Welcome to the July 2013 issue of GuerdonNews®

In this month's issue we:

• Note personnel changes in proxy advisers
• Cry hallelujah that both the government and opposition have committed to reviewing employee options and share plan taxation to encourage start ups and small companies
• Provide assurance that it is probably ok to relocate an executive or other employee that few thousand kilometres closer to work without incurring Fringe Benefits Tax
• Underscore what a good consultative process can produce on executive pay disclosure with the release of the final version of the UK regulations
• Advise that the Melbourne office has changed its primary telephone number

We conclude with mentions of Guerdon Associates in the news media, and the latest on executive and director remuneration disclosure updates available on the GuerdonData® on-line database.

Proxy firm personnel changes

ACSI CEO to retire, new ISS head of research

Ann Byrne, the CEO of ACSI, has announced she is transitioning to retirement in or around October 2013 after more than five years in the role.

Meanwhile, ISS has appointed Ulysses Chioatto as head of research.

Better laws to encourage employee share plans in start-up, R&D and speculative companies

Australian government recognises that 2009 tax laws stifle growth companies

The Australian government has undertaken to “review the tax treatment of employee share schemes (ESSs) and develop guidance to reduce the administrative burden of establishing such schemes.”

That the federal opposition agrees indicates that all may not be lost in the aftermath of a forthcoming election.

Australian Tax Office accepts a requirement is a requirement, even when it is not required

Common sense prevails in interpreting whether FBT is applied to relocation expenses

Under the law, the employer’s reimbursement of the employee for the costs of relocating to a new residence a mere 3,000 km closer to the job may attract Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) if being close to the job is not a formal job requirement.

New UK executive pay laws finalised

Disclosures will have the basics that Australian regulations do not require

After an extensive period of cunsultation and many iterations, there is now a reasonable consensus on the UK's new executive pay laws.

Guerdon Associates' Melbourne office expands

Requiring us to invest in a new phone system with new numbers

Please note that with the growth in employee numbers in our Melbourne office, Guerdon Associates has upgraded its phone system. But this has also required new telephone numbers.

The new general number is 03 9600 0295.

The address at 454 Collins Street remains unchanged.

Latest GuerdonData® Updates

Updates to GuerdonData® include disclosures from the following four companies:

CSR Ltd, Metcash Ltd, Singapore Telecommunications Ltd, and James Hardie Industries plc

Executive and director remuneration data from all ASX 300 companies on GuerdonData® is available to any subscriber. Visit our website for more information on GuerdonData®.

Assess how easily you can find out director and executive pay information by viewing our 6 minute demo. Click on the “More Info” button below.

Guerdon Associates in the news

“Executive pay changes placed on ice this year”, The Boardroom Report, Volume 11 Issue 12, 26 June 2013