Corporate Governance

The Mortgage Advice Bureau board of directors is the ultimate decision-making body for matters of strategic, financial, risk, regulatory or reputational significance. It is responsible for creating and delivering sustainable value through the management of the Group's business taking into account the needs of all its stakeholders. It determines the strategic objectives and policies of the Company to deliver long-term value, providing overall strategic direction throughout the business. 

The board adopted the Quoted Companies Alliance ("QCA") corporate governance code and is committed to achieving high standards of corporate governance, integrity and business ethics. To help achieve this,  this Board has established the following committees. 

The Audit Committee comprises Mandy Donald (Chair), Orlando Machado, Rachel Haworth and Mike Jones. Nathan Imlach served on the Committee until 18 June 2025.

The responsibilities of the Audit Committee are outlined within its  terms of reference, which are reviewed annually and approved by the Board. The  Committee’s primary responsibilities are to review the reporting of  financial and other information, to review the effectiveness of the Group’s internal and external audit processes, and to review the effectiveness of the Group’s internal financial systems and controls.

The Committee meets not less than two times a year and meetings are normally attended by representatives of the external and internal auditors. The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are invited to attend at the Committee’s request. The presence of other senior executives from the Group may be requested. The Committee meets with representatives of the external auditors, without management present, at least once a year.

The Remuneration Committee is chaired by Rachel Haworth. Its other members are Orlando Machado, Mandy Donald and Mike Jones. Nathan Imlach served on the Committee until 18 June 2025.

The Remuneration Committee also makes recommendations to the Board on proposals for the granting of share options and other equity incentives pursuant to any share option scheme or equity incentive scheme in operation from time to time. The remuneration and terms and conditions of appointment of the Non-executive Directors of the Company are set by the Board.

The Nomination Committee is chaired by Mike Jones. Its other members are Rachel Haworth, Orlando Machado and Mandy Donald. Nathan Imlach served on the Committee until 18 June 2025.

The Nominations Committee is responsible for evaluating the balance of skills, knowledge, diversity and experience on the Board, the size, structure and composition of the Board, retirements and appointments of additional and replacement directors and makes appropriate recommendations to the Board on such matters. The Nominations Committee prepares a description of the role and capabilities required for a particular appointment. The Nominations Committee meets formally at   least twice a year and otherwise as required.

The Group Risk Committee (GRC) comprises Mike Jones (Chair), Peter Brodnicki, Rachel Haworth, Emilie McCarthy, Paul Gill, Mandy Donald and Orlando Machado.

The RCC reports to the Group Risk Committee, escalating major risk events as and when applicable. 

This ensures at least two independent risk and compliance reviews.

The GRC meets at least four times per annum to review and discuss the following:

• All major Group-related existing and potential risks, including a full review of the Group Risk Register and any RCC escalations;
• Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR);
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR);
• Operational resilience;
• Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), vulnerable clients, diversity, and any other relevant regulatory themes;
• Other major risk considerations and relevant upcoming legislation.

The Groups’ risk framework is designed to ensure that risks are identified, managed and reported effectively. The Group has been investing in its risk management framework to meet the requirements of key regulatory changes on the Group, such as MIFID II, the GDPR and the SM&CR, as well as implementing its own Risk Profiler system. The Group’s risk management framework remains subject to ongoing review.

The Disclosure Committee is chaired by Mike Jones. Its other members are Nathan Imlach, Emilie McCarthy and Paul Gill.

The Committee will meet at such times and in such manner as shall be necessary or appropriate. 

The principle duties of the Committee are to:

• consider at appropriate junctures whether Inside Information exists in relation to the Company;
• if Inside Information is determined to exist, determine whether the Inside Information should be announced immediately or whether disclosure can and should be delayed to protect the legitimate interests of the Company;
• if disclosure of Inside Information is delayed, determine which persons or categories of persons require access to the Inside Information; 
• if disclosure of Inside Information is delayed, nominate appropriate persons to take primary responsibility for ongoing monitoring of compliance with the conditions for delayed disclosure as set out in MAR;
• in consultation with the Board and/or advisers if considered necessary, consider the need to prepare an appropriate announcement to be released in the event of a suspected leak, prepare the same if necessary and keep the same under review; and
• determining when Inside Information should be announced in consultation with the Company's advisers and the Company Secretary as necessary. 

Additionally, the Committee shall have a standing authority to approve trading updates of the Company on behalf of the Board. The authority excludes interim and annual results announcements unless such as authority has been explicitly delegated to the Committee by the Board.