A EX LISTED Company Secretary writes...
We currently produce very detailed minutes (8-10 pages) for our Executive Committee and Board (both usually full day meetings). Do other companies produce as detailed minutes as this? (I would note that we do not publish our minutes externally).
Please could you share the length and style of minutes you produce (notes or minutes)?
FTSE-100, regulated, financial services company.
Board minutes typically around 20 pages for a full day meeting.
ExCo – actions and approvals
It really depends on the type of company (regulated or not, listed or non-listed, private or public) and directors’ preference.
In our case audit committee minutes tend to be long and detailed albeit last time the minutes were only 4-page long (quite decent length).
For the executive committee – actions only.
Minutes would normally capture decisions and key points of discussion.
I produce c. 6-8 pages for a 5 hour meeting. These are on the upper end of detail which the Chair is OK with but other NEDs and CEO think could be shorter. We’ve had a lot of interesting strategic discussions recently so I’ve felt it’s important to include the detail as we pivot. I am going to try and write a little less!
Only decisions and key points of discussion for plc board minutes. A meeting spread over 2 days might generate 4-5 pages of minutes.
Execo – actions only. I page.
My Board like more formal minutes but with a reasonable amount of detail. Significant comments and opinions are recorded, although I do sanitise them. The style very much depends on the preference of the Chair. Over the years minutes have evolved from just recording decisions to trying to get a summary of the debate as the section 172 requirements have developed.
It’s a matter of preference for the Board. Our Board like relatively full minutes. For a half day meeting usually 3-4 pages. Mostly bullet points. Anything quantitative or qualitative reported, that is not already in slides or papers, is recorded together with any action points/responsibilities.