Provision 29: Stop Ticking Boxes and Start Delivering Proof
The game has changed for UK boards. Moving from trust to evidence-based governance.
The 2026 UK Corporate Governance Code has changed the game. Provision 29 isn't a suggestion; it is a declaration of effectiveness. If your board is still relying on 'trust' rather than 'test', you are one audit away from a crisis.
Boards now need proof that material controls—operational and compliance—are actually working.
What are Material Controls?
Definition: Material Controls are the essential processes and systems—spanning finance, operations, and compliance—that ensure an organisation meets its strategic objectives and regulatory obligations.
The role of the Company Secretary has evolved from minute-taker to governance architect. You need to supply the evidence, not just the agenda.
Action List for CoSecs:
- Build an assurance map. Link every major risk to a specific, tested control.
- Test control simulations. Do not wait for a breach to see if your policies hold up.
- Automate board packs. Spend less time formatting and more time analysing the data.
Our £149 Founding Member tier gives you the governance engine to satisfy the FRC without the overhead.
✨ Recommended For You
Statutory Filings: The Boardroom’s Most Expensive Admin
Company Secretarial work is often treated as admin until a deadline is missed. Learn how to automate statutory filings and reduce board-level risk.
Corporate Housekeeping is Not Optional: Protecting Your Board from Personal Liability
Company Secretarial work is often ignored until an audit or an investment round. That is a dangerous strategy. Poor governance devalues your business and exposes your directors to unnecessary risk.
Company Secretary Is a Board-Level Risk. Stop Treating It Like Admin.
The company secretary role is a board-level risk function, not an admin task. Learn why UK organisations that treat CoSec as paperwork are exposed to governance failures, regulatory penalties, and Provision 29 non-compliance.