If you are looking for a way to improve your Board's performance, consider engaging Lionheart Corporate Governance to conduct your Board evaluation. Lionheart can help you identify areas where the board is excelling and areas where it can improve. Lionheart can also help you develop a plan to address any potential problems.

Feel free to contact us at admin@lionheart.ie or fiona@lionheart.ie

In today's rapidly evolving society, it seems to us that the principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are not just moral imperatives but strategic necessities. At Lionheart Corporate Governance, we believe that embedding these values into the core of regulated Irish charities can crystallise profound societal change, ensuring that every individual and our community thrives.

Happy Easter 2024

Happy Easter to all our clients, colleagues and partners and to their respective families.

Navigating the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations into corporate governance frameworks is pivotal for boards seeking to align their strategies with sustainability objectives. This Lionheart Corporate Governance set of questions is designed to guide directors through the critical aspects of embedding ESG principles into governance practices, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge to make informed decisions that reflect the organisation's commitment to sustainability.

Happy St Patricks Day

Happy St Patricks day to all our clients, colleagues and partners and to their respective families.

We hope you have a great day

The team at Lionheart are pleased to support the Jack and Jill Foundation once again and are delighted to receive this work of art by the artist Anna Byrne via participation in their annual Incognito campaign

NEW PPSN REQUIREMENT FOR IRISH DIRECTORS

With effect from 23 April 2023, the Companies Registration Office (CRO) will require all directors of Irish companies to provide their personal public service number (PPSN) or a Verified Identity number (VIN) when:

• Incorporating a new company (CRO Form A1)

• Filing an annual return (CRO Form B1)

• Notifying a change of director (CRO Form B10)

• Notifying of ceasing to act as a director (CRO Form B69)

Requirement for identity verification

The requirement for directors to provide a PPSN was introduced by the Companies (Corporate Enforcement Authority) Act 2021.

The purpose of the new disclosure requirement is:

• To reduce the risk of identity theft by introducing additional identity validation checks when submitting personal information relating to directors to the CRO, and

• To improve the accuracy and integrity of the information held by the CRO

A director’s unique PPSN will be used for identity validation purposes but will not appear on the summary page of any CRO filing, nor will it be publicly available.

Validated PPSN and VIN information will be stored securely by the CRO in an irreversible hashed/encrypted format.

Non-resident directors

Non-resident directors who do not have a PPSN will be required to apply to have a VIN issued to them by means of a Form VIF, or Declaration as to Verification of Identity. This form must state the name, date of birth, nationality and address of the director who is applying for the VIN.

The director must solemnly declare this information to be correct and true, and have this declaration verified, witnessed by a commissioner for oaths / notary and signed.

If an RBO Transaction Number was previously issued to a director for the purpose of filings with the Central Register of Beneficial Ownership of Companies and Industrial & Provident Societies (RBO), this number will be reclassified as a VIN and it will not be necessary to obtain and provide a separate number in these cases.

Verification discrepancies and potential delays

The CRO will verify the information provided by a director against the name and details held at the Department of Employment and Social Protection (DEASP) via an electronic interface. If there are any discrepancies in this information, it may result in the submission being rejected.

Given the requirement to provide either a PPSN or VIN on incorporation for all directors, there is a potential for delays with new company incorporations where non-resident directors may need to apply for a VIN in advance of submitting the incorporation application.

Summary

The implementation of the new PPSN requirement should greatly improve the overall accuracy of company information on the register in the long term. Given the potential for delays in the initial implementation period, companies and presenters should act now to ensure that the information held at the DEASP is consistent with the information held at the CRO or to apply for VIN where needed.

For more information regarding the new requirements, contact a member of the Lionheart Corporate Governance team.

Happy St Patricks Day

Happy Easter to all our clients, colleagues and partners and to their respective families.

We hope you have a great break

Board effectiveness holds many definitions depending on the industry, mission, organisation size, local legislature, challenges and tasks at hand, and more. However, there are some common factors all governing boards must adhere to to be successfully effective.

Register for our 30-minute panel discussion webinar to get the latest insights on how to increase board effectiveness in mission driven organisations. The panel will discuss, provide tips, and share best practices on:

• Defining board effectiveness

• Board member recruitment, onboarding, and annual reviews

• Information sharing structure and processes

• Board member communications, engagement, and more!

Bring your questions!

Happy St Patricks Day

Happy St Patricks day to all our clients, colleagues and partners and to their respective families.

We hope you have a great day

Extension to Virtual AGM Legislation

In a welcome decision from Government the Covid-19 pandemic-related provisions that let businesses hold virtual Annual General Meetings have been extended by the Government through to the end of 2023.

The government approved the further extension of the Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Covid-19) Act's interim provisions in relation to the Companies Act 2014 and the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1893. 

More information may be found HERE

Charity Trustee Training

Practical CPD Training module for Trustees of Irish Registered Charities with up to date insights and demonstrations of best practice and current legislation.

Spring Legislation Programme

Government Chief Whip, Minister Hildegarde Naughton has published the Spring Legislative Programme containing 38 bills for publication and priority drafting by Ministers in the forthcoming Oireachtas session.

The programme has been approved by Cabinet and is published following engagement and consultation with government departments, officials and the Office of the Attorney General.

Link to the programme HERE

New SEAR Legislation

As the Central Bank (Individual Accountability Framework) Bill 2022 ("Bill") moves quickly through the Irish parliamentary process, the implementation of an Irish Individual Accountability Framework, including a Senior Executive Accountability Regime ("SEAR"), has picked up speed.

New Sick Leave Legislation

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney, has confirmed the new entitlement to employer-paid sick leave which comes into effect 1st January 2023. Workers will now be entitled to up to 3 days of employer-paid sick leave in a year, paid at 70% of gross salary up to a cap of €110 per day.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Lionheart is delighted to announce our new partnership with Diligent as our Software Solution Partner. This partnership recognises Lionheart’s expertise, competence and outstanding client support in the areas of Corporate Governance and Board Evaluations.

Happy Christmas to all our clients families and friends

We hope you have a peaceful break and a Healthy New Year

The Rules of Engagement

Some of you may be familiar of The Robert's Rules of Order ?

If you have attended a meeting no doubt you have come within their stated rules of engagement. They were written in 1876 and set the gold standard of how to proceduarly run meetings but how do they function as a best practises manual for boards in the contemporary, digital, and virtual era?

Lionheart - A recognised leader in the field of Board Evaluations.

September 2022

A key component of good governance is evaluating the effectiveness of the Board and making the necessary adjustments.

Additionally, both the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (2016) and the Charities Governance Code mandates it.

As a niche consultancy focused on Corporate Governance and Board Evaluations, Lionheart has carried out reviews and evaluations with excellent outcomes and added value for our clients accross the corporate spectrum.

“Its coming to that time of year once more where a lot of organisations are factoring in a Board Evaluation into to their Corporate Governance calenders”.

If you are considering such a review please contact us for details and or a quote at fiona@lionheart.ie or patrick@lionheart.ie

We would be delighted to have a chat with you about your requirements