Policy Associate in Birmingham

The FRC published a new UK Corporate Governance Code in 2024 and listed companies will produce the first annual reports following the new Code in 2026. In 2025 the FRC published a new Stewardship Code, with Stewardship Code signatories reporting against this Code from 2026 onwards.

This role is part of a dynamic team developing the FRC’s approach to corporate governance and stewardship, through monitoring, assessment and obtaining evidence to support policy development. The postholder will be expected to work flexibly on both corporate governance and stewardship matters.

The Role:

• Detailed and comprehensive critical analysis of the quality of corporate governance reporting by UK listed companies, researching evidence and examples for the annual review of corporate governance reporting.
• Drafting the annual UK corporate governance reporting review and producing high quality content on areas of expertise.
• Promoting and supporting the Wates Governance Principles for Large Private Companies, providing analysis and developing policy.
• Accurate and comprehensive analysis of the quality of reporting from asset managers, asset owners and service providers applying to become the signatories to the UK Stewardship Code.
• Supporting the end-to-end assessment process for UK Stewardship Code applications.
• Collecting evidence and examples; and identifying trends to contribute to the annual review of stewardship reporting and to develop future policy proposals.
• Analysing and summarising relevant research, policy papers and consultations, and preparing briefings for senior colleagues.
• Accompanying senior colleagues to external meetings, providing high quality briefing and records.
• Working on cross-organisational initiatives that promote good governance and stewardship or support organisational transformation.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• A degree level qualification, relevant qualification, and/or have gained relevant experience in business, governance or stewardship.
• An understanding of the UK corporate governance and stewardship frameworks, and the interaction between government, regulators and stakeholders.
• Understanding the requirements of company annual reports, in particular narrative reporting, and stewardship reports.
• Knowledge of policy making including how different policy options can be used to achieve objectives.
• Ability to manage priorities, own workload and meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to draft clearly for a professional and public audience.
• Understanding the work of the regulator and government departments.
• Good proficiency using Microsoft applications.
• Drafting informative reports and guidance to influence future behaviours.
• Working closely and effectively with other organisations who have interests in these areas.
• Maintaining effective internal FRC relationships and cross-working.
• Good standard of written and verbal communication.
• Be comfortable working in a changing business and policy environment.
• Ability to analyse corporate governance and stewardship reporting in-depth.
• Ability to communicate findings of analysis accurately and succinctly both in writing and orally.
• Understand how findings of analysis can support future policy making.
• Identification of trends and key issues and resulting in convincing recommendations.
• Communicate existing and new ideas confidently and recommend policy proposals.
• Be a collaborative team player.
• Work flexibility across projects and teams.
• Manage time and priorities effectively.
• Work effectively with third parties on external projects.