Over the past few years, beneficial ownership transparency policies have gained traction around the world. As of 2018, 18 countries had announced commitments to implementing beneficial ownership transparency policies. They include France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. This rapid increase begs a few questions: what is beneficial ownership transparency, what do beneficial ownership transparency policies… Read More
Total, one of France’s largest oil and gas companies, is on the verge of being sued by dozens of French NGOs and climate activists for failing to meet its legal obligation to respond to the climate crisis. Groups such as Les Eco Maires have signed onto a June 2019 letter indicating that unless Total strengthens… Read More
Photo credit: CACB With the passage of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and enforcement of laws such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or the UK Bribery Act, doing business with integrity has become an expectation placed on global companies wherever they operate. Chambers of commerce and business associations are therefore increasingly called… Read More
Open Ownership, an organization dedicated to increasing corporate transparency, has recently released a guide that serves as a useful explainer of beneficial ownership transparency policies. Beneficial ownership transparency means that legal entities (such as companies) must disclose information about the people who ultimately own, fund, and/or control them. Anonymous “shell” companies can play a significant… Read More
Blair Glencorse is the founder and executive director of the Accountability Lab, an anti-corruption oriented nonprofit organization that places integrity at the heart of its work. Accountability Lab prides itself on taking a “positive” approach to anti-corruption work, focusing on solutions, do-gooders, and individuals instead of institutions and bad actors (a method they refer to… Read More
Photo Credit: Gleb Garanich, Reuters Last year’s election of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his pledge to curb corruption in the public and private spheres has brought about a shift in the Armenian business community’s attitude towards anti-corruption compliance. This new government openness has encouraged businesses to look towards transparent business practices and… Read More