Critically evaluate the extent to which the company demonstrates engagement with best practice of corporate governance in accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code

No# of Pages:
16 pages (4,000 words)

Language:
English (U.K)

Details:
Background:

You are an independent consultant who advises UK listed companies in respect of corporate governance and risk management issues.

You have been engaged by the Board of Dr. Martens plc to prepare a business report which:

A. critically evaluates their corporate governance practice and

B. advises on how the company should manage the risks associated with a potential expansion into India.

Section A – Corporate Governance

The Chair of the Board has asked you to prepare a report for the Board that reviews their current corporate governance practices. The Chair requires a report that will add value to the company.

Requirement:

They have asked you to write a 2,000 word business report to address the following:

Critically evaluate the extent to which the company demonstrates engagement with best practice of corporate governance in accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code and best practice demonstrated/recognised by other companies, regulators and other commentators.

Give recommendations that will add value, and which are supported by best practice (either real-world or theoretical). Analyse, with supporting evidence, the impact of implementation covering the potential benefits, any cost implications and identifying the ease of implementation.

Your analysis will focus on the disclosures contained in the 2021 Annual report of the company but should also consider any wider factors which you deem to be relevant for your report. Your client is aware that you will not be able to focus on all elements of corporate governance as part of your report so require you to identify and justify the area(s) that you feel are most relevant to your client.

Section B – Risk Management

You have been asked to prepare 2,000-word comprehensive risk report for the Board in relation to the strategy proposal described below. The Chair requires a report that will add value to the company.

Context – Strategy proposal

The Board of Directors are considering opening several new stores in India. You should assume that all financial and other metrics for the new stores will be equivalent to 20 % of the current UK operations of the company i.e. the expansion will have a material impact on the company.

Requirements

The Board have asked you to conduct and present a risk assessment of the proposed strategy utilising an appropriate risk assessment process.

The Board expect the report to initially consider the risk environment and to identify and assess several potential risks that the company could face because of this proposal.

The Board would like you to develop the initial analysis to focus on two of the most important risks. Your report should recommend and evaluate suitable responses that you would advise the company to put in place to manage and monitor the potential impact of the two key risks discussed.

Risk identification and assessment should be supported by evidence and proposed action plans (to manage the two risks) and should consider recognised corporate practices to manage risk exposures.

Appendices should be utilised to provide supporting information, evidence of risk identification and evidence of the risk assessment process.

Guidance Notes:

1) The requirement is for a BUSINESS REPORT, not exceeding 4,000 words.

The word count includes all in-text references and citations. Appendices, table of contents and your references list / bibliography section are excluded from the word count.

2) This assessment, although focusing on a real company, is based on fictional situations which do not necessarily represent actual current or future strategies.

3) You should be looking to utilise relevant literature, theory and real-life examples to strengthen your analysis, evaluation and recommendations.

4) As you are preparing a business report you are expected to use suitable business language and format. Recommended format is as follows :

• Executive Summary Contents

• Section A. Corporate Governance (2,000 word limit)

• Section B. Risk Management (2,000 word limit)

• References

• Appendices

ONLY items in RED are in the wordcount. The Executive Summary is NOT in the wordcount.

5) Mark Scheme

• Section A – 45%

• Section B – 45%

• Executive summary, References and Overall presentation – 10%

6) Referencing is to be done using the Harvard referencing system. Guidance notes can be found through the NTU library resources.

7) The use of tables and appendices is encouraged as this is consistent with a business report. However, students must ensure that the key discussion points are included within the main body of the report.