Below are extracts of Chief Executive John Pierce's Diary

July 08

• Sir Ronald Cohen (founder of Private Equity house, Apax Partners) - One of the founder members of CISCO –now the QCA – Sir Ronald was pleased to join the QCA Board meeting to discuss his controversial views that AIM was not doing the task that was needed –NASDAQ was the better model.
• London School of Economics - Met with Sir Geoffrey Owen to consider a joint conference in the autumn and to seek help to recruit a replacement research assistant.
• Paris - Chairing the first meeting of the European smaller issuers group. Agreed composition of the group, programmes of work, EC contacts to lobby for lighter regulation.
• Inaugural Lunch for NEDs - The first of a series of discussion lunches specifically for NEDs. Hosted by Coutts Bank, 16 NEDs reviewed current challenges under the chairmanship of Paul Clarke, QCA deputy chairman.

June 08

• NED Scheme - Discussions to revitalise the QCA scheme to help member companies find NEDs.
• APPCGG - Met with the organising secretary of the All Parliamentary Party Corporate Governance Group to suggest one of their meetings should focus on SQCs.
• President’s Reception - This was held at the Wallace Collection – the splendid house and gallery with a priceless collection of C18 th & C19 th paintings. Nearly 300 QCA members and colleagues enjoyed a convivial evening of networking sponsored by PLUS Markets Group.

May 08

• Presidents briefing - With QCA Chairman Donald Stewart, met with Lord Strathclyde, QCA President, for the quarterly briefing on issues and events.
• IASB - Led a delegation from UK, France, Belgium, Germany and Austria, to meet with directors of the International Accounting Standards Board in London. Topics covered complexity and relevance of IFRS; fair value; continuing under-representation of issuers and users on committees.
• Middlenext - Met with CEO of the ‘French QCA’ to hear result of their lobbying at the French Treasury and agree agenda for joint work and with EI.
• IASB - Sir Bryan Nicholson, a trustee of the IASB met with the QCA Accounting Standards Committee to explain the changes in governance at the IASB, which should lead to more effective consultation and more relevant IFRS.

April 08

• 100 Group - Together with Tim Gordon (E&Y), Chair of the QCA Accounting Standards Committee, met with Peter Williams of the 100 group representing FDs of the FTSE 100, to discuss developments in IFRS.
• PLUS Markets Group - Met with Simon Brickles (CEO) to receive update on progress of their two markets and trading platform.
• CBI - Briefed head of CBI Legal & Company Affairs section about EuropeanIssuers; also discussed Climate Change Bill impact on company reporting.
• European Commission - David Wright, Deputy Director-General, DG Internal Markets & Services at the EC, met with the QCA board; covered topics such as negative impact of the Prospectus Directive on small cap money raising; EC new focus on smaller businesses; EU State aid provisions preventing tax incentives to invest in small caps etc.

March 08

• IoD Seminar - For the QCA, putting the view of SQCs in presentations about board effectiveness and appraisals.
• ICAEW Annual Dinner - Representing the QCA at this prestigious event held in the Chartered Accountants’ Hall. Lifetime achievement award made to Sir Adrian Cadbury for his contribution to corporate governance.
• Lunch with ‘fellow’ organisations - Chairman Donald Stewart hosted a lunch attended by the heads or deputy heads of the British Bankers’ Association, Investment Management Association, British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, and Association of Private Client Investment Managers and Stockbrokers to identify issues of common concern where we might work together.
• Market Makers Lunch -n A group of 20 finance directors from QCA members visited Winterfloods trading floor to learn how the ‘market works’. This is a very valuable opportunity to talk to the dealers in your company’s shares, discuss spreads, reasons for price movements etc. Always a very popular event – with a very good lunch as a bonus!

February 08

• NED Awards awarded - A refreshingly different awards ceremony (no loud music or indifferent comedians) at the Royal Exchange. Ishbel McPherson of Hydrogen took the AIM prize organised by the NED Association.
• Faegre & Benson Winter Dinner - A guest of Chairman Donald Stewart at his firm’s special event at St John’s Gate, EC1, the ancient London home of the Knights of St John.
• FRRP Seminar - Members, Mazars, hosted an evening for the Chairman of the Financial Reporting Review Panel to explain the work of the Panel. Over 20 FDs attended at Mazars’ wonderful new offices overlooking the Tower of London.

January 08

• Planning meeting with ABI - To arrange agenda for the second workshop to agree guidance for institutional investor and SQC engagement.
• New European Group - The first meeting of the board of EuropeanIssuers, which represents EU-listed companies, with a separate sub-committee to consider small and mid-cap matters headed by QCA.
• QCA Seminar, Placings under MiFID - 90+ members attended to get a clear interpretation and work through some of the confusion that MiFID has brought to the market.
• Adviser Members’ Dinner - A very enjoyable evening at the House of Lords, with 100+ in attendance and an address by Lord Strathclyde.