The Walker Report

Information about the review can be found on the independent review page for the Walker Review of Corporate Governance of UK Banking Industry

The consultation document A review of corporate governance in UK banks and other financial industry entities was published on 16 July 2009.

The final report A review of corporate governance in UK banks and other financial industry entities: Final recommendations was published on 26 November 2009.

The sections of the report cover:

• Chapter 1: Introduction, context and scope
• Chapter 2: The role and constitution of the board
• Chapter 3: Board size, composition and qualification
• Chapter 4: Functioning of the board and evaluation of performance
• Chapter 5: The role of institutional shareholders: communication and engagement
• Chapter 6: Governance of risk
• Chapter 7: Remuneration

Final recommendations of Walker review published
Briefing published by Slaughter and May in December 2009. The briefing looks at various aspects of the report, including how the recommendations can be implemented.

ICAEW

ICAEW concluded that the Walker Review was of such significance that a separate advisory group was formed to formulate a response. The ICAEW response to the Walker review of corporate Governance in the UK banking industry (ICAEW REP 64/09) was submitted on 29 May 2009. ICAEW issued a press release following the release of the final report, Robert Hodgkinson (Executive Director Technical at the ICAEW) said:

"The work that Sir David has undertaken has led to a very comprehensive review of corporate governance within the financial services industry. His recommendations are appropriate and well thought through. The task now is to determine how they should best be implemented.
"I particularly welcome the emphasis he has placed on the training, development and induction for both executive and non-executive directors. This applies to listed companies across all sectors of the economy. Without this, we will not be able to address one of the key issues Sir David and our own research has identified - that whilst corporate governance structures and the combined code are generally fit for purpose, companies could improve the way the principles are applied."

Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA)

he Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) prepared a report for Sir David Walker as a contribution to the Walker Review. The report was published in June 2009 with the title Boardroom behaviours. The publication of the report was announced in the press release ‘More robust guidance on boardroom behaviours needed’ says ICSA study on 8th June 2009. Following the publication of the final report ICSA issued the press release Walker report takes on board ICSA recommendations

Selected book

Corporate governance handbook
Chambers, A. (Bloomsbury Professional, 2014, 1099 pages)
This book advises on functioning within the legal, ethical and practical parameters of corporate governance. Part D, corporate governance in practice, has a chapter on the Walker Review of corporate governance in UK banks and other financial industry entities.

Selected articles

All for one? 
Chartered Secretary, September 2010, pages 31-33
Considers the difficulties of corporate governance for an international group including 25 locally incorporated subsidiaries post-Walker review. Looks at the experience of Standard Chartered Bank.

Board games
Internal Auditing, February 2010, pp.18-23
Companies will have to implement some important changes to their corporate governance practices in 2010, writes the author. Internal auditors should be at the forefront of developments, but will need to seize the opportunities. Includes discussion of the Walker Review and the proposed new Combined Code: two responses to the credit crunch and financial crisis.

Sharing the burden : a fresh look at corporate governance
FS Focus, April 2010, pp.14-17
Author explains what the Walker report means for institutional shareholders. He looks at the current framework for institutional shareholders (shown in a table) which has been found to be deficient in the financial crisis. He then looks at the detail of the recommendations in the Walker report (shown in a table) and considers what motivates institutional investors; engagement with the company; the role of the chairman and the SID (senior independent director); collaboration; and stewardship.

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