KPMG Podcast Series: Building Confidence

Ukraine crisis: what global geopolitical volatility means for business

As the Russian-Ukraine war unfolds, companies have had to move quickly to ensure the safety of their workers while girding themselves for the economic impacts and operational disruption to come. In this episode we are joined by Derek Leatherdale, Managing Director at GRI Strategies Ltd, to help explore the key areas boards need to consider whether that be re-evaluating their businesses in the region or managing the new risks faced by a global economy already struggling with inflation and supply chain disruption.

Future of Audit Global podcast - Innovation in audit

This episode discusses innovation in audit and how technology, including AI and new ways of working, are shaping the future of the profession.

Hosted by Larry Bradley, we hear from Eli Fathi, Chair and former CEO at MindBridge, Sebastian Stöckle, Global Head of Audit Innovation at KPMG International and Kristy Carscallen, Head of Audit for KPMG in Canada.

How can corporates address climate risks and exposures? - Part 2

In part 2 of our episode on how corporates can address climate risks and exposures, we continue our discussion from part 1 with Simon Henry, a Non-Executive Director, and Simon Virley, our Vice Chair and Head of Energy and Natural Resources at KPMG in the UK. Our guests provide details on the climate reporting landscape and what good practice looks like in terms of reporting requirements. We also discuss the role investors can play to engage on this important topic and what questions Board members should be asking of management to address the climate risk agenda.

How can corporates address climate risks and exposures? - Part 1

In part 1 of our podcast episode on how corporates can address climate risks and exposures, we are joined by Simon Henry, a Non-Executive Director, and Simon Virley, our Vice Chair and Head of Energy and Natural Resources at KPMG in the UK. In this episode, our guests examine the progress made during COP26 and provide insight on some of the notable successes and setbacks. With 90% of the world now signed up to net zero, we discuss the challenges facing all organisations and what key actions business leaders should be taking to address this. In part 2, we delve into a deeper discussion around the reporting landscape, industry examples of what good practice looks like, the role investors can play to engage on this important topic and what questions Board members should be asking of management .

Corporate governance: Are UK practices as tight and transparent as they should be?

Our KPMG host Michelle Hinchliffe is joined by David Styles, Director of Corporate Governance and Stewardship at the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) and Peter Swabey, Policy and Research Director at the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (CGIUKI). David and Peter share their insights into the latest updates on corporate governance reporting, best practices, and share helpful tips and advice on areas where improvement is needed.

We also cover the introduction of ARGA, the next corporate governance challenges coming over the horizon and the questions Board members should be asking of management.

Geraldine Lawlor and Jonathan Evans, KPMG - What should a Director be doing to reduce fraud risks?

On our most recent episode, we were joined by Geraldine Lawlor, Global Head of Financial Crime and Jonathan Evans, the Chair of our Public Interest Committee and former Director General of MI5 to talk about financial crime and cyber risk. With developments in technology, preventing and detecting financial crime is rapidly evolving to be one of the biggest challenges facing organisations. In the episode, we explore lessons learnt, best practices and what questions Non-Executive Directors should be asking of management.

Dylan Whitfield, HSBC – A forensic analyst’s view on audit and corporate governance reform

In this episode, KPMG host Michelle Hinchliffe is joined by Dylan Whitfield, Head of Forensic Accounting within Global Research at HSBC. Dylan shares his insights about what analysts and investors think of the BEIS consultation on Restoring trust in audit and corporate governance, ahead of the consultation response deadline of 8^th July 2021.

Listen as Dylan covers many of the recommendations set out in the BEIS consultation, including strengthening internal controls, introducing an Audit and Assurance Policy and also the role of the regulator, and how the package of reforms can help build confidence in the UK market. Dylan’s overriding view is that the proposals will represent a significant change for the better for the UK’s auditing, reporting and governance regime, and highlights that the relationship between the auditor and the shareholder will be one of the keys to success in the future.

Clare Payn, Senior Global ESG and Diversity Manager at LGIM – Investor priorities

In this episode we welcome Clare Payn, Senior Global ESG and Diversity Manager at LGIM, to discuss investor priorities and the role that institutional investors play in driving enhancements in corporate reporting more broadly.

Clare provides her insights into the key ESG themes that investors have been focusing on in the current AGM season including climate risk, TCFD reporting and Paris-aligned targets. Clare also discusses strengthened investor policies on gender inclusion and ethnic diversity, the board-level inclusion and diversity targets set by the Hampton-Alexander and Parker Reviews, and the voting policies that LGIM – one of the largest UK institutional investors – has introduced in response. Listen to this episode to gain clarity on what investors are requesting from companies, as well as the role of the auditor.

Alun Bowen, Severstal - Audit and Assurance Policy

In this episode, KPMG host Michelle Hinchliffe is joined by Alun Bowen, Chair of the Audit Committee Chair at Severstal, Russia’s largest fully integrated steel company, to discuss the Audit and Assurance Policy which was initially recommended by Sir Donald Brydon and also features in the BEIS consultation on Restoring trust in audit and corporate governance.

Alun shares the process that he took Severstal through to become a leader in this area and as far as we are aware, is one of the first companies to have published an Audit and Assurance Policy. You can read the policy they published in October 2020 here . He discusses the value of the policy both for the company and for shareholders. Listen to the episode today to find about his views of the benefits and challenges of developing an Audit and Assurance Policy and how it can enhance engagement with shareholders.

Charles Tilley, IIRC - Business Resilience

In this episode we talk to Charles Tilley, CEO of the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), about the introduction of the new Resilience Statement – one of the proposals in the recent BEIS consultation on Restoring trust in audit and corporate governance.

Charles shares an overview of the proposals for the new Resilience Statement and how this will lead to more meaningful reporting, touching on some of the key challenges organisations will face. Charles also discusses the inclusion of TCFD reporting, reverse stress testing and concerns from preparers that commercially sensitive information will need to be shared. Listen to this episode to find out more about this important proposal and what companies should do today using existing requirements.