Good organisational governance is essential to ensure that business is conducted with due regard to the interests of all stakeholders. 

Explore our resources for insights into corporate governance, boards of directors and non-executive directors.

All topics A-Z

Factsheets

Regularly-updated factsheets provide overviews and information on a topic

Four Factsheets about Corporate governance
Factsheet
The non-executive director role
Learn how non-executive directors (NEDs) differ from executive directors and how they operate within an organisation
For Members
Factsheet
Corporate responsibility: An introduction
This factsheet explores corporate responsibility and putting it into action in the workplace
For Members
Factsheet
Modern slavery
Learn what modern slavery is, as well as HR's role in preventing and tackling it
For Members
Factsheet
Corporate governance: An introduction
Examines the origins, aims and framework of corporate governance as it exists in the UK
For Members

Guides

Designed for practitioners, our guides provide recommendations and advice on how to apply good practice in the workplace.

One Guide about Corporate governance
Guide
HRD to NED: How to advance your career
Advice on planning for and finding your first NED position, and delivering impact in your new role
For Members

Reports

Research and analysis by experts from CIPD and partner organisations

Nine Reports about Corporate governance
Report
Responsible business through crisis
Insight from senior leaders on how they led responsibly and maintained trust and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic
Report
How do companies report on their ‘most important asset’?
An analysis of workforce reporting in the FTSE 100 and how this can be improved to build more productive, responsible and sustainable businesses
Report
Role of the RemCo: How to achieve good governance of pay, people and culture
Roadmap for HR leaders seeking to broaden the remit of remuneration committees
Report
CEO pay and the workforce
This report examines the extent to which employee matters impact performance-related pay in the FTSE 100
Report
Investor perspectives: people data and reporting
Exploring the evidence for how different types of investors use people data when making investment decisionsExploring the evidence for how different types of investors use people data when making investment decisions
Report
Hidden figures: the missing data from corporate reports
A study of people risk and workforce reporting by UK FTSE 100 organisations
Report
A new framework for employers and workers
Explores whether our workforce policies and practices support or damage our social legitimacy
Report
Purposeful leadership
This report conceptualises a construct of purposeful leadership and investigates the impact it has on various employee and organisational outcomes
Report
The role of HR in corporate responsibility
A report examining the HR function's role in embedding corporate responsibility in all areas of the business

Case studies

Learn from real world examples of how other people professionals and organisations work with the CIPD to approach key challenges and objectives.

Seven Case studies about Corporate governance
Case study
Advancing your career from HRD to NED: Barry Hoffman
Case study advice on finding the right NED role and understanding your accountability as a board member
Case study
Advancing your career from HRD to NED: Valerie Gordon-Walker
Case study advice on gaining broad experiences to position yourself for a NED position
Case study
Advancing your career from HRD to NED: Simon Linares
Case study advice on deciding whether a NED role is for you and the difference between executive and non-executive roles
Case study
Advancing your career from HRD to NED: Jean Tomlin OBE
Case study advice on finding a NED role that shares your values and how to make an immediate impact
Case study
Advancing your career from HRD to NED: Louise Wilson
Case study advice on understanding the time commitment of a NED role and the skills you need to act as a ‘critical friend’
Case study
Advancing your career from HRD to NED: Lynne Weedall
Case study advice on thinking through your aspirations to become a NED, what you hope to achieve and what value you will bring
Case study
Advancing your career from HRD to NED
A case study series giving advice from senior HR leaders who have successfully moved to non-executive director roles

Thought leadership

Insight and foresight from our experts in people and the world of work

11 Thought leadership about Corporate governance
Thought leadership
Responsible business: Leading the way
A thought leadership and podcast series exploring how responsible business and leadership have changed since the pandemic
Thought leadership
Building responsible leadership for the future
We discuss how leading through crisis has shaped the way we address new challenges
Thought leadership
The role of responsible business in tackling the climate crisis
Lessons on integrating sustainability into your organisation’s purpose
Thought leadership
Leadership through crisis: Can one person do it all?
We discuss how collaboration and authenticity are key for responsible leaders of the future
Thought leadership
What leading through the pandemic has taught us about trust
We discuss what it takes to create high-trust environments
Thought leadership
What does it mean to be a responsible business in a post-pandemic world?
What has changed in the way we work and lead since COVID-19?
Thought leadership
The new rules of work: How the psychological contract is evolving
We discuss the role leaders play in creating a workplace community
Thought leadership
What monitoring is acceptable regarding remote workers?
This first article from our Technology, the workplace and people management series examines employers’ perspectives on monitoring remote workers
Thought leadership
Once-in-a-generation opportunity to build better work
How can the people profession use its position to shape a fairer, more human-centric, post-COVID working world?
Thought leadership
Executive pay in the FTSE 100: 2020 review
Our latest CEO pay report highlights the growing need for remuneration reform at the top
Thought leadership
Executive pay in the FTSE 100 – 2019 review
Annual reports reveal what the UK’s top executives earn, but present little evidence to justify their share in success

Podcasts

Listen to episodes from our podcast series on a range of topical workplace, HR and L&D issues.

One Podcast about Corporate governance
Podcast
Does corporate governance need fresh thinking?
Episode 134: In this episode we discuss the current state of corporate governance in the UK and what we as HR and business professionals can do to create a better system for the future

Bitesize research

Your regular overview of current research, inspiring insights and cutting-edge ideas in bitesize

Eight Bitesize research about Corporate governance
Bitesize research
When boards matter: the case of corporate social irresponsibility
Exploring the issue of corporate social irresponsibility within organisations
For Members
Bitesize research
Blowing the whistle
Using the case-study of an Italian whistleblower, these authors aim to build on current insights into the topic as well as stimulate further research.
For Members
Bitesize research
A cultural awakening?
Will assessing culture result in better corporate governance?
For Members
Bitesize research
Do standards matter?
Explore the world of quality standards
For Members
Bitesize research
Reforming RemCos to solve poor company cultures
Find out the role of HR here
For Members
Bitesize research
Removing the glass-cliff: Creating gender-inclusive boardrooms
Case study reveals some of the factors that influence the success of female CEOs
For Members
Bitesize research
Unethical behaviour – restoring investors’ trust
Read this analysis of corporate misconduct
For Members
Bitesize research
Scandal – paying the price in the jobs market
Research finds that corporate scandals can hurt careers
For Members

CIPD Viewpoints

Our collected point of view on the key issues impacting work, from the perspective of employers and policy makers.

Two CIPD Viewpoints about Corporate governance
CIPD Viewpoint
Responsible business
Explore the CIPD’s point of view on responsible business, including recommendations for employers
CIPD Viewpoint
Executive pay
Explore the CIPD’s point of view on executive pay packages, including actions for regulators and recommendations for employers

Policy engagements

Our calls for action.

Three Policy engagements about Corporate governance
Policy engagement
The people profession has a key role to play in helping investors to assess companies’ social impact
Read our response to the UK’s Taskforce on Social Factors
Policy engagement
The UK Corporate Governance Code needs greater emphasis on people
In our response to the UK Financial Reporting Council consultation, we highlight the importance of HR and people expertise on boards
Policy engagement
Non-financial reporting should look at social factors beyond ethics and diversity
We’ve teamed up with ACAS to call on the UK government to support a broader, more strategic approach to company reporting

Learning

We offer a range of evidence-based courses tauilored to suit you and your needs.
Our Essential Insights courses are free as part of the CIPD membership.

Business Acumen Introductory Programme

Gain the confidence and skills to develop business acumen and think from a commercial perspective to support your organisation’s outcomes.

All CIPD Learning courses

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Learning shop

Choose from our extensive range of topics and learning options 

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