Corporate Governance Statement Empresaria Recruitment

Corporate Governance Statement

Introduction to Corporate Governance

The primary responsibility of the Chair is to lead and guide the Board so that it can discharge its duties effectively. The Chair is responsible for promoting best practice in corporate governance and for overseeing the development, adoption, delivery and communication of an effective corporate governance model for the Company. The Board collectively develops and determines the Group’s purpose, strategy and overall commercial objectives. The Board ensures that the Group adopts policies and procedures that it considers appropriate having regard to its size and activities.

The Board is committed to ensuring that a strong governance framework operates throughout the Group, recognising that good corporate governance is a vital component to support management in their delivery of the Group’s strategic objectives and to operate a sustainable business for the benefit of all stakeholders. The process of identifying, developing and maintaining high standards of corporate governance is ongoing and dynamic, to reflect changes in the Group and its business, the composition of the Board and developments in corporate governance.

The QCA Code

The Board considers that the QCA corporate governance Code 2018 is most appropriate to the size of the Company, the regulatory framework that applies to AIM companies and is best aligned to the expectations of the Company’s stakeholders. The Board considers that the Company does not depart from any of the principles of the QCA Code and the relevant disclosures and explanations are set out in this corporate governance statement.

The QCA’s Ten Principles of Corporate Governance

QCA principles

Compliant

Further reading

Deliver growth

1. Establish a strategy and business model which promote long-term value for shareholders.

See pages 10 to 11 and 15 of our latest Annual Report

2. Seek to understand and meet shareholder needs and expectations.

See pages 32 and 39 of our latest Annual Report

3. Take into account wider stakeholder and social responsibilities and their implications for long‑term success.

See pages 32 and 33 of our latest Annual Report

4. Embed effective risk management, considering both opportunities and threats, throughout the organisation.

See pages 28 to 31 of our latest Annual Report

Maintain a dynamic management framework

5. Maintain the board as a well-functioning, balanced team led by the chair.

See pages 34 to 41 of our latest Annual Report

6. Ensure that between them the directors have the necessary up-to-date experience, skills and capabilities.

See pages 34 to 41 of our latest Annual Report

7. Evaluate board performance based on clear and relevant objectives, seeking continuous improvement.

See page 40 of our latest Annual Report

8. Promote a corporate culture that is based on ethical values and behaviours.

See pages 2, 10, 11, 32, 33 and 40 of our latest Annual Report

9. Maintain governance structures and processes that are fit for purpose and support good decision-making by the board.

See pages 28 to 31 and 33 of our latest Annual Report

Build trust

10. Communicate how the company is governed and is performing by maintaining a dialogue with shareholders and other relevant stakeholders.

See pages 32, 38 and 39 of our latest Annual Report


Corporate Governance Statement

The role and functioning of the Board

The Board is comprised of a Non-Executive Chair, two Executive Directors and three Non-Executive Directors. The Directors have a balance and depth of skills, experience, independence and knowledge of the Group and the staffing industry, which enables them to discharge their respective duties and responsibilities effectively.

The Board is collectively responsible for the long-term success of the Company. The Group’s strategy, business model and annual budget are developed by the Chief Executive Officer and the senior management team and approved by the Board. The management team, led by the Chief Executive Officer, is responsible for implementing the strategy and managing the business at an operational level. This strategy and business model, designed to promote long-term value for shareholders, is described in the strategic report on pages 2 to 33, Company's 2022 Annual Report, and in the Investor section of our website.

The Company is controlled through the Board, which has established Committees for Audit, Remuneration and Nominations, to which it delegates clearly defined powers. The terms of reference for the Committees are reviewed annually. During the year, the terms of reference for all the Committees were reviewed and the Board was satisfied they remain fit for purpose. Each Committee’s terms of reference can be found here.

There is a formal schedule of matters reserved for consideration by the Board, which includes responsibility for the following:

  • approval of overall strategy and objectives;

  • approval of the annual budget and monitoring progress towards its achievement;

  • changes to the Group's principal activities;

  • changes to the senior management structure;

  • changes to capital structure;

  • approval of annual and interim financial statements;

  • approval of related party transactions;

  • approval of financing arrangements and treasury policy;

  • approval of material investments and disposals;

  • approval of material unbudgeted expenditure; and

  • approval of significant Group policies.

These reserved matters are reviewed by the Board, at least annually, to ensure they remain appropriate and complete. In December 2022, the Board considered and made changes to the schedule of matters reserved for Board approval. In tandem, the Board also reviews an approved schedule of operational matters, which are delegated to management of the operating subsidiaries. During the year, the Board reviewed the delegated authority and determined that it remained fit for purpose.

Non-Executive Directors are required to devote such time as is necessary for the proper performance of the duties of their office. The Executive Directors are full-time employees.

During the year, there was 100% eligible attendance at all meetings of the Board and Committees. The following table shows the number of meetings held during the year, the attendance of each Director and their full years in office at the forthcoming 2023 AGM:

Board

Audit Committee

Remuneration Committee

Nomination Committee

Tenure

Tony Martin (Chair)

4/4

N/A

Penny Freer (Non-Executive Director / Chair)

9/9

5/5

4/4

1/1

17 years

Zach Miles (Non-Executive Director)

9/9

5/5

4/4

1/1

14 years

Rhona Driggs (Chief Executive Officer)

9/9

4 years

Tim Anderson (Chief Financial Officer)

9/9

5 years

​2 Interim Chair from 6 June 2022 and Chair from 27 March 2023

Prior to the beginning of each year, Board and Committee meetings are scheduled in line with the key financial reporting dates. A document pack, comprising a full agenda and documents to be tabled, is distributed to all relevant Directors a week prior to each meeting. Any specific actions arising during meetings are agreed by the Board or Committee (as applicable) and a follow-up procedure monitors their completion. Monthly financial and operational reviews are distributed to the Board, irrespective of whether a scheduled meeting is to take place. This assists the Board to keep informed of developments on a regular basis.

All Officers are invited to submit items for discussion for each meeting agenda and time is also allocated at each meeting to discuss any other business, which all Officers are invited by the Chair to raise.

All Non-Executive Directors participate in strategy development and decisions required to implement actions to progress towards meeting the Group’s objectives. During the year, the Group’s Leadership Team presented the Three Year Strategy to the Board.

The Chair is responsible for the effective running of the Board and for ensuring that all Directors play a full and constructive part in the development and determination of the Group’s strategy and overall commercial objectives. The Chief Executive Officer’s primary role is to deal with the running of the Group’s business and executive management of the Group. There is a clear division of responsibilities between the Chair and Chief Executive Officer, with no one individual having unfettered powers of decision. The Company Secretary, a solicitor since 2001, advises the Board and reports directly to the Chair on corporate governance matters, supports the Chair in the effective functioning of the Board and its Committees and facilitates the receipt by the Board of high quality information in a timely manner. He also heads up the Group’s in-house legal team and advises the Board on legal and governance matters, helping to make sure that Board procedures and applicable rules and regulations are observed.

The Directors are also able to take independent professional advice in the furtherance of their duties as necessary.

Engagement with shareholders

The Board seeks to engage with shareholders to maintain a mutual understanding of objectives between them and the Company and to manage their expectations. Relations with shareholders and potential investors are managed principally by the Executive Directors. We will again be holding a hybrid AGM, with shareholders able to attend and ask questions either in person or via an online platform. Shareholders and potential investors are invited to ask questions at any time by emailing companysec@empresaria.com or via the Company’s financial PR by emailing empresaria@almapr.co.uk. In line with our commitment to maintaining effective communication structures for all sections of our shareholder base, the Executive Directors delivered online presentations to investors (both existing and potential shareholders), via the Investor Meet Company platform to deliver our preliminary results presentation in March 2022 and our interim results presentation in August 2022. This platform allows for questions to be submitted both before and during the live presentation. The annual and interim presentations made to investors, interviews with the Executive Directors and a description of the Company’s investment case, strategic objectives and business model are all made available here. In October 2022, the Company hosted a Capital Markets Day at the London Stock Exchange, with the Executive Directors and the regional leadership setting out the Group’s roadmap to double adjusted operating profits in the medium term. In November 2022, the Company appointed Cenkos Securities plc as the Company’s joint broker to broaden investor interest in the Company. The Company also retains a financial PR adviser, a house broker and an equity research analyst, who each provide feedback from existing shareholders and potential investors.

Stakeholders and social responsibilities

The Group’s business model relies on developing and maintaining strong relationships with our employees, candidates/temporary workers, clients and regulatory authorities. The Board is conscious of its responsibility towards all stakeholders and believes this is an important consideration for the long-term growth of the business. Stakeholder engagement and feedback is taken seriously throughout the Group. Regular communication is made with all the Group companies and employees. The Group places considerable value on the involvement of our employees and keeps them informed on matters affecting them as employees and on the various factors affecting the performance of the Group. This is achieved through formal and informal meetings, information available on the Company’s website and Workplace from Meta. The Group uses social media to engage directly with stakeholders through various channels, including Facebook, Workplace, Twitter and LinkedIn. The Group also engages with regulators and government agencies, for example in response to consultations or proposals, both directly and through membership of worldwide trade associations

Risk management

Risk management remains the responsibility of the Board. The Audit Committee has delegated responsibility to keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company’s internal financial controls and the internal control and risk management system. Risk management is reviewed at Board meetings as part of the formal Board process. The Board has identified and evaluated the significant risks faced by the Group in delivering the Group’s strategy. The Board has agreed how each risk is to be addressed and the necessary actions to be taken. Details of the principal risks identified are set out on pages 28 to 31 of the Company's 2022 Annual Report. The Audit Committee meets specifically to review the effectiveness of the Group’s risk management and internal control systems and to review the risks identified and progress of actions taken to manage the risks. Following the review, progress and actions are reported to the Board.

Experience, skills and capabilities

Biographical details of each of the Company’s Officers, detailing relevant experience, skills and capabilities, can be found on pages 36 to 37 of the Company's Annual Report. The Nomination Committee meets at least once a year to monitor and review the structure, size and composition of the Board. It considers succession planning and makes recommendations to the Board for any appointments, to ensure that the right skills and expertise are maintained by the Company for effective management. All members of the Board participate in the recruitment of members to the Board. After a search led by the Nomination Committee, in January and February 2023 the Company announced the appointments of Steve Bellamy and Ranjit de Sousa as independent Non-Executive Directors. Steve is a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience as a Chair and Non-Executive Director with a wide range of both public and private companies across a range of industries. Ranjit has extensive experience in the staffing industry, with particular expertise in strategic and digital transformation. The Directors determine the training requirements appropriate to their role and the needs of the Group. Directors attend relevant industry conferences and workshops throughout the year. The members of the Committees refresh their skills and knowledge by attending briefings and seminars and reviewing publications provided by various professional services firms and by audit and other regulatory bodies.

Board performance

Formal Executive Director performance evaluations are conducted annually in preparation for the review and approval of annual remuneration packages. Each Non-Executive Director’s performance is evaluated as an outcome of the formal performance evaluations of the Committee(s) of which they are a member. Performance evaluations identify and record achievements, training requirements and areas for improvement in relation to annual objectives and performance of their respective roles, in order to consider effectiveness. Objectives for the forthcoming year are defined along with identification of how achievements will be met, target dates and details of resource constraints or issues to ensure that actions are planned and taken as a result of the evaluation process.

Following the recent changes to the membership of the Board, it is anticipated that a third-party Board effectiveness advisor, with no connection to the Company or individual Directors, will be appointed to carry out an externally facilitated evaluation of the Board.​

Promotion of corporate culture

The Company actively promotes integrity in its dealings with our employees, candidates/temporary workers, clients, suppliers and shareholders, and the authorities of the countries in which our brands operate. The Board recognises that the reputations of our brands are valuable assets gained over a long period and must be protected. The Group has a number of policies, including those for dealing with bribery, gifts, hospitality, corruption, fraud, tax evasion, modern slavery and inside information. The Board requires that all Group companies and employees adhere to the Empresaria Code of Conduct.

All employees must comply with the laws and regulations of the countries in which they operate and those responsible for the management of each operating subsidiary confirm to the Board annually their compliance with these and with the Group’s policies and Code of Conduct. The Group’s whistleblowing policy is publicised to all employees and an established anonymous whistleblowing system is in place. There are several methods by which employees may ask questions of and provide feedback directly to members of the Company’s senior management and the Board.

Our operating subsidiaries are required to ensure that advertising and public communications avoid untruths or overstatements. They are also expected to build relationships with suppliers based on mutual trust and endeavour to pay suppliers on time and in accordance with agreed terms of business. The work of our Group-wide DE&I committee helps us shape the Group’s approach to this critical area and we remain committed to ensure equal opportunities for all staff, at every level, throughout the Group.

Independence

The independence of all Non-Executive Directors is reviewed annually, with reference to their tenure, independence of character and judgement and whether any circumstances or relationships exist that could affect their judgement. The Board assesses what would be the most desirable number of Non-Executive Directors for the Board, having regard to the size of the Group, the scope of its operations and the efficient functioning of the Board and the executive management team. The Board looks at the manner in which the component parts of the Board function together, the skills and external experiences of the Non-Executive Directors, their involvement and insight in Board and Committee meetings and their ability to challenge management objectively. Having regard to all such considerations, the Board is of the view that Penny Freer and Zach Miles remain independent, notwithstanding their periods of tenure. The Company noted in its previous Annual Report that the Board believes the Company would benefit from the additional experience and capacity of a further Non-Executive Director. In June 2022 the Chair of the Board retired and the Board expanded the search to two further Non-Executive Directors. Following a search of suitable candidates, in early 2023 the Company announced the appointments of Steve Bellamy and Ranjit de Sousa as independent Non-Executive Directors. Steve and Ranjit serve on each of the Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees, and Steve will Chair the Audit Committee following the forthcoming AGM.

In accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and the Company’s Articles of Association, each of the Directors has a duty to avoid a situation where they have, or might have, a direct or indirect interest that conflicts, or potentially may conflict, with the Company’s interests. The Company has established procedures for the disclosure by Directors of any such conflicts for the Board to consider and, if appropriate, authorise. If such a conflict exists, the relevant Director is excused from consideration of the relevant matter. All additional external responsibilities taken on by Directors during the year were considered by the Board for any actual or potential conflicts that may arise. The Board is satisfied that the independence of the Directors who have additional external responsibilities is not compromised.

Further Information:

Annual reports, interim statements and investor presentations

Latest reports of the Audit, Nomination and Remuneration Committees

Details of annual general meetings

Investment case

Investor and Adviser Contacts

Approved on 27th of March 2023

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