In response to a letter from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), we are announcing an independent review of our current corporate governance structure, to be benchmarked against established best practice corporate governance standards. 

This review is a result of continued concerns, raised again at our AGM in May 2008, that the organisation has the right balance of skills and experience on its board, free from any conflicts that may interfere with the exercise of independent judgement and united in its commitment to act in the best interests of the company and its stakeholders. 

These concerns have most recently been expressed by BERR in discussions with us. In particular, BERR has written to us and, whilst praising the work we have performed to date, it has asked specific questions regarding best practice corporate governance relating to our constitution and board structure and the promotion and protection of wider stakeholder interests. 

Our concerns have further increased following a series of governance issues that have been brought to the board's attention.  These issues, which include conflicts of interest, demand immediate and proactive action. 

We will publish the recommendations of the corporate governance review, once completed, for consideration by the board and our membership.

Bob Gilbert, Nominet Chairman states: “We pride ourselves on our commitment to the highest possible standards and an ever-present desire to build an organisation that serves the best interests of industry stakeholders our members and customers. We’ve been actively looking to enhance corporate governance in line with best practice for some time now. Our recent discussions with BERR have bought this desire to the fore once more and we feel that a rigorous, independent review will help us to achieve compliance with best practice efficiently and effectively."

A copy of the letter from BERR can be found here.