Workers on boards round-up

Just a quick round-up of some news that relates to the issue of worker representation on boards. I think the fact that there is quite a bit is indicative of the shift in thinking that is going on.

1. This is old, but I had totally missed it. Mears Group has appointed an employee director, having been elected at the AGM earlier in June with almost zero opposition. It looks like the director was chosen by management, rather than elected by the workforce. Nonetheless we now have at least two UK  companies with employee directors on the board (FirstGroup being the other).

I'll have a dig into the voting on these directors when I have time. However having a quick look at the AGM results it must be the case that some investors that have been lukewarm at best on the issue of employee representation on board in their public policy positions have voted for the election of employee directors in practice.

I can see some interesting voting issues ahead in the next AGM season, but that's for another day.

2. The ICSA has published a poll showing that the large majority of companies are opposed to the idea of worker directors (though 19% are in favour). I assume, given the ICSA's orientation, that respondents are likely to be company secretaries. There is some useful info on how companies are thinking (or not) about the revised UK Corporate Governance Code:

When questioned as to whether or not they had deliberated the UK Corporate Governance Code’s proposals for getting the workforce voice into the boardroom, 29% of companies have not yet considered them and 15% have, but taken no action. Of those companies that have considered the Codes’ proposals, 25% favour the designated non-executive director option, 14% are inclined to combine one or more of the options, 7% are in favour of a works council or similar, 5% have other ideas, 2% would prefer to have an employee on the board and 1% are unsure.

3.  The ICAEW has published a report encouraging companies to consider the benefits of employee directors on boards. This is very welcome, though it's a shame that unions do not get a mention in there. Still, interesting that one group of professional advisers is taking a more positive line on this.

4. Jim Moore on The Independent has published a comment piece criticising Legal & General for going down the nominated NED route.

5. The Evening Standard has published a letter from Luke Hildyard of the High Pay Centre responding to a previous comment piece (which praised L&G) and arguing that employee directors are indeed a good thing.

6. The Bank of England's Andy Haldane has voiced his support for employee representation on boards.

7. The ETUC held a rally outside the European Parliament calling for greater worker participation within companies, including representation on boards.