Annual reports, AGMs, and UK governance reform for 2025

With investor expectations shifting, regulatory requirements evolving, and sustainability reporting gaining formal legal weight, preparing an annual report and AGM has become a more complex undertaking than ever. For company secretaries and governance professionals heading into 2025, this episode is essential preparation.  In this podcast, a panel of A&O Shearman specialists provide a comprehensive overview of the key issues and decisions facing boards and company secretaries as they plan their next reporting cycle.   The episode covers four distinct areas: market trends and investor expectations for AGM format and business in 2025; key issues for annual reports, including the impact of changes to the UK Corporate Governance Code and UK Listing Rules; recent developments in sustainability-related reporting; and horizon scanning on likely future developments in UK governance and reporting.  Company secretaries, general counsel, and governance teams preparing for their next annual cycle will leave this episode with a structured view of the decisions ahead, the changes that require immediate attention, and the trends worth monitoring for the year beyond.