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Ukrainian critical minerals for British technologies: BGV presented Ukraine's mining potential in London

BGV Group Management

On March 26, one of the largest investment companies in Ukraine - BGV Group Management presented at the highest level in London opportunities for cooperation with Ukraine in the field of mining. BGV’s founder, Gennadii Butkevych, as well as its management team were invited to join British parliamentarians, members of the House of Lords and state ministers to participate in an official event on investment in Ukraine, which took place in the Houses of Parliament. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss British-Ukrainian partnership in the field of critical minerals mining, which will help the United Kingdom to develop advanced technologies and promote the transition to clean energy. The event was attended by Lord Martin Callanan - Under Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Green Investment at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and Bob Seely MP. Representatives of Ukrainian business were also present. In its speech, the BGV team noted three main areas of development in the British-Ukrainian bilateral partnership: FAMILIARIZATION WITH THE MINING POTENTIAL OF UKRAINE Ukraine has all the prerequisites to become one of Britain’s main suppliers of critical minerals crucial for advanced technologies and the green energy transition. 117+ types of minerals have been discovered across Ukraine’s rich subsoil. In particular, the country has reserves of 22 out of 30 raw materials resources that have been identified as critical by the EU. Ukrainian lands have significant deposits of beryllium, zirconium, titanium, rare earths and others, and graphite reserves in Ukraine are among the largest in the world. Many Ukrainian deposits are located on Europe’s doorstep, which provides profitable logistics with low transport costs. INSURANCE OF RISKS War risks insurance is currently an extremely necessary tool for protecting foreign investments in Ukraine. In 2023, Britain set an example to the whole world by unlocking insurance coverage for exporters of Ukrainian grain through the Ukrainian Black Sea corridor. Private British investments in the Ukrainian economy, in particular in raw materials projects, also need a similar effective insurance mechanism. The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) has already started to provide war risks insurance guarantees in Ukraine from the Trust Fund for the Support of the Reconstruction and Economy of Ukraine. Opportunities for trade insurance in Ukraine and investments in local projects are also provided by America (USDFC and USAID), Japan (NEXI), Poland (Kuke), Germany (administered by PricewaterhouseCoopers) and others. INVESTMENTS IN MINING The BGV team called on British business to increase investment activity within the mining industry in Ukraine. During his speech in the Houses of Parliament, Serhii Voitsekhovskyi emphasized that BGV is ready to become a reliable partner of British investors and companies in the field of critical minerals. BGV Group and Gennadii Butkevych as its founder have already invested more than 100 million dollars in Ukrainian mining projects in 8 years to help Ukraine emerge as a leader in global critical minerals. In particular, two main mining projects of BGV Group Management were presented at the event. THE BALAKHIV PROJECT, the BGV team has currently completed all laboratory and pilot tests of graphite, which is widely used in battery production, identified the enrichment technology and is designing a production complex. In 2025, the company plans to start construction of one of the largest graphite production complexes in Europe, the potential capacity of which will be 50 thousand tons of high-quality graphite concentrate per year, of which 19 thousand tons are suitable for the production of spherical graphite. This, the company’s experts note, will cover a significant part of the EU market needs. PERZHANSK COMPLEX BERYLLIUM DEPOSIT, Serhii Voitsekhovskyi also presented to the participants of the meeting details of BGV’s hydrometallurgical tests and assessment of reserves according to international standards. Next year, in 2025, the BGV team plans to complete work on the preliminary feasibility study (PFS) for the search of potential strategic investors for the project. In conclusion, the representatives of Gennadii Butkevych's BGV investment group emphasized that cooperation with Ukraine in the field of critical minerals can provide Britain with a powerful raw material base for the development of a number of technologies and innovations in medicine, the automotive industry, computer technologies, lasers, navigation, telecommunications devices, the aerospace industry and many others. What is no less important: it will also help to avoid raw material dependence of European countries on Chinese critical minerals. The event was organized by CEO Club and Bob Seely MP. Contact Details BGV Group Management Press Contact +380 44 277 1430 press@bgv.com.ua

April 03, 2024 02:54 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Stanton Chase Expands to Burgeoning Huntsville, Alabama Through Its New Office

Digifora

Stanton Chase proudly announces the inauguration of its newest office in Huntsville, Alabama. Two of the company’s leading executives are spearheading the initiative. Al Smith, Jr., is the youngest managing partner in Stanton Chase’s history and is collaborating with seasoned advisor Daniel Casteel. Casteel is also a managing partner and the Stanton Chase Global Functional Leader for CEO Search and Succession, bringing nearly 25 years of industry experience to the new office. The Huntsville office gives Stanton Chase a “boots on the ground” presence in Alabama’s fastest-growing market. Nicknamed “The Rocket City,” Huntsville’s population has surged in recent years and has been named the number one best job market in the U.S. Already the largest city in the state and an affordable place to live, the area also has a reputation as an aerospace, defense, and technology hub. Bioscience and advanced manufacturing also have a strong presence, and the city’s population growth is driving commercial, residential, and industrial construction. The strategic location of the new Stanton Chase office places it in close proximity to esteemed organizations such as Dynetics, ADTRAN, SAIC, and Toyota Manufacturing. These industry leaders align seamlessly with Stanton Chase's expertise in executive recruitment and leadership advisory, facilitating tailored partnerships with organizations poised for success. As the inaugural Stanton Chase presence in north Alabama, the Huntsville office serves as a pivotal hub, catering to the needs of forward-thinking businesses and fostering impactful collaborations statewide. “I am honored to be part of Huntsville's dynamic growth and flourishing business community," stated Al Smith, Jr. "Amidst its palpable energy and burgeoning enterprises, Huntsville stands poised to emerge as a leading business hub in the Southeast. I look forward to collaborating with local organizations, leveraging our expertise in executive search and leadership advisory to drive strategic growth and foster impactful leadership development initiatives across the region.” Daniel Casteel echoed this sentiment, saying, “I have been in this industry for years, and it is clear that Huntsville has significant potential for growth.” The managing partner added, “At Stanton Chase, integrity, transparency, and discipline are at the core of every client and candidate relationship we build. These are the standards that we intend to bring to the Huntsville office. By immersing ourselves in our clients’ cultures, operations, and leadership dynamics, we gain valuable insights into their vision and needs, which enables us to forge enduring partnerships that will last.” Both Smith and Casteel eagerly anticipate the challenges and opportunities ahead as they collaborate to establish the new Huntsville office as a pivotal asset within the broader Stanton Chase global community. For those with questions or comments regarding the new office or who have executive search or leadership advisory inquiries, please contact Al Smith via the information provided below. About Stanton Chase Stanton Chase is a top-ranked global executive search and leadership advisory consulting firm. For over three decades, Stanton Chase has been at the forefront of corporate leadership, providing unparalleled support to its clients. Learn more about Stanton Chase and the Huntsville office on our website. Stanton Chase Contact Name: Al Smith, Jr. Company: Stanton Chase Address: 4100 Market Street, SW; Ste. 100 Huntsville, AL 35808 Phone: (256) 665-9953 Contact Details digifora Justin Brackett +1 843-284-6594 justin@digifora.com Company Website https://digifora.com

April 02, 2024 01:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time

News Release

Shareholder Group and Gender Ideology Opponent to Press Disney on Discrimination at Company’s Annual Meeting

NLPC

National Legal and Policy Center, an investor in The Walt Disney Company, and healthcare accountability group Do No Harm, will present a shareholder proposal at the iconic media and entertainment corporation’s annual meeting on April 3. The measure asks the company to investigate its discriminatory pay and benefits policies – specifically addressing where employees affected by gender-switching advocacy have been psychologically or medically harmed, without providing remedial care – and reporting to shareholders why such compensation gaps exist at an allegedly tolerant company. Speaking at the Disney meeting in support of the proposal will be Chloe Cole, patient advocate for Do No Harm, who has testified before legislative bodies nationwide in opposition to gender ideology and its destructive health consequences. Ms. Cole will address the company’s board of directors, including beleaguered CEO Robert Iger, and tell her story about her difficulties in finding medical care and insurance coverage in her efforts to “de-transition,” after trying earlier in her life to switch from the biological sex she was born with. Ahead of the Disney meeting, NLPC released a one-minute video to highlight the shareholder proposal. The corporate and government watchdog also filed a white paper with the Securities and Exchange Commission earlier this month to more fully explain the necessity for the company to investigate its discriminatory policies. “Disney has been so proud about its 100-percent score on the Corporate Equality Index, designed by the pro-LGBTQIA+ Human Rights Campaign, which requires companies to cover sex change treatments in their health insurance offerings,” said Paul Chesser, director of NLPC’s Corporate Integrity Project. “Now we call upon Mr. Iger to lead the way for Corporate America to provide equal care for those who have suffered physical harm as a result, and who want bodily restoration. Besides the damage they have suffered, they are also discriminated against.” As NLPC points out in its shareholder proposal, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission considers failure to provide equivalent pay and benefits based on categories including “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” as discriminatory. Even the Securities and Exchange Commission agreed with NLPC that de-transitioning individuals fit under such classifications when considering unfairness in corporate compensation practices. In its opposition statement (p. 104 at link) to the proposal, Disney alleges that NLPC is just trying to “generate attention” with a “narrow focus…to advance a limited agenda.” “Disney acts as if people like me don’t exist,” said Chloe Cole. “I intend to make sure the board and Mr. Iger hear that the company’s irrational gender ideology policies are actually destructive, and that I am a victim of policies like it. De-transitioners like me are not going away. With the numbers of LGBTQIA+ workers at the company who have sought ill-advised sex changes, you can bet that litigation over deception, and discriminatory benefits policies, won’t be far behind.” You can read NLPC’s shareholder proposal at its website. Learn more about Do No Harm at its website. ### For more information or to schedule an interview with Paul Chesser, contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357 or drene@nlpc.org. Please visit http://www.nlpc.org. Founded in 1991, the National Legal and Policy Center promotes ethics in public life through research, investigation, education and legal action. Contact Details National Legal and Policy Center Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 drene@nlpc.org Company Website http://www.nlpc.org

April 01, 2024 01:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Springtime Home Renovation: Bathroom Edition

YourUpdateTV

As we gear up for spring, it's time to give our bathrooms a much-needed makeover. HGTV star and renovation expert Scott McGillivray teamed up with Bath Fitter on a satellite media tour to share tips on how bath fitter can help you achieve a beautiful, mess-free renovation in no time. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/1nbWq_lewI4 Bath Fitter provides a fast, simple way to achieve a beautiful, mess-free bathroom renovation in as little as 24 hours. Offering a variety of designs that suit every style, Bath Fitter provides a long-lasting, cost-effective alternative to traditional bathroom remodels without ever sacrificing quality, durability, or functionality. Bath Fitter custom-made, high-gloss acrylic tubs and showers are made from the same premium acrylic found in high-end spas. This superior material requires minimal maintenance and wipes clean with ease. The seamless no-grout wall system from Bath Fitter provides a watertight seal built to last a lifetime. Unlike traditional bathroom remodels, which often involve lengthy delays, messy demolition, stress, and unexpected fees, Bath Fitter eliminates renovation pain points. High-gloss acrylic tubs and showers from Bath Fitter are custom made to fit precisely over existing units, creating a sleek, permanent solution for an instant bathroom upgrade. Tub-over-tub solutions from Bath Fitter offer a sleek, cost-effective alternative to a demolition renovation, while maintaining exceptional quality and eliminating unforeseen pain points that can often come with remodeling. Whether you’re embracing Scandinavian minimalism or want to bring some contemporary English Country to your bathroom, Bath Fitter offers a range of timeless custom designs for homeowners and renters to seamlessly complement their style and aesthetic. Committed to bathrooms that will stand the test of time, Bath Fitter backs its products with a lifetime transferable warranty. Your perfect bath is out there, and Bath Fitter is here to help you every step of the way. Visit www.bathfitter.com to learn more, schedule a one-on-one consultation, and find a showroom near you. About Scott McGillivray For more than a decade, homeowners and aspiring investors have enjoyed the warmth and humor of Scott’s easygoing approach to real estate investing. As the host and executive producer of HGTV’s award-winning series Income Property, Scott made making money in real estate a reality for hundreds of hardworking homeowners across North America. Since then, through endeavors in education, public speaking and linear and digital television production, Scott has empowered countless others to take control of their finances by making smart renovation and real estate choices. Scott’s interest in diversifying his brand experience has led him to expand into a number of areas, including business. He’s CEO of McGillivray Group and McGillivray Entertainment, co-founder of real estate investing education company, Keyspire, and an accomplished real estate investor with hundreds of properties across North America. Recently, he has expanded his business real estate reach into the areas of multi-use and multi-residential development projects. Scott is also a respected influencer who engages daily with his 1M+ followers. People from across the globe have been drawn to his approachable personality, and they trust him to provide useful and financially sensible advice. He is a proud ambassador for Habitat for Humanity Canada, and enjoys teaching people from all walks of life about how they can become homeowners and use real estate to improve their lives. When he’s not on a build site, speaking in front of a sold-out audience or filming one of his many shows, you can find Scott at home in Toronto, ON spending time with his wife Sabrina and daughters, Myah and Layla. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

April 01, 2024 10:29 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Video

U.S. Ferrosilicon Producers File Petitions to Stop Unfairly Traded Imports from Russia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Brazil

U.S. Ferrosilicon Producers

CC Metals and Alloys, LLC (“CCMA”) and Ferroglobe USA, Inc. (“Ferroglobe”), representing all American ferrosilicon production, today filed petitions with the U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) and U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) alleging that unfairly priced and subsidized ferrosilicon imports from Russia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Brazil are causing material injury to U.S. industry. The antidumping and countervailing duty petitions detail unfair trade practices to sell ferrosilicon at less than fair value and allege dumping margins of up to 212%, as well as numerous subsidies. The petitions detail the extensive injury suffered by the U.S. industry and its workers, and request relief in the form of special duties on all associated imports. “The onslaught of dumped imports from these countries over the last three years has caused serious harm to the U.S. industry, its workers, and the communities in which we operate,” said Marco Levi, Chief Executive Officer of Ferroglobe PLC. “A successful outcome in these cases will allow us to get back to work on a level playing field.” “American producers can compete with anyone in the world, as long as we’re all playing by the same rules,” said Chris Cobb, CCMA’s plant manager. “Bringing these cases allows us to protect our colleagues, employees, and communities. Fortunately, our country’s trade laws are set up to support fair trade. On behalf of our employees, customers, and colleagues, we look forward to seeing those laws enforced and those who violate our laws held accountable.” The cases filed today cover all types of ferrosilicon, regardless of chemistry, grade, or physical form. After today’s filing, Commerce will initiate its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations by April 17, 2024, and the ITC is expected to make a preliminary injury determination by May 13, 2024. About the CCMA and Ferroglobe CCMA traces its roots back to 1949, when it was founded as a producer of large-volume commodity ferroalloys for the steel industry in Calvert City, Kentucky. Today CCMA is an ISO 9001 certified leading manufacturer of more than 40 different products including 18 different ferrosilicons and more than 20 different magnesium ferrosilicon inoculants, high purity, 3%-9% magnesium and proprietary alloys. CCMA ships over 100,000 metric tons of finished product annually from our manufacturing facility in Calvert City, KY via barge, rail and truck. Ferroglobe is a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Ferroglobe PLC, a world-leading producer of ferrosilicon, silicon metal, and manganese-based alloys, serving a customer base across the globe in dynamic and fast-growing end markets, such as solar, automotive, consumer products, construction and energy. Through its subsidiaries, Ferroglobe owns metallurgical manufacturing facilities and other operations in Ohio, West Virginia, South Carolina, Alabama, Indiana, Florida and Kentucky. For more information, visit https://www.ccmetals.com/ and https://www.ferroglobe.com/ Contact Details EAH Strategies, LLC Elizabeth Heaton +1 202-445-9858 elizabeth@eahstrategiesllc.com

March 28, 2024 04:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Timothy Applegate Elected as Board Chair Elect for National Contract Management Association

National Contract Management Association

The National Contract Management Association (NCMA), dedicated to advancing the contract management profession, proudly announces the appointment of Timothy Applegate as its Board Chair for Program Year 2026, that begins July 1, 2025. A retired Colonel in the United States Air Force, Mr. Applegate brings over 36 years of acquisition and contracting expertise to the role. Mr. Applegate is currently a distinguished member of the Senior Executive Service and Director of the Acquisition Management and Integration Center at Headquarters Air Combat Command (ACC), where he is responsible for overseeing a total acquisition portfolio exceeding $20 billion. A devoted member of NCMA since 1992, an NCMA Certified Professional Contract Manager™ (CPCM™) certificant, Board Member (2018- 2021 and 2023-2024), and Board Advisor (2021-2022), Mr. Applegate is a dedicated and long-standing champion of NCMA and the role it plays in the advancement of the contract management profession. "It is a privilege to serve alongside such esteemed colleagues and I look forward to working with the NCMA's dedicated members and partners,” said Mr. Applegate. Kraig Conrad, CEO of NCMA, added, "Tim's wealth of experience and expertise is truly invaluable to meet our strategic objectives. Over the past six years, he has been instrumental in fostering the growth and evolution of our association through his dedicated service. I am eager to collaborate with him to advance our Common Language Initiative and expand our partnerships to elevate the profession with international standards.” With Mr. Applegate assuming the role of Board Chair-Elect, NCMA is poised to further enhance its programs and standards, ensuring that practitioners receive unparalleled support and opportunities for professional development and certification. The entire NCMA community eagerly looks forward to the transformative leadership that Mr. Applegate will bring to the organization. The National Contract Management Association (NCMA) – www.ncmahq.org – has grown as a professional society whose mission is to collaborate towards a globally recognized contract management profession that strengthens its nexus with related acquisition communities. Serving approximately 20,000 members in both the public and private sectors, NCMA propels the growth, advancement, and impact of practitioners through a steadfast commitment to serve through the open exchange of ideas in neutral forums. Contact Details National Contract Management Assocation Holly DeHesa +1 281-865-3296 holly.dehesa@ncmahq.org Company Website https://www.ncmahq.org

March 26, 2024 06:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Adin Avertising Technology Announces AI-Based Approach to Digital Media Planning - Adin.Ai

Spark Metro PR

In an era marked by challenges in transparency and efficiency, Adin.Ai disrupts the traditional media planning sector by emerging as a beacon of innovation, transforming the landscape of media planning through its AI-based advertising intelligence platform. With unparalleled precision and strategy, Adin.Ai revolutionizes planning processes across TV and digital platforms. The Visionary Team Behind Adin.Ai's Success At the helm of Adin.Ai's ground-breaking platform is an esteemed team of industry pioneers, led by the renowned entrepreneur Serhat Gurcu, a five-time honoree on the Fortune 40 Under 40 list. Partnering with Gurcu is Prof. Altan Cakır, a luminary in data science and artificial intelligence. Together with other esteemed founding partners, including visionary 2 CTOs, a PhD holder, a rising star female co-founder in media, and another female co-founder who is one of the Fast Company Female Founders for 3 years in a row, Adin.Ai stands poised at the forefront of the industry. Innovative Technology Drives Enhanced Transparency Adin.Ai's integration of AI and blockchain technology ensures an unprecedented level of transactional transparency. Through Adin.trust, each transaction is securely recorded, instilling advertisers with the confidence needed to invest in their media planning strategies. Industry Recognition and Collaborative Ventures Fast Company's recognition of Adin.Ai on both its Most Innovative Companies and Startup 100 lists underscores the company's impact. Additionally, AWS lauds Adin.Ai's proactive adoption of emerging cloud and AI technologies, particularly its utilization of generative AI, a testament to Adin.Ai's commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements. The collaboration between Adin.Ai and AWS engineers has resulted in a unique amalgamation of different AWS modules, harmoniously working together to enhance Adin.Ai's capabilities. With AWS's validation of its technology and an upcoming collaboration with KPMG, Adin.Ai is primed to further its influence on global media transparency. Stellar Financial Performance Foreshadows Success In its Proof of Concept (POC) year, Adin.Ai generated an impressive revenue of 300K USD, setting a robust foundation for its future endeavors. Subsequently, in its first official year, the company achieved an Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) of 2.4M USD, alongside a Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) of 200K USD. Notably, 70% of this revenue was generated in Turkey, a testament to Adin.Ai's resilience amid currency fluctuations. Additionally, the company reported 11 M USD Billings in its first year, indicating strong growth and market demand for its innovative solutions. Explosive Growth in Competitive Markets Adin.Ai's strategic focus on expansion across Europe and the UK has yielded exceptional results, with a staggering 700% growth compared to the previous year. This exponential growth underscores Adin.Ai's strong business model and the burgeoning demand for innovative AI solutions in media planning. Rapid Expansion and Global Ambitions With its remarkable revenue achievements and unprecedented growth rate, Adin.Ai is poised to emerge as the preeminent interface for advertisers worldwide. The company's sights are set on further expansion and solidifying its status as a USA-established company, with Istanbul serving as the operational hub for the Europe, UK, and EMEA region, and London as the headquarters for Europe. This strategic positioning, coupled with global acclaim, sets new benchmarks for excellence in the industry. Adin.Ai is strategically positioned to shape the future of advertising, where AI-based decisions redefine the landscape. Client Success Stories Adin.Ai's transformative impact is evident through the success stories of its clients. A FINTECH company from Spain achieved a remarkable 30% reduction in Cost Per Acquisition, while the largest private bank in Turkey witnessed a substantial 70% increase in Viewability. Additionally, a fashion company from the UK experienced a significant 64% boost in Return on Ad Spend (ROAS), and a gaming company from the Netherlands successfully mitigated display ad fraud by 52%. These results underscore Adin.Ai's commitment to driving tangible outcomes for its clients across diverse industries. Adin.Ai as the AI-Based Digital Advertising Platform for Enterprise Advertisers: Maximize Ad Return up to 5X; Minimize Effort up to 100X. With Adin.Ai, advertisers gain access to a cutting-edge platform that maximizes ad returns up to 5 times while minimizing effort up to 100 times. Our revolutionary AI-driven approach to digital media planning empowers advertisers to achieve unparalleled success in their campaigns. For further insights into Adin.Ai's journey and services, visit www.adin.ai Founders of the Company: Serhat Gürcü: LinkedIn Profile Prof. Altan Çakır: LinkedIn Profile Selin Ergin: LinkedIn Profile Halil Faruk Deniz: LinkedIn Profile Özgün Akın: LinkedIn Profile Seden Gürcü: LinkedIn Profile SOURCE: Adin.Ai Contact Details Adin.ai Seden Gurcu +90 533 476 96 49 Seden@adin.ai Company Website https://adin.ai/

March 26, 2024 11:08 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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NAVEX 2024 Global Incident Management Benchmark Study Reveals Significant Third-Party Reporting to Companies

NAVEX Global

NAVEX, the global leader in integrated risk and compliance management software, has released its 2024 Whistleblowing & Incident Management Benchmark Report. The annual benchmark report offers valuable insights into workplace culture, analyzing trends from 1.86 million global reports spanning thousands of organizations that together employ more than 50 million employees. Amid a record number of tips to the SEC and a burgeoning DOJ whistleblowing program, NAVEX’s comprehensive analysis sheds a critical light on the state of workplace environments worldwide, guiding organizations toward program improvement. "NAVEX remains the gold standard in risk and compliance data analytics, continually innovating our benchmarks to enhance corporate compliance programs and offer business leaders insights into the trending risk areas for their organizations," says NAVEX Chief Risk and Compliance Officer Carrie Penman. "This year's report introduces crucial third-party reporting insights, highlighting an organization’s need to adopt internal and external reporting avenues to bolster integrity, foster accountability and equip the organization to tackle emerging challenges effectively.” This year’s analysis of the data revealed several key themes and notable findings, including: Report volume and case substantiation reach milestones. Internal reporting programs saw a record level of use as measured by NAVEX’s Reports per 100 Employees metric. In addition, the Substantiation Rate metric reached an all-time high, meaning more reports were received and more were found to be true. Report volume, and the substantiation rates of the reports received, are two of the most highly watched metrics in the annual NAVEX publication. To see both reach the highest levels ever is good news. For those with trusted and effective internal reporting programs, this added up to greater visibility into the trends of risk, ethics and culture playing out in their organizations’ operations – real-time intelligence to inform business decision-making. In 2023, organizations received a median 1.57 Reports per 100 Employees across their internal reporting systems, exceeding the previous record of 1.47 set in 2022. More organizations (23%) received five or more Reports per 100 Employees, making this population the largest in the NAVEX data set. And while year-over-year values fluctuated, every size of organization – from the smallest companies to enterprises with over 100,000 employees – has seen report volumes rise comparing 2021 and 2023. At 45%, the overall median share of substantiated or founded reports in 2023 reached an 11-year high. Third parties more likely to report business integrity and financial misconduct issues. In a first for this report, NAVEX analyzed its database by both employees and third-party reporters. Its analysis shows these two groups are distinct across several metrics, highlighting the insight organizations see by promoting their reporting programs internally and externally. Third parties as a group delivered a far greater median share of reports related to Business Integrity matters than employees in 2023 (50% versus 17%). Encompassing topics like conflicts of interest, vendor issues, fraud, global trade and human rights, this category of issues can manifest in various elements of a supply chain. Third-party reporters also showed twice the median share of Accounting, Auditing & Financial Reporting reports as employees in 2023 (10% versus 4.5%). Story emerging on accounting-related reporting – internally and externally. Accounting-related reports -- while lower in overall percentage of reports received internally by organizations at a median of 4.3.% in 2023 -- often receive an outsized share of attention due to potential for regulatory action and the well-publicized bounty program offered by the SEC and its Office of the Whistleblower. The SEC's program is witnessing unprecedented growth in tips and generously rewarding valuable information. Now, the U.S. Department of Justice is launching a similar initiative. Specifically, reports related to Accounting, Auditing, and Financial reporting: Showed the longest time between when an incident was observed and when it was reported to the organization By a large margin, were least likely to be reported anonymously Comprised an outsized share of cases for organizations that receive very few Reports per 100 Employees – meaning while these organizations received well below the benchmark number of reports, they had a much more significant percentage of accounting-related reports Experienced the longest time to investigate and close the case Had among the highest median Substantiation Rates, at 50% Were most likely to cause an employment separation event as a result of a substantiated case Accounted for twice as many of the reports submitted by third parties than those submitted by employees Small increase in report volume shows big payoff in healthy report mix. A diverse array of topics, inquiries, and allegations in internal reporting indicates a robust program. NAVEX’s findings reveal that even minor efforts to promote internal reporting significantly improve the mix of report types received. For instance, in organizations with the lowest report volume, only 8.7% of reports pertain to HR, Diversity, and Workplace Respect. However, in the next tier, this proportion jumps to 36.3%. This trend persists across different report volumes, emphasizing the importance of fostering a reporting culture. A varied mix of report types signifies trust in internal reporting to address a broad spectrum of issues. Even a slight increase from minimal reporting yields a more comprehensive and insightful flow of reports. "With NAVEX's integrated data platform, companies gain unparalleled risk signal data that empowers them to foster healthier workplace cultures, helping them achieve outcomes that matter most,” explains NAVEX Chief Product Officer A.G. Lambert. "Data isn't just numbers; it's the compass guiding organizations toward success and ensuring they stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of risk and compliance." Additional notable findings include: Workplace behaviors and discord were clearly visible in the data as more organizations return to office environments. As is always the case in these reports, workplace behaviors and other human resources related matters are by far the highest percentage of reports received by organizations. Workplace Civility matters continued to increase in prominence in 2023, representing a median of 18% of reports and the highest median reporting rate in 2023. This was followed by Discrimination, at a median 12%, Harassment, at a median 7.1%, then Retaliation at a median of 2.0%. The HR, Diversity and Workplace Respect category overall has seen a multi-year increase in its median share of all reports (from 50% in 2021 to 55% in 2023). These figures underscore the growing importance of fostering a respectful and inclusive work environment. Highlighting the seriousness with which organizations are taking reports received, more substantiated reports (18%) resulted in separation from employment in 2023, up significantly from 14% in 2022 and 12% in 2021. The share of reports resulting in no action – effectively the opposite end of the outcome spectrum – fell from 17% in 2022 to 14% in 2023. Nearly nine out of 10 reports of Imminent Threat to a Person, Animals or Property were substantiated in 2023 highlighting the importance that reporters possess the training, knowledge, tools and trust that promote rapid reporting of dangerous issues. This need is made even greater by a new California workplace violence prevention law expected to take effect this year that includes requirements for reporting, incident management and training around this issue. For more insights on the 2024 Whistleblowing & Incident Management Benchmark Report, join Jane Norberg, Arnold & Porter partner and former chief of the SEC Office of the Whistleblower, Keith Thomas, FedEx corporate integrity & compliance lead counsel, Carrie Penman, NAVEX chief risk & compliance officer, and Anders Olsen, NAVEX senior data scientist, for an informative webinar where they will discuss the results of this year’s analysis in detail. Watch the webinar here. NAVEX is trusted by thousands of customers worldwide to help them achieve the business outcomes that matter most. As the global leader in integrated risk and compliance management software and services, we deliver solutions through the NAVEX One platform, the industry’s most comprehensive governance, risk and compliance (GRC) information system. For more information, visit NAVEX.com and our blog. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Contact Details Navex Global scott.levesque@navex.com Company Website https://navex.com

March 26, 2024 06:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

The Surety and Fidelity Association of America (SFAA) Names Ryan C. Work President & CEO

SFAA

The Surety & Fidelity Association of America’s (SFAA) board of directors is pleased to announce that, after an extensive search, Ryan C. Work has been named the trade association’s next President & CEO. “With Ryan’s in-depth trade association management experience and background in developing and managing strategic outreach and policy programs before Congress, the Administration, and various federal and state regulatory agencies, the board is confident in his ability to lead the association successfully,” said Robert Murray, SFAA Board Chairman and Head of Surety, Zurich. “His hands-on experience will allow him to quickly engage on issues impacting the future of the surety and fidelity industry, particularly with key legislative, regulatory and procurement leaders,” continued Murray. Before joining SFAA, Ryan was Senior Vice President of Government Relations at the Self-Insurance Institute of America (SIIA), where he led advocacy and political activities on self-insurance, stop-loss, and captive insurance issues. Prior to SIIA, Ryan was Senior Director of Government and Regulatory Policy for S&P Global, representing brands including Standard & Poor’s, Platts, J.D. Power, and BusinessWeek. Ryan has served in several senior staff positions within the U.S. Congress, including as Legislative Director for Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA), current Chair of the House Energy & Commerce Committee. He previously served as Chief of Staff to Rep. Katherine Harris (FL) and in various staff roles with the U.S. House Committee on Ways & Means and the Office of the Speaker of the House. “I am honored to be named President and CEO and working to advance SFAA’s value to our members, expanding our advocacy efforts, and building a strong team in support of maintaining SFAA’s reputation as one of the most influential insurance legislative organizations in the states and Washington D.C.,” said Ryan. “I look forward to collaborating with the SFAA Board, Executive Committee, membership and staff to enlist support for issues and programs critical to the industry's success,” added Ryan. Ryan resides in Alexandria, VA and is a graduate of Penn State University. The Surety & Fidelity Association of America (SFAA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan trade association representing all surety and fidelity industry segments. We promote the value of surety and fidelity bonding and its vital protections through advocacy, outreach, promotion, and education. The more than 425 member companies write 98 percent of surety and fidelity bonds in the U.S. SFAA is licensed as a rating or advisory organization in all states, and state insurance departments have designated it as a statistical agent for the reporting of fidelity and surety experience. www.surety.org Contact Details Peter Roth +1 703-401-0676 proth@surety.org Company Website https://surety.org/

March 25, 2024 09:35 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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