Ruth Prickett
Ruth Prickett graduated from Cambridge University with a BA hons in History and has specialized in business and finance journalism for the past 20 years. She was editor of Financial Management, the magazine for the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, for many years before relaunching and editing Audit & Risk magazine for the Chartered IIA. She has written for a wide range of specialist business titles and drafted white papers and reports for clients including HSBC and Vodafone.
PremiumDirectors should be more accountable for failure, while also taking more risks, says U.K. regulator
Director accountability is back in the spotlight in the U.K., even as the government pushes for regulatory simplification to cut red tape and drive growth. This raises questions about how boards can be encouraged to take risks to grow their businesses while also being held more accountable for governance failings. ...
PremiumAI regulation: U.K. sits on regulatory fence between U.S. and E.U.
The U.K. has pressed pause on artificial intelligence regulation as its government comes under twin pressures from those who fear the growing power of unregulated AI and the overriding need to generate growth. The postponement of long-expected legislation means that the U.K. is left sitting on the fence between federal ...
ArticleU.K. aims to streamline regulation to boost economic growth as markets fall
The U.K.’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has promised a “radical action plan” to cut the cost of regulation to businesses by a quarter and boost economic growth. Now the Cabinet Office has written to government departments requiring them to justify every quango, with the presumption that these semipublic ...
PremiumCompanies unprepared for European Accessibility Act as June deadline looms
An accessible website should be a basic requirement for businesses, allowing the largest number of people to access a company’s content and services. With technology as an enabler, it also makes good business sense. After all, why would any organization want to hinder customer access? However, many websites are not ...
PremiumEU drives ‘omnibus’ of simplifications through landmark sustainability reporting directives
The European Commission has adopted proposals for radical simplifications to the EU’s trailblazing environmental regulations. The commissioners argue that this is a pragmatic response to changing global economics and indicates that they have listened to the concerns of smaller businesses that are struggling to comply with onerous and conflicting rules.
PremiumExperts explain why IIA's new global audit rules will be 'central' to securing high-quality assurance
Compliance teams should expect more support from their organization’s internal audit functions. That is the clear message from the Institute of Internal Auditors, the global body of national affiliated internal audit institutes, which has just put into action its new Global Internal Audit Standards.
PremiumU.K. competition and markets regulator wields new power to combat fake online reviews
Fake reviews of products and services are a global phenomenon, but regulators in the U.K. are beginning to use newly expanded powers to protect buyers and honest competitors following a recent crackdown by U.S. authorities.
PremiumExperts: Prepare now with U.K. failure to prevent fraud offense on horizon
Fraud prevention is about to get more complicated with penalties rising sharply for U.K. organizations. Starting Sept. 1, larger businesses will be liable to criminal prosecution if any of their employees–or an agent, subsidiary, or other “associated person”–commits fraud that is intended to benefit the company.
PremiumCJEU ruling adds to GDPR liability over unfair competition, AML/CFT
Legal cases and fines for noncompliance with EU’s GDPR could rise sharply after a court found that a breach was a source of unfair competition. The judgment also opens doors to civil cases over companies that ignoring expensive or challenging rules, such as those regarding AML/CFT.
PremiumEU AI Act next GDPR? Proof in the pudding as boardrooms prioritize data governance
Breaches of the EU’s GDPR can cost companies substantial sums and huge reputational damage. Now some are warning that the implementation of the EU’s AI Act will be just as far-reaching, and could potentially lead to similar numbers of cases.
PremiumCheck, please! Tipped employee compensation in spotlight amid U.K., U.S. ‘fair’ pay debate
Earlier this year, amid then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s campaign promise to end taxes on tips in the U.S., the U.K. government introduced a new law to ensure that all tips are paid in full to staff, regardless of whether they were given in cash or by credit card.
PremiumEvolving sanctions rules make continuous screening, due diligence essential in 2025
The EU and U.K. have rushed to commit themselves to intensifying action on sanctions evasion after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, but any compliance managers who believe Trump will make global sanctions compliance easier in 2025 are likely to be disappointed.
PremiumU.K., EU enforcement regimes set to escalate, but critics question sanctions’ effectiveness
With a new political regime ready to take over in the U.S., the effectiveness of sanctions against malign foreign actors like Russia, North Korea, and Iran have come into question. While the European Union and U.K. have increased sanctions pressure, critics have publicly asked: Is it enough?
PremiumEU Deforestation Directive delayed, experts advise compliance managers to not rest on laurels
If your business uses leather, rubber, wood, beef, palm oil, soy, or paper, then you may need to comply with the EU Deforestation Directive, a new rule intended to ensure that no goods traded in the EU contribute to global deforestation.
PremiumU.K. Employment Rights Bill triggers debate over flexibility vs. exploitation
Contract workers’ rights are in the spotlight in the U.K. and some EU countries as governments seek to end exploitative practices by eliminating zero-hours contracts, much to the chagrin of some business leaders.
PremiumEU businesses will soon have to report on supply chains and sustainability. Not all are ready
Supply chains are about to become the next big thing in sustainability compliance. However, many organizations still lack the data and assurance capabilities to track sustainability and human rights activities across their extended supply chains – which is required by the EU’s CS3D. Many others that fall out of scope ...
PremiumNew U.K. enforcement body piles pressure on sanctions evaders
Global sanctions rules are increasing rapidly, as are tools to detect and punish those who break them. In response, the U.K. government is creating a new Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation to investigate and penalize those who break sanctions rules.
PremiumBudweiser Budvar registration failures show ESG impacts of U.K. noncompliance
Most businesses think more about their products than what they come wrapped in, but a recent U.K. penalty against Czech brewery Budweiser Budvar indicates packaging is an increasingly important element in sustainability regulations.
PremiumExperts warn U.K. money laundering cases to ‘significantly increase’
The U.K. has an ongoing problem with money laundering, but recent changes to economic crime law and corporate registration requirements could bring more cases to court, according to consultancy KPMG.
PremiumQ&A: APCC chair on culture challenges facing financial services firms
Julie Ampadu, chair of the U.K.’s Association of Professional Compliance Consultants, spoke to Compliance Week about why culture is the biggest issue facing financial services firms.