New guide published for FCBs

A NEW GUIDE to help directors run farmer-controlled businesses more effectively has been launched by English Farming and Food Partnerships and Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society.

Copies of the pocket book titled “The Governance Standards for Co-ops and Farmer Controlled Businesses” have been sent to every FCB in England and Scotland, and to every director of the largest 50 FCBs.

EFFP chairman Jeremy Pope said farmers rightly expected that these businesses were professionally run.

“The recommendations in the pocket book represent a roadmap for excellence in corporate governance that we urge all farmer-controlled businesses to follow,” he said.

A number of best practices in corporate governance are recommended, including provision of sufficient information in the annual report and accounts, induction training for new directors and a process to evaluate board performance, the chairman and individual directors.

Copies are available form Emily Egan at EFFP on emily.egan@effp.com or 020 7213 0431.