SOE Reform and Corporate Governance

Justin Bancroft 14 February 2013

What is CG
Corporate governance includes all types of firms whether or not they are formed under civil or common law, owned by the government, institutions or individuals, privately or publicly traded. Turnbull The Board of Directors is the epicenter of corporate governance, the arena in which all of the mechanisms of governance are required to respond to market signals and institutional pressures in order to secure the commercial viability and accountability of the business. Clarke

Who we are
BICG represents Baltic board professionals and their companies by: MISSION BICG delivers value to its stakeholders by promoting global competitiveness of Baltic companies through adoption of leading corporate governance practices VISION BICG is an internationally recognized driver of best practise corporate governance in the Baltic region. Values Trust, Integrity & Excellence

To avoid confusion in terminology

Board Board of Directors or Supervisory Board or Supervisory Council, i.e. a collective body elected by the shareholders to oversee the management of the company on their behalf Director a member of the Board of Directors or Supervisory Board or Supervisory Council - executive director a director who also has employment relationship with the company non-executive director a director who has no employment relationship but may have other material (commercial, family, etc.) relationship with the company independent director a director who has no other relationship with the company but serving on its Board

Executive team Management Board or Executive Board, i.e. managers employed by the company and responsible for running its day-to-day business; reporting to the Board or directly to the shareholders

Nordic Governance Model

Baltics

Norway

Finland

OECD

OECD
Setting objectives Reviewing performance Auditing performance Reporting on Performance Ensuring full disclosure and transparency at the company level

Alternative

Alternative?

BICG members

Guidance

Some Basics

14 February 2013

What is CG
The Board is one part of the Management The most important task is to stimulate the CEO/Managing Director to do the Right things

Without Supervisory Councils- an important part of management is MISSING!

The Board should work with the following questions:

Where are we? Where should we go? How should we get there? A Business Plan with these questions should be produced and followed up

A Board with such a task and role must be an active Board

A competent Board
Takes active responsibility besides what is expected by a pro-forma-board

Why a Board
The broad judgment, experience and network in a well composed competitive Board has a great value This could be one of the most valuable assets in a company as advisor and speaking partner

A Board functions if it is
well informed works well has right composition has good coordination

Works well
Every month the Board should have the following reports P&L statement Balance sheet (liquidity) Management accounts/Dashboard In a letter from the CEO covering reports, changes, important issues and other news

Works well
Every year the Board should make a working plan

Works well
4-5 meetings planned One important theme per meeting Documents in due time Decisions summarized to avoid misunderstandings Minutes approved and distributed a.s.a.p.

Signals regarding poor work

Meetings rare and irregular Meetings postponed No contacts between meetings Only pro forma matters No plans for the future No documentation in advance Poor minutes Only the chairman and the CEO are acting

Has right composition

Question makers Vision makers Consensus makers Politicians Changers Proposal makers Pushers

Has good coordination

The chairman is responsible for The Meeting The Annual program Taking initiatives Follow up decisions

Has good coordination

The ideal chairman Knowledgeable about the business Stimulating the CEO Strong position Support from owners Time to assist the CEO Good listener Demanding Fast decision but mature

Has good coordination

Can you contribute Do you have time Keep informed Take full responsibility Respect confidential matters Be aware of laws and regulations Put the companys interest first Extra work approved by the Board Leave in due time and of the right reason