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:

• a transcript of the presentation illustrated by slides or
• slides of the presentation supported by the text

Further enquiries from: ft500boardsurvey@ecgi.org.