UK: The Companies (Address of Registered Office) Regulations 2016

The Companies (Address of Registered Office) Regulations 2016 were made on 23 March and come into force on 6 April: see here or here (pdf). The purpose of the Regulations is to introduce a new administrative procedure to allow the registrar of companies to change the registered office address of a company, or limited liability partnership, where (upon application) the registrar considers that the entity is not authorised to use that address. Further information is available in the accompanying explanatory memorandum: see here (pdf).

UK: ECHR inquiry - the fairness, transparency and diversity of FTSE350 board appointments

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published the results of its inquiry into the fairness, transparency and diversity of FTSE350 board appointments: see here (pdf). A summary of the report is available here. Whilst welcoming the increase in women on company boards, including the fact that women now occupy over 25% of FTSE100 board positions, the report reveals wide differences at individual company level across the FTSE100 and FTSE350. For example, 45 individual FTSE100 companies failed to reach the 25% target set by Lord Davies. Other findings are reported in respect of the recruitment process and recommendations are also made for improving board diversity.

UK: introducing a regime for private fund limited partnerships

Following a consultation last year, the Government has provided further information about the changes it will make to the Limited Partnerships Act 1907, by way of a legislative reform order, in order to introduce a regime for private fund limited partnerships: see here (pdf). The changes will be introduced later this year.

UK: Financial Reporting Council consults on audit enforcement procedure

The Financial Reporting Council, which will become the UK's designated competent authority under the new EU statutory audit framework with responsibility for audit enforcement, has published a consultation paper setting out its proposed audit enforcement procedure: see here (pdf).

UK: Register of People with Significant Control - guidance published

New guidance on the Register of People with Significant Control has been published on the Companies House website: see here. Included is a document with guidance for companies, LLPs and SEs (here, pdf) and another document with guidance for those with significant control (here, pdf).