Date: 5th July 2012
Venue: City Campus, University of Wales, Newport
The Business Accountability and Responsibility Centre (‘BARC’) based at Newport Business School, University of Wales Newport, is hosting a major one-day conference on the importance of business taking responsibility across a range of activities on 5th July. Attendance at the conference is free and the programme has been designed to allow professionals to solely attend for either a morning or afternoon session if they so wish.
The conference, supported by the Institute of Directors (Wales), ACCA Cymru/Wales and ICAEW Wales, will bring together leading politicians, lawyers, accountants, academics and other professionals to explore ways in which businesses can be more accountable for their actions and will provide a key platform for debate at a time when commercial activity is under increasing pressure.
“The challenges that face business come from a number of quarters and in meeting them businesses must also take their responsibilities to their workforce, to the environment and to society seriously. The IOD is pleased to support an event which will allows discussion of some of the most pressing issues facing firms today” (Robert Lloyd Griffiths, director, IOD Wales)
Key questions asked will include:
• Should companies whose workers are treated for occupational illness pay the NHS for the treatment costs?
• Should company directors be required to follow a new code of professional practice?
• Should sustainability be built into day-to-day decision making?
Speakers at the conference will include:
• Matty Yates, Head of the International Network at the Prince of Wales Accounting for Sustainability Project. Matty will explore the significant sustainability challenges facing leaders and managers and will use practical examples and case studies to make the business case for ‘Integrated Thinking’ and ‘Integrated Reporting’, processes that involve the embedding of sustainability into day-to-day decision-making and the reporting of sustainability performance to stakeholders in an integrated way.
• David Travers QC. David, a leading barrister and visiting professor at BARC, will argue that a code of professional practice would assist directors of companies to fulfil their obligations.
• Ben Cottam, Head of ACCA Cymru/Wales (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants). Ben will provide an overview of the implementation of the Accounting for Sustainability project in Wales. ACCA is the largest global professional body for accountants and has 147,000 members and 424,000 students across the globe.
• Mick Antoniw AM. Mick will discuss how the increased powers of the Welsh Government will impact on business. He will also chart the progress of his bill which seeks to make firms refund money to the NHS following successful claims for illness caused by exposure to asbestos.
• Richard Voke, Partner and Head of Environment, Health and Safety at law firm Lyon Davidson. Richard will provide important insights into inspection regimes for business.
PROVISIONAL CONFERENCE TIMETABLE
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Time
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Content |
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9.00 – 9.30
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Conference registration and COFFEE
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9.00 – 9.45
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Welcome and introduction
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9.45 – 10.30
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Plenary session: Matty Yates, Head of International Network, Prince of Wales Accounting for Sustainability project.
Accounting for Sustainability – Integrated Thinking and Integrated Reporting.
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10.30 – 11.15
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Plenary session: David Travers QC, Six Pump Court Chambers, London.
A Directors Code of Professional Practice?
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11.15 – 11.45
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COFFEE
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11.45 – 1.15
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Law & Accountancy breakout sessions – will include:
Alex Dobson, Senior Lecturer in Law, Newport Business School.
Corporate Manslaughter.
Ben Cottam, Head of ACCA Cymru/Wales.
Applying the ‘Accounting for Sustainability’ project in Wales – a practical case study.
Jared Davies, Academic Subject Leader Professional Programmes, Newport Business School.
Accounting for Sustainability using Full Cost Accounting.
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1.15 – 2.00
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LUNCH
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2.00 – 2.45
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Plenary session: Mick Antoniw AM, Wales Government.
Increased powers of Welsh Government and impact on business and progress of Asbestos bill.
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2.45 – 3.30
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Plenary session: Richard Voke, Partner and Head of Environment, Health and Safety at law firm Lyon Davidson.
When an inspector calls. Insights into inspection regimes for business.
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3.30 – 4.00
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COFFEE
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4.00 – 5.00
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Law & Accountancy breakout sessions – will include:
Christine Hellings, Senior Lecturer Accounting & Corporate Governance, Newport Business School.
Financial Transparency and Governance Disclosures of UK Charities.
Rosemary Eaton, Senior Lecturer in Accountancy, Newport Business School.
Accounting Education.
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