Adrian Cadbury has had considerable experience of boards and chairmanship in Britain and abroad. He was Chairman of Cadbury Schweppes for 14 years and his board appointments have included the Bank of England and IBM UK Ltd. In 2001, he received the International Corporate Governance Network Award.
Corporate governance has become a major issue in business over the last decade. The book provides a background to the theory of governance and its application in the business world. The author discusses and explains the central issue of corporate governance; provides practical advice to chairmen and directors on their roles and responsibilities; and surveys the major codes of practice that have been developed in the last decade. The author speculates on the implications of electronic developments for shareholders' voice and voting, the extent of a company's social responsibility, and the changing relationship between boards, managers, and investors.
This work is both an informed commentary and a practical guide. The author's insights will prove essential reading for anybody taking on senior roles in companies and other public organizations, and will provide well-grounded analysis for lawyers, management academics, MBA and law students, and advisers. This book is highly relevant for the Company Law course in the LL.B. programme as prescribed in the latest UGC Model Curriculum, valid from July 2002.
This book is highly topical and relevant especially on a discussion on the protection of shareholder and minority rights, and how, in the light of recent accounting scams like those at Enron and Worldcom top management can be controlled and held to account. Further, given how much the subject of corporate governance is in the news: there are strict governance norms that have been included in the new Companies Act and given the increasing importance of the subject, the book would be invaluable for corporate lawyers and MBA students.