Governance Services for Co-ops and Farmer Owned Businesses
SAOS has established a comprehensive range of governance services in partnership with English Farming and Food Partnerships. These services are designed to meet the specific needs of co-ops and farmer owned businesses, and delivered either by our own team, or by others who we know have appropriate knowledge and experience of both governance and the distinctive features of co-ops.
Information and Assistance on Governance Structures
Active democracy and good governance practice are critical success factors for co-ops. We provide advice on governance structures and effectiveness based on boardroom experience, and on information from co-op sources around the world.
Governance Standards for Co-ops and Farmer Owned Businesses
Our own publication of Governance Standards, setting out no-nonsense, bullet point, examples of good practice and helpful information. In compiling the Standards, reference was made to The Combined Code on Corporate Governance, and to the actual experiences of co-op directors
Board Self-Evaluation of Effectiveness
In a Board meeting, each director, individually and anonymously, evaluates board practice against 40 statements in a questionnaire covering board operation and management, planning, finance and control, structure and staff, communication and legal issues. The scores are entered into a spreadsheet and the findings reported back at the same board meeting in a colourful graphic format. An ideal way to identify governance development needs.
Board Policy Charters
A Board Policy Charter sets down the governance policies, practices and responsibilities in the business. The roles and tasks of the chairman, directors, chief executive and external directors are all defined, along with standards of conduct and performance. The Charter ensures that governance structures and arrangements are comprehensive and transparent, and provides a basis for regular review. We provide expert assistance to businesses to develop their Charter.
Corporate Risk Management Systems
Identifying and managing key business risks is a duty of the board. We have developed an easy to use corporate risk management system by adapting systems used in the financial sector. Corporate and department risks are identified and the level of risk ascertained. Monitoring data and management controls are specified, and responsibility for the management of each assigned is assigned. We also advise on risk management reporting. We provide expert assistance to businesses to develop their risk management framework.
Assistance with Induction
We have developed a comprehensive induction workbook for new directors that can easily be adapted to the needs of any business. It places an onus on the new director to ‘discover’ the things he needs to know by providing questions, prompts and information that he may use in an interview with the chairman, manager, accountant, and company secretary.
Foundation Skills Training Course
Over 115 directors have ‘graduated’ our 5-day Foundation Skills Course. The course was developed following an extensive training needs analysis of co-op directors in Scotland, and was designed to provide an insight into the range of subjects and disciplines to which directors are exposed; responsibilities, planning, financial information, marketing, change management, communications, managing people. We run both open courses and in-house courses. This training is suitable for new directors, and as a refresher for more senior directors.
Masters Seminars and Technical Seminars
Directors occasionally require in-depth, up to date knowledge of some subjects. SAOS arranges Masters Seminars and Technical Seminars at which professional experts in a subject are invited to address directors. Topics at previous seminars have included capitalising co-ops and farmer owned businesses, the development of New Generation Co-ops, and use of ‘trust’ bank accounts by agency co-ops. We are pleased to receive requests for seminars.
Confidential Advice Line
Chairmen or individual directors periodically have to deal with difficult issues or circumstances and value a confidential, independent, view from a person who is knowledgeable about governance, board and membership issues. SAOS has long provided a source of advice for individuals, as well as for entire boards.
Register of Prospective Non Executive Directors (NEDs)
We invite experienced managers or directors to let us know if they may be available to act as non-executive directors for other co-ops and farmer owned businesses. This information is made available to those looking for an NED.
Director’s Update Newsletter
The Director’s Update newsletter is published quarterly. It reports items of interest to SAOS member businesses and their directors
Learning Journeys
Directors can gain a vast amount of information and benefit from visiting similar businesses in other parts of the UK or further afield. SAOS assists boards to arrange learning journeys. Visits have taken place to mainland Europe and the USA.