The FCA recently published a consultation paper (CP21/24: Diversity and inclusion on company boards) setting out a number of proposals to enhance diversity-related reporting by certain listed companies. Proposals include creating new requirements in the Listing Rules for certain premium and standard listed companies to publish (in their annual report and accounts) a “comply or explain” statement on whether they have achieved proposed targets for gender and ethnic minority representation on their board, as well as preparing further numerical data on the gender and ethnic diversity composition of the company’s board, key board positions, and executive management team. The consultation will close on 20 October 2021, with the proposed rule changes expected to come into force for financial years starting on or after 1 January 2022.

Listed PLCs’ preparations are well underway for compliance with the 2018 Corporate Governance Code (Code). Preparation for compliance with The Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018 (2018 Regs)[1] is much less advanced, largely due to continued uncertainty as to their scope and, in particular, whether they apply to listed PLCs and their groups at…