Overview
Governance tends to evolve informally as a business grows. Decisions that were once made around a kitchen table are now made by a board with investors, non-executives and a senior team, but the structures, policies and paperwork have not always kept pace. Gaps may only become visible when an investor asks difficult questions in due diligence, a regulator makes enquiries or something goes wrong.
Our Governance Advisory & Compliance Review gives you an independent, practical assessment of your governance arrangements before those moments arrive. We look at how your board is structured, how decisions are made and recorded, how risk is overseen and how well your business meets its core legal and regulatory obligations. You receive a clear, prioritised plan, proportionate to your size and stage, not a generic checklist.
Who it’s for
- SMEs and scale-ups whose governance has not kept pace with growth.
- Businesses preparing for fundraising, sale or significant borrowing.
- Investor-backed boards wanting an independent view of governance quality.
- New chairs or CEOs who want a baseline assessment early in their tenure.
- Family businesses formalising their governance as ownership or leadership changes.
- Larger private companies considering how principles such as the Wates Principles, or relevant parts of the UK Corporate Governance Code, apply to them.
What’s included
- Review of constitutional documents, including articles of association and shareholder agreements.
- Assessment of board composition, skills, independence and committee structure.
- Review of matters reserved for the board, delegated authorities and terms of reference.
- A check of how the board evidences its duties under the Companies Act 2006, including section 172.
- Review of statutory registers, filings and Companies House obligations, including changes introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
- Assessment of key policies such as conflicts of interest, data protection, anti-bribery, whistleblowing and health and safety.
- Review of risk management arrangements and the risk register.
- Review of board packs, minutes and management information.
- Interviews with directors and, where appropriate, senior managers.
Not sure where to start? Try our free governance scorecard to get an initial view of your board’s strengths and gaps.
How it works
- Discovery call: we discuss your business, your board and what has prompted the review.
- Scoping: we agree the scope, timetable and documents needed, and sign an NDA if required.
- Document review: we review your governance documents, registers, policies and recent board papers.
- Interviews: we speak with directors and key stakeholders to understand how governance works in practice.
- Analysis: we assess findings against legal requirements and recognised good practice.
- Report and presentation: we present our findings and recommendations to the board.
- Implementation support: if you wish, we help you put the recommendations into practice.
Deliverables
- A written governance and compliance review report.
- A summary of strengths, gaps and areas of risk.
- A prioritised action plan with suggested owners and timescales.
- Template documents where appropriate, such as a matters reserved schedule or board terms of reference.
- A presentation of findings to the board.
Pricing starts from £1,950 excluding VAT. The final fee depends on the size and complexity of your organisation and is confirmed in a fixed-fee proposal. For background reading, see our guides to the UK Corporate Governance Code and building a risk management framework.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a legal audit?
No. Our review assesses governance arrangements and compliance against legal requirements and good practice, but it is not legal advice. Where we identify issues that need formal legal input, we will flag them so you can consult your solicitors.
Does the UK Corporate Governance Code apply to private companies?
The Code applies formally to certain listed companies, not to private companies. However, its principles are a useful benchmark, and the 2024 version of the Code, published by the FRC, is shaping investor expectations more widely. We help you decide which elements are proportionate for your business.
How long does a review take?
It depends on the size of your organisation and how quickly documents and interviews can be arranged. We agree a timetable during scoping and keep you informed throughout.
