Leadership, governance, systems and controls

What are the key areas to think about when seeking to embed ethical principles within your firm’s organisational approach and control structure?

Leadership, governance, systems and controls have long been seen as important for business success. A decade on from the financial crisis, focus has turned from profitability to sustainability and it is widely recognised that a firm’s approach to its leadership, governance and systems and controls is vital to the development of a good conduct culture. 

In this section we consider the key pillars which underpin a firm’s organisational approach and control structure, considering in particular:

• the role of the Board in defining a firm’s purpose and articulating a culture of risk awareness and ethical behaviour; 
• how a firm’s leadership and staff at all levels can shape the culture of an organization; and 
• the role which the three lines of defence can play in embedding and monitoring ethical values within an organisation.