Staying ahead of the reporting curve

Staying ahead of the reporting curve

Posted: 14 September 2011

A discussion of the key topics from September's corporate reporting breakfast.

Over 60 delegates from the FTSE and related organisations assembled at the Andaz Hotel last week to discuss how to create effective and engaging reporting now and in the future.

SAS's 4th breakfast of the year, Staying ahead of the reporting curve, included a discussion of the changing role of corporate reporting, a Q&A session on integrated reporting and a case study on the development of the award-winning Land Securities Annual Report. 

SAS Client Partner, Adrian Parker, reflected on the audience research SAS have conducted over the past seven years, observing the enduring disconnect between what is expected of the report and what is being delivered in the minds of professional investors. He then moved on to give an informed perspective on the roles of digital in corporate reporting, from social media to apps.

Zoe Arden, Director of Sustainability, MSLGROUP and Chris Tuppen from Accounting for Sustainability continued the discussion of trends in reporting with the hottest topic of the moment - Integrated reporting. Interestingly a straw poll taken on the day showed that integrated reporting is welcome as almost 90% of those polled agreed it was a worthwhile reporting structure through which to demonstrate the value of their company. 83% also reported that sustainability was recognised as a mainstream strategic issue within their organisation however interestingly less than a quarter could say that their business had identified the top three socio-economic trends that would affect the organisation in the future.

Donal McCabe, Head of Communications at Land Securities finished the morning's discussions, sharing his learnings from the past few tumultuous years of reporting. His key advice on how to achieve sustainable corporate reporting success encompassed transparency through increased disclosure, inherent linkage through the report of key elements, and authentic, consistent writing.

To hear more about this event/discuss its key themes in more detail, please contact Elizabeth Gordon.

• Tags:
• Corporate Reporting, Breakfast Meeting