ESG

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A recent report concluded that modern slavery considerations are still not a mainstream concern for many companies.

By Clare Nida

In April 2022, the Financial Reporting Council, the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, and Lancaster University published a report on Modern Slavery Reporting Practices in the UK (FRC Report), which concluded that reporting on modern slavery in both modern slavery statements and annual reports lacks the information needed for shareholders and wider stakeholders to make informed decisions as to the adequacy of companies’ anti-modern slavery practices.

The new rules provide issuers with flexibility to report on representation of women by reference to either gender identity or sex.

By Chris Horton, James Inness, Anna Ngo, Nicola Higgs, David Berman, Rob Moulton, and Johannes Poon

On 20 April 2022, the FCA published its final policy decision on the proposals set out in CP 21/24 “Diversity and inclusion on company boards and executive committees”.

New diversity reporting requirements

The updated Listing Rules require in-scope issuers (broadly, premium or standard listed companies, excluding OEICs and “shell companies”) to incorporate into their annual reports certain disclosures on the diversity of their boards and executive management, including:

  • A “comply or explain” statement setting out whether they have met the following diversity targets:
    • At least 40% of the board are women
    • At least one of the senior board positions is held by a woman (Chair, CEO, Senior Independent Director, or CFO)
    • At least one member of the board is from a minority ethnic background (defined by reference to categories recommended by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), excluding those the ONS lists as coming from a White ethnic background)
  • Numerical data on the sex or gender identity and ethnic diversity of their board, senior board positions, and executive management in a standardised table (with issuers able to add to the fields “men” and “women” to include “non-binary” or other gender identities)

Dealmakers should continue to weigh the impact of ESG issues on M&A deals as ESG standards evolve.

By Richard Butterwick, Pierre-Louis Cléro, Paul A. Davies, Tobias Larisch, Michael D. Green, James Bee, and Catherine Campbell

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues have become increasingly important for corporates in recent years, driven initially by investor and consumer demand, and now by legislative developments across multiple jurisdictions.

As ESG becomes a growing part of the dealmaking conversation and acquirers seek to improve ESG credentials through individual acquisitions, the M&A market is showing a greater demand for enhanced ESG due diligence, particularly in relation to value chains. A wider range of deal provisions are being considered in light of their potential to enhance the ESG outlook of acquisitions. Further, regulatory developments and forthcoming changes mean that reporting obligations, both voluntary and mandatory, should remain front of mind. In this M&A Views article, we consider how corporates and M&A dealmakers are responding to the growing importance of ESG.