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International Are European Boards?
As part of its mission to improve corporate
governance and spread best practice through fostering independent
scientific research and related activities, the European Corporate
Governance Institute is conducting a study among FT Europe 500
companies on board structures.
A preliminary survey in August 2001 yielded
some 101 responses, a significant return of just over 20 percent.
However the sample was not large enough to draw many meaningful
conclusions. The ECGI is currently sending out further questionnaires
to augment this sample.
Preliminary results
Based on the 101 responses received so far,
the preliminary findings of the study are:
- About 20% of executive and non-executive
board members are not nationals of the country of incorporation;
- Swiss and Dutch respondents have the most
international boards, while German and Italian respondents are
the least international;
- About 15% of companies that responded have
a non-domestic CEO; 10% a non-domestic Chairman;
- Non-domestic CEOs and Chairmen are found
most often among Swedish respondents;
- In contrast all the CEOs and Chairmen of
the German and Italian respondents are domestic.
See presentation by André Sapir,
Member, European Commission Group of Policy Advisors, at the ECGI
launch, Tuesday 15 January 2002 at La Maison de l'Europe at the
Bibliothèque Solvay, Brussels either as:
Further enquiries from: ft500boardsurvey@ecgi.org.
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