FCA published its final policy decision on the proposals set out in...more
The changes indicate a more dynamic and flexible UK prospectus regime with the FCA to play a central role through enhanced rule-making powers.
On 1 March 2022, the UK government (through HM Treasury (HMT)) announced the...more
Broad reform to listing regimes, growing ESG scrutiny, and increasing retail participation in fundraisings are among the areas to watch.
Last year was memorable for UK equity capital markets (ECM). The IPO market was at...more
1/21/2022
/ Annual Meeting ,
Capital Markets ,
Corporate Governance ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
Foreign Direct Investment ,
Initial Public Offering (IPO) ,
Listing Rules ,
Listing Standards ,
Private Equity ,
Retail Investors ,
Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) ,
UK
The expansion would include Shenzhen Stock Exchange and potentially European stock exchanges, and would permit overseas issuers to raise capital in China through CDR listings.
On 17 December 2021, the China Securities...more
1/18/2022
/ Capital Markets ,
China ,
China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) ,
Corporate Issuers ,
EU ,
Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) ,
Listing Rules ,
London Stock Exchange ,
Popular ,
Proposed Regulation ,
Shanghai Stock Exchange ,
UK
A relic of the dot-com era may prove useful in attracting investors seeking specific exposures that are ESG-aligned. Shareholders, regulators, and other stakeholders continue to drive the integration of environmental, social,...more
The new rules aim to make London a more attractive listing venue for founder-led and other innovative IPO candidates.
On 2 December 2021, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a Policy Statement (PS21/22)...more
Proposals reflect growing investor focus on the ESG performance of listed companies.
The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched a consultation setting out proposed changes to its Listing Rules (LRs) and...more
The revised criteria allow UK-listed SPACs to avoid a suspension of their shares when announcing a de-SPAC deal.
The UK, acting through the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), will implement a new SPAC listing regime from...more
The FCA is consulting on extending its rules to standard listed issuers.
On 22 June 2021, the FCA published a Consultation Paper (CP21/18) on extending the application of the existing climate-related disclosure...more
6/28/2021
/ Asset Management ,
Capital Markets ,
Climate Change ,
Consultation ,
Corporate Governance ,
Corporate Issuers ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
Financial Reporting ,
G7 ,
IFRS ,
Listing Rules ,
Publicly-Traded Companies ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) ,
UK
Proposed changes to the UK Listing Rules would allow certain SPACs to avoid a listing suspension.
Key Points:
..The FCA is proposing to amend its rules so that SPACs meeting certain conditions and disclosure...more
Creative Uses of Collateral Present New Financing Opportunities for PE -
Raising fresh capital for portfolio companies in times of financial stress is always a delicate balancing act between attracting new lenders and...more
3/18/2021
/ Balance Sheets ,
Capital Raising ,
Collateral ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Financing ,
Gaming ,
Initial Public Offering (IPO) ,
Investors ,
Private Equity ,
Private Equity Firms ,
Share Classes ,
Target Company ,
Venture Capital ,
Video Games ,
Whistleblowers
Dual class share structures could help lure Europe’s best founder-driven businesses to the London market, but challenges remain. Listing of dual class share structures, which give certain owners (usually founders, employees,...more
The recommended reforms aim to make the UK’s listing regime more competitive while maintaining high standards of corporate governance, shareholder rights, and transparency. A new independent review (the Review), led by Lord...more
European PIPEs — which have experienced an uptick due to COVID-19-related market volatility — present unique structural, informational, and governance considerations for private equity investors.
European private...more
Buyout firms planning an acquisition or preparing a portfolio company for exit must consider the impact of poor corporate culture, particularly on a potential IPO.
No institution, whatever its geography, industry, sector,...more