We have now published the results of our eighth QCA/BDO Small and Mid-Cap Sentiment Index. Our report is available here.
While we continued to track key components of business sentiment this quarter, we also asked small and mid-cap quoted companies and their advisors for their views on corporate governance. Some highlights from the results include:
- 67% of small and mid-cap quoted companies are optimistic about prospects for the UK economy over the next 12 months – the same time last year only 8% of companies were optimistic.
- 76% of small and mid-cap quoted companies are optimistic about their own business prospects – up 4% on April.
- 50% of small and mid-cap companies follow the UK Corporate Governance Code, with a further 35% following the Quoted Companies Alliance Corporate Governance Code.
- 72% of small and mid-cap companies believe ‘comply or explain’ is very important or reasonably important in influencing corporate governance behaviour in the UK.
- 31% of small and mid-cap companies that had an opinion believe proxy voting agencies play a positive role in corporate governance.
- 50% of companies that recruited for board positions in the last 12 months had female candidates on the short list and 37% appointed female candidates to a board position – both of which have risen since April 2012.
Thank you to those that participated. We welcome your feedback on any aspects of the survey, the report, or relevant issues affecting the sector – please email Kate Jalbert.
Our next QCA/BDO Small and Mid-Cap Sentiment Index will take place in October. So please help us make the voice of the small and mid-cap quoted company sector heard and participate next time too.
You can find out more about the survey by visiting www.bdoqcasentimentindex.co.uk or by following @QCAandBDO on twitter. Thank you again for your support.
