UK Public Sector Contracts & Tenders

The purpose of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to serve the public interest by setting high standards of corporate governance, reporting and audit and by holding to account those responsible for delivering them. The aim of this project is to engage a specialist for the provision of pension consulting and advisory services. We are seeking Pensions Consulting and Advisory Services to support the FRC in relation to our obligation to administer the Pension Scheme, to maintain and/or enhance the Staff Benefit pension proposition and to encourage future financial wellbeing. Further details are available in the attached Invitation to Tender (ITT) and associated documents. To apply, please see the Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the scope of the project requirements and application details. You should submit one proposal (using the provided Tender response document) addressing how you meet / propose to meet the FRC's requirements. Additional information: Notes:- • Download and review the documents; • Observe the timelines and tender process • Register your interest in this opportunity by email to procurement@frc.org.uk • You will need to register your interest in this opportunity to receive the Q&A responses. The FRC reserves the right to • extend the contract by an additional 12 month • to seek additional Services under the contract whilst capping the aggregated contract spend to no more than £170,000

The purpose of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to serve the public interest by setting high standards of corporate governance, reporting and audit and by holding to account those responsible for delivering them. Delivering on our purpose will bring a variety of benefits. Improved outcomes, created by each of our regulatory activities are shown in the circle; each of which can positively reinforce others in the circle and contribute to overall benefits for a wide range of stakeholders such as greater transparency, increased trust in UK markets and a lower cost of capital for companies. Our direct stakeholders include companies, institutional investors, auditors, actuaries, accountants and their respective professional bodies. Our indirect stakeholders include retail shareholders, suppliers, employees, customers, communities, pensioners and savers, and financial institutions, all of whom have an interest in the health of companies and other organisations within our existing and future regulatory scope and in the success of the UK corporate sector as a whole. The FRC has a requirement for the development of content for the FRC's XBRL taxonomies relating to the implementation of IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts. This is to facilitate the mandatory requirement of full digital tagging of any standards to HMRC. To fulfil the requirement for the development of content for the FRC's XBRL taxonomies relating to the implementation of IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts the FRC are seeking to engage specialist input. Please see attached ITT for further information. Additional information: Notes:- • Download and review the documents; • Observe the timelines and tender process • Register your interest in this opportunity by email to procurement@frc.org.uk • You will need to register your interest in this opportunity to receive the Q&A responses. The FRC reserves the right to • extend the contract by an additional 12 month • to seek additional Services of the same nature under the contract (whilst capping the aggregated contract spend to no more than £165,000)

The purpose of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to serve the public interest by setting high standards of corporate governance, reporting and audit and by holding to account those responsible for delivering them. Delivering on our purpose will bring a variety of benefits. Improved outcomes, created by each of our regulatory activities are shown in the circle; each of which can positively reinforce others in the circle and contribute to overall benefits for a wide range of stakeholders such as greater transparency, increased trust in UK markets and a lower cost of capital for companies. Our direct stakeholders include companies, institutional investors, auditors, actuaries, accountants and their respective professional bodies. Our indirect stakeholders include retail shareholders, suppliers, employees, customers, communities, pensioners and savers, and financial institutions, all of whom have an interest in the health of companies and other organisations within our existing and future regulatory scope and in the success of the UK corporate sector as a whole. In 2020 the FRC set up it's first ever Framework Agreement for the provision of Agency Recruitment Services. We are now seeking to refresh our recruitment services framework agreement. We are seeking to appoint and work with Recruitment Agencies for our permanent and fixed terms recruitment (and occasional interim requirements). Those Agencies must understand our branding and values and be committed to drive high standards with our resourcing alongside being committed to diversity and inclusion Agency should understand that FRC operates in the public sector and is committed to the attainment of value for money (and minimizing risk). Our supply partners should understand and share that commitment. FRC operates skills-based job family. These job families are: • Actuarial • Audit & Accountancy • Legal • Forensic Accountants • "All Jobs" (roles that fall outside the scope of the above, for example Human Resources, Information Technology and Governance).

The purpose of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to serve the public interest by setting high standards of corporate governance, reporting and audit and by holding to account those responsible for delivering them. Delivering on our purpose will bring a variety of benefits. Improved outcomes, created by each of our regulatory activities are shown in the circle; each of which can positively reinforce others in the circle and contribute to overall benefits for a wide range of stakeholders such as greater transparency, increased trust in UK markets and a lower cost of capital for companies. Our direct stakeholders include companies, institutional investors, auditors, actuaries, accountants and their respective professional bodies. Our indirect stakeholders include retail shareholders, suppliers, employees, customers, communities, pensioners and savers, and financial institutions, all of whom have an interest in the health of companies and other organisations within our existing and future regulatory scope and in the success of the UK corporate sector as a whole. In 2020 the FRC set up it's first ever Framework Agreement for the provision of Agency Recruitment Services. We are now seeking to refresh our recruitment services framework agreement. We are seeking to appoint and work with Recruitment Agencies for our permanent and fixed terms recruitment (and occasional interim requirements). Those Agencies must understand our branding and values and be committed to drive high standards with our resourcing alongside being committed to diversity and inclusion Agency should understand that FRC operates in the public sector and is committed to the attainment of value for money (and minimizing risk). Our supply partners should understand and share that commitment. FRC operates skills-based job family. These job families are: • Actuarial • Audit & Accountancy • Legal • Forensic Accountants • "All Jobs" (roles that fall outside the scope of the above, for example Human Resources, Information Technology and Governance). WE HAVE CREATED A FIND A TENDER ADVERTISEMENT - Publication reference: 2022/S 000-010775 Additional information: Notes:- • Download and review the documents; • Observe the timelines and tender process • Register your interest in this opportunity by email to procurement@frc.org.uk • You will need to register your interest in this opportunity to receive the Q&A responses. This activity relates to the Find a Tender Contract notice Notice reference: 2022/S 000-010775

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) regulates auditors, accountants and actuaries and sets the UK's Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes. We seek to promote transparency and integrity in business; our work is aimed at investors and others who rely on company accounts, audit, and high-quality risk management. A high-quality audit provides investors and other stakeholders with a high level of assurance that the financial statements of an entity give a true and fair view of its performance and financial position, and provide a reliable and trustworthy basis for taking decisions. All companies in the UK are required, under the Companies Act, to have their annual accounts audited externally, unless exempt. There are many firms in the UK that can carry out these statutory audits. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is commissioning research to enhance understanding of firm entry, growth and exit in the PIE and non-PIE audit markets. The research should generate insights that will help inform the FRC's future work and regulatory approaches and support the FRC's objective to create a more resilient audit market through greater competition and choice. The project will be comprised of two parts: A. PIE audit market B. Non-PIE audit market The purpose of the project is to support the FRC in its objective to 'create a more resilient audit market through greater competition and choice'. The research will generate insights into the PIE and non-PIE audit markets to help inform the FRC's future work and regulatory approaches. The overall objective of the research is to enhance understanding of firm entry, growth and exit in the PIE and non-PIE audit markets. • The objective of Part A is to better understand the appetite of audit and non-audit firms to enter, or expand their presence in, the PIE audit market. This will include understanding any barriers they face in achieving this, and what action(s) may lower these barriers. • The objective of Part B is to better understand the economics of audit firms in the non-PIE audit market, as well as what has driven the decline in the number of such firms over the last five years. The research in Part B should also produce an analysis of the implications of the declining number of firms, whether positive or negative, for choice, competition and audit quality. Please see attached for further information. Additional information: Notes:- • Download and review the documents; • Observe the timelines and tender process • Register your interest in this opportunity by email to procurement@frc.org.uk • You will need to register your interest in this opportunity to receive the Q&A responses.

The purpose of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to serve the public interest by setting high standards of corporate governance, reporting and audit and by holding to account those responsible for delivering them. BACKGROUND The FRC is a public body, and a partner body of BEIS. Although funded by member and levy contributions, not by the taxpayer, the FRC is subject to public sector requirements and engages closely with other regulators and public bodies. The UK Stewardship Code is a voluntary code for asset managers (investment managers), asset owners and service providers (such as proxy advisers, investment consultants and data providers). The Stewardship Code promotes the responsible allocation, management and oversight of capital to create long-term value for clients and beneficiaries leading to sustainable benefits for the economy, the environment and society. We also monitor and take action to promote the quality of corporate reporting and operate independent enforcement arrangements for accountants and actuaries. PROJECT & PURPOSE Following the UK's exit from the EU and UK auditors' loss of automatic statutory audit rights, the FRC (as competent authority responsible for approving third country qualifications) is seeking to secure several mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) with key countries around the world. Via a process of engagement with a number of countries we have identified some priorities and have focused, in particular, on the qualifications of accountancy professional bodies in Australia and New Zealand with the intention of reaching MRAs with the authorities in Australia and New Zealand later this calendar year. We are currently reviewing the audit qualifications of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and CPA Australia (CPAA) relevant to the approval of their qualifications by the FRC as approved third country qualifications under section 1221 Companies Act 2006. Although Australia and New Zealand are likely to be the earliest MRAs that we are able to achieve, we are seeking an Independent Expert able to assist subsequently in assessing the qualifications of other countries with whom MRAs are agreed. OUR REQUIREMENT To appoint an independent expert to review the evidence we have identified, the conclusions we have drawn and report on the equivalence of the CAANZ, CPAA and audit qualifications granted by UK recognized qualifying bodies. This authoritative report will state whether in the opinion of the author the audit qualifications granted in Australia and New Zealand are comparable to UK qualifications. The report will be carried out with full academic rigour and will be impartial. Accordingly, it will provide assurance to the FRC Board, the accounting profession and government as to the equivalence of the qualifications concerned. FURTHER DETAILS - Please refer to the ITT. Additional information: Notes: - * Download and review the documents * Observe the timelines and tender process * Register your interest in this opportunity by email to procurement@frc.org.uk * You will need to register your interest in this opportunity to receive the Q&A responses. * Spend under this notice will be capped at £170,000. * The FRC reserves the right to award a reserve place to the second highest scoring supplier if the volume of assessments of qualifications required exceeds expectation or the capacity of an individual independent expert.

The purpose of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to serve the public interest by setting high standards of corporate governance, reporting and audit and by holding to account those responsible for delivering them. Each year the FRC assesses a sample of FTSE350 annual reports to examine the quality of reporting against the UK Corporate Governance Code. An important element of the assessment is the extent to which companies comply with the provisions of the Corporate Governance Code, and where they do not, the quality of their explanations. The 'comply or explain' nature of the Corporate Governance Code allows companies to adjust their approach to governance as appropriate for their business model and individual circumstances. Therefore, in some cases, non-compliance or partial compliance with the Corporate Governance Code is the right approach for a company. The FRC is also responsible for the UK Stewardship Code which sets out the Principles of good investment stewardship. Investors are asked to disclose which third parties they use to support their stewardship activities, the services provided and how they are monitored and held to account. In particular, the Stewardship Code requires signatories to state the extent to which they use the default recommendations of proxy advisors. The aim of this research project is to examine how investors' stewardship and behaviour is affected by those recommendations and ratings. This includes understanding where, and in what circumstances, engagement takes place among companies, investors, and proxy advisors/ESG ratings agencies. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES The objective of this research project is to answer several questions: A. What are the impacts of recommendations/ratings given by proxy voting/ESG ratings agencies on FTSE350 companies' behaviour and reporting, and investor voting decisions? This should include the impact on governance policies and practices, and on so-called "tick box" behaviour. B. What have been the processes and outcomes of engagement over the last two years among FTSE350 companies, investors, and proxy voting/ESG ratings agencies? We are particularly interested in three types of bilateral engagement: i. Between FTSE350 companies and proxy voting/ESG ratings agencies on recommendations/ratings given by the latter. ii. Between investors and proxy voting/ESG ratings agencies on recommendations/ratings given by the latter. iii. Between investors and FTSE350 companies on recommendations/ratings given by proxy voting/ESG ratings agencies. In answering this question, we would also like the appointed research team to quantify the frequency of such engagements over the last two years. C. What are the barriers to effective engagement between the parties as set out above? The purpose of this research project is to inform future policy work by the FRC or other agencies. FURTHER DETAILS The full details are available in the attached Invitation to Tender (ITT) document. Additional information: Notes:- • Download and review the documents; • Observe the timelines and tender process • Register your interest in this opportunity by email to procurement@frc.org.uk • You will need to register your interest in this opportunity to receive the Q&A responses.

The purpose of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to serve the public interest by setting high standards of corporate governance, reporting and audit and by holding to account those responsible for delivering them. In February 2021, the FRC published the revised Operational Separation Objectives, Outcomes and Principles (the 'Principles'). Through Operational Separation, we intend to: i) Improve audit quality by ensuring that people in the audit practice are focused above all on delivery of high-quality audits in the public interest. ii) Improve audit market resilience by ensuring that no material, structural cross-subsidy persists between the audit practice and the rest of the firm. The revised principles for operational separation of the audit practices have voluntarily been adopted by the largest four audit firms in the UK. The objective of operational separation is to ensure that audit practices are focused above all on delivery of high-quality audits in the public interest, and to improve audit market resilience by ensuring that there is no subsidy between the audit practice and the other service lines. Through the principles the FRC limits the scope of service that can be delivered by firms' audit practices mainly to undertaking statutory audits and related work. However, to deliver on a statutory audit especially for large and complex audited entities, the audit practice will need expertise which may not necessarily be located within the audit practice but may have to be borrowed from the other service lines in the firm for example: actuaries, valuers, IT specialists etc. In accordance with the Principles, we would expect the firms to charge these expert resources at arms' length prices (similarly if auditors work on engagements/ projects in other service lines then they would also need to be charged at an arm's length price). This will ensure that there is no subsidy between the audit practice and the other parts of the firm, and thus that audits are priced to reflect the economic reality. The aim of this project is to engage an Expert Reviewer on transfer pricing, who will review the four largest audit firm's transfer pricing methodologies and policies for operational separation. The transfer pricing expert should undertake a design effectiveness review of the transfer pricing methodology and policies used by the four largest audit firms in implementing the Operational Separation Principle on arm's length pricing. The report should detail: 1. For each firm, the appropriateness of and the risks and issues arising from the firms' methodologies and policies for transfer pricing. 2. A comparison between the firms' arm's length pricing methodologies and policies to form a view as to whether, overall, there is a level playing field, given the firms' differences in approach. 3. An opinion on whether there is any potential for improvement, and related recommendations. See attached Invitation to Tender (ITT) document. Additional information: Notes:- • Download and review the documents; • Observe the timelines and tender process • Register your interest in this opportunity by email to procurement@frc.org.uk • You will need to register your interest in this opportunity to receive the Q&A responses.

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) regulates auditors, accountants and actuaries and sets the UK's Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes. We seek to promote transparency and integrity in business; our work is aimed at investors and others who rely on company accounts, audit, and high-quality risk management. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) is growing in actuarial modelling. The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA), the UK's professional association for actuaries, has been encouraging education and training in these techniques among its members and recently launched a data science certification The objective of this research is to learn more about the role of AI/ML in UK actuarial modelling practices across pensions, life insurance, general insurance, and wider fields (e.g., banking and investment). It will also compare the extent of AI/ML deployment by the actuarial profession with that of other similar professions. The overall purpose of the research is to improve our understanding of new risks that AI/ML might bring to the quality of actuarial work. To do this, the research will address the following four areas of enquiry: 1. Areas of use: Which actuarial departments are involved in using AI and ML techniques in their work? 2. Approach: What approach(es) and technique(s) are used? How are they selected? 3. Governance: What is the governance process around the use of AI and ML techniques as compared to the governance process around the more traditional techniques? 4. Output: How do the areas of use, approach and governance of AI and ML impact on a. the way outputs are used internally by a company, and b. the uncertainty around the actuarial modelling results using AI/ML, as compared to the uncertainty around results from the more traditional approaches? FURTHER INFORMATION Full details are available in the attached Invitation to Tender (ITT) document. Additional information: Notes: - • Download and review the documents • Observe the timelines and tender process • Register your interest in this opportunity by email to procurement@frc.org.uk • You will need to register your interest in this opportunity to receive the Q&A responses.

The purpose of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to serve the public interest by setting high standards of corporate governance, reporting and audit and by holding to account those responsible for delivering them. The FRC is committed to • Supporting the creation of a new regulator, the Audit, Reporting and Governance Authority (ARGA), into a high performing new robust and independent regulator, acting in the public interest and provide increased confidence in the UK market. Protecting and improving audit and reporting quality. • Making company reporting fit for the future. • Supporting the creation of the audit of the future • Ensuring that the world-leading UK Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes make the UK a great place to do business, helping support Covid-19 recovery and UK prosperity. This project relates to our requirement for an agency offering an integrated approach to strategic communications and public affairs with extensive experience in helping public interest bodies with engagement programmes with all of its stakeholders to improve/influence perceptions. FURTHER DETAILS Full details are available in the attached Invitation to Tender (ITT) document.

The purpose of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to serve the public interest by setting high standards of corporate governance, reporting and audit and by holding to account those responsible for delivering them. The FRC is committed to • Supporting the creation of a new regulator, the Audit, Reporting and Governance Authority (ARGA), into a high performing new robust and independent regulator, acting in the public interest and provide increased confidence in the UK market. Protecting and improving audit and reporting quality. • Making company reporting fit for the future. • Supporting the creation of the audit of the future • Ensuring that the world-leading UK Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes make the UK a great place to do business, helping support Covid-19 recovery and UK prosperity. This project relates to our requirement for an agency offering an integrated approach to strategic communications and public affairs with extensive experience in helping public interest bodies with engagement programmes with all of its stakeholders to improve/influence perceptions. The Agency should :- • Be experienced in supporting organisations undertaking extensive change programmes as the FRC transitions into a new regulator ARGA, including with internal communications • Provide creative approaches to creating content for a range of audiences through a number of traditional communication and digital channels and platforms • Have strong experience in supporting financial services organisations both in the corporate and regulatory world in times of public and government scrutiny/regulatory change • Have expertise in navigating government departments and parliamentary groups including developing briefings for offices and Select Committees and measuring influence • Have demonstrable experience in designing and supporting communications campaigns targeted at business, professional services and/or government • Possess the ability to provide media training and committee appearance practice for senior staff • Possess excellent written skills to summarise key research and findings into easily digestible collateral, and design thinking to recommend where infographics/visual content will have greater impact • Provide insights and market knowledge to suggest and promote thought leadership opportunities for the FRC. • Provide stakeholder mapping of UK media, regulatory and political landscapes and monitoring/measurement of stakeholder perceptions of the activities and influence of the FRC and our communications FURTHER DETAILS Full details are available in the attached Invitation to Tender (ITT) document. Additional information: Notes:- • Download and review the documents; • Observe the timelines and tender process • Register your interest in this opportunity by email to procurement@frc.org.uk • You will need to register your interest in this opportunity to receive the Q&A responses.

ABOUT THE FRC The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) regulates auditors, accountants, and actuaries; and sets the UK's Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes. We seek to promote transparency and integrity in business; our work is aimed at investors and others who rely on company accounts, audit, and high-quality risk management. As the Competent Authority for audit in the UK, the FRC sets auditing and ethical standards, and monitors and enforces audit quality. The FRC will be transformed into a new regulator: the Audit, Reporting and Governance Authority (ARGA) in the future, following three independent reviews and recommendations, and the Government's 2021 consultation "Restoring trust in audit and corporate governance" and the Government's response to that consultation. ABOUT THE RESEARCH PROJECT The aim of this research project is to further our understanding of how innovation and competition interact in the market for audit services. The FRC's strategic objectives for 2022-25 include promoting improvements and innovation in the areas for which we are responsible and creating a more resilient audit market through greater competition and choice. The outputs of this research project will inform the FRC's work to drive up audit quality and improve the functioning of the audit market. We envisage that some of the outputs that will be delivered by this research project (included but not limited to): - A short literature and (secondary) evidence review. This should include: • a summary of any research on the links between innovation and competition in the audit market. For this research project we are concerned predominantly with the audit market for FTSE 350 companies but would also be interested in innovation-competition dynamics in any other parts of the audit market for UK Public Interest Entities (PIEs) or in audit markets elsewhere in the world. • a summary of the latest research, both empirical and theoretical, on the interaction between innovation and competition at a more general level. This does not necessarily need to be audit specific providing findings could be of relevance to the audit market. • a summary of the available (secondary) evidence on innovations in audit since the previous work by the Competition Commission referenced above. - Informed by the literature review and the evidence identified above, a short discussion paper with questions for discussion at the workshop (see below) with relevant innovation and competition experts. - A small-scale structured (online) workshop with relevant innovation and competition experts from academia and other institutions such as think tanks and regulators (including the FRC). - A short, written report. FURTHER DETAILS Full details are available in the attached Invitation to Tender (ITT) document. Additional information: Notes:- • Download and review the documents; • Observe the timelines and tender process • Register your interest in this opportunity by email to procurement@frc.org.uk • You will need to register your interest in this opportunity to receive the Q&A responses.

BACKGROUND The purpose of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to serve the public interest by setting high standards of corporate governance, reporting and audit and by holding to account those responsible for delivering them. Delivering on our purpose will bring a variety of benefits. Improved outcomes, created by each of our regulatory activities are shown in the circle; each of which can positively reinforce others in the circle and contribute to overall benefits for a wide range of stakeholders such as greater transparency, increased trust in UK markets and a lower cost of capital for companies. Our direct stakeholders include companies, institutional investors, auditors, actuaries, accountants and their respective professional bodies. The FRC typically conducts an annual staff survey. The employee satisfaction survey is a tool used to measure, quantify and analyse the degree to which employees within the FRC are satisfied with their roles and working environments. Staff surveys are used to identify and understand the status of employees with regards to their motivation, commitment, performance, and other key areas such as leadership, diversity and inclusion as well as their personal and professional development. THE REQUIREMENT The requirement is to engage a supplier for a three (3) year contract to administer the FRC staff survey(s). The focus is the annual survey however there may be also be a requirement for pulse surveys. NOTE Full details are available in the attached Invitation to Tender (ITT) document. Additional information: Notes:- • Download and review the documents; • Observe the timelines and tender process • Register your interest in this opportunity by email to procurement@frc.org.uk • There will not be a standstill period for this procurement. • The FRC reserves the right to extend the Agreement.

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) regulates auditors, accountants and actuaries and sets the UK's Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes. We seek to promote transparency and integrity in business; our work is aimed at investors and others who rely on company accounts, audit, and high-quality risk management. The FRC is encouraging listed companies to increase the level of diversity in their UK operations. Companies need to consider how diversity and inclusion are relevant to the specific circumstances of their business, the markets they operate in, the workforce upon which they rely and the customers and communities they serve. The FRC aims to maintain high standards and guidance in actuarial work to protect the public interest from the risks arising from actuarial work. In addition to its own promoting of high standards of equality, diversity, and inclusion among our regulated community, the FRC is interested in gathering evidence specifically on the extent of, and reasons for, gender imbalance among Scheme Actuaries (for Pension Schemes) and Chief Actuaries (for Insurers). The objectives of this research project are to: A. Gather and assess primary evidence on the reasons for gender imbalances among senior actuaries (Scheme Actuaries for Pension Schemes, and Chief Actuaries for Insurers). B. Assess the barriers/disincentives for women to progress towards senior actuarial positions. Are there consistent themes to such barriers? At what point(s) in a person's career path do the identified barriers tend to be most often experienced? C. Identify (and document) cases where good practice has facilitated women's progression to senior positions in the actuarial profession We anticipate the information needed to meet the objectives outlined above will best be gathered using interviews and focus groups. However, bidders may suggest alternative engagement formats, approaches and innovations if beneficial. The engagements would be driven by an interview/topic guide developed by the contractor's research team, working closely with the FRC's subject matter experts, as well as any other expertise the contractor can offer (please specify in your proposal). Bidders should provide examples of potential topics and questions in their proposals. These should be of sufficient breadth and depth to demonstrate the research team's knowledge of the relevant issues, as well as their ability to apply this effectively in the specified engagement formats. The FRC recognises that, due to the subject matter, participants may wish to remain anonymous. The research contractor will need to assure participants of the confidentiality of any information they disclose and that it will only be used in anonymised form. PLEASE SEE THE TENDER DOCUMENT FOR FULL DETAILS. Additional information: Notes:- • Download and review the documents • Observe the timelines and tender process • Register your interest in this opportunity by email to procurement@frc.org.uk • You will need to register your interest to receive the Q&A document.

INTRODUCTION The Financial Reporting Council sets the UK Corporate Governance and UK Stewardship Codes; sets UK standards for accounting and actuarial work; monitors and takes action to promote the quality of corporate reporting; and operates independent enforcement arrangements for accountants and actuaries. As the competent authority for audit in the UK the FRC sets auditing and ethical standards and monitors and enforces audit quality. The FRC works in the public interest. Our work is aimed at investors and others who rely on company reports, audit and high-quality risk management. BACKGROUND In June 2018 the UK Government introduced The Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018 (hereafter 'the Regulations'). These require all companies of a significant size, that were not already required to provide a corporate governance statement, to disclose their corporate governance arrangements. The Wates Corporate Governance Principles for Large Private Companies (hereafter 'the Wates Principles') were published by the FRC in December 2018. They provide a framework to help companies meet the legal requirements of the Regulations and to promote companies' long-term success. The Wates Principles encourage companies to adopt a set of core behaviours to secure trust and confidence among stakeholders and to benefit the economy and society in general. In 2020 the FRC contracted an independent external research team to provide an assessment of private companies' reporting on corporate governance in their 2019 annual reports. The research report was published in February 2022. We would like this new research project to now examine a sample of more recent private company reports and produce a comparison with the findings of the February 2022 research report. This will be done using the same principle-by-principle coding scheme . In addition we would like the new research to build on the previous principle-by-principle research by also assessing each company's governance disclosure as a whole. PROJECT OBJECTIVES The project will consider companies' reports with year-end dates from 1 June 2021 to 31 May 2022 . It will answer the following research questions: A) Of companies that were within scope of the Regulations for their reporting year-ending in the above range, which of them provided a Corporate Governance Statement to Companies House? B) Taking a representative sample of companies that chose to apply the Wates Principles, what was the quality of their disclosures on a principle-by-principle basis? C) Taking a (potentially smaller) representative sample of companies that chose to apply the Wates Principles, what was the quality of their governance reporting when read as a whole? The above is a summary only. PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED INVITATION TO TENDER (ITT) FOR FULL DETAILS. Additional information: Notes:- • Download and review the documents • Observe the timelines and tender process • Register your interest in this opportunity by email to procurement@frc.org.uk • You will need to register your interest to receive the Q&A document.

The UK Financial Reporting Council (FRC) are undertaking this procurement on behalf of the UK Endorsement Board (UKEB). The UKEB influences, endorses and adopts new or amended international accounting standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) for use by UK companies. The UKEB consults publicly with stakeholders that have an interest in financial reporting in the UK so that it can develop and represent evidence-based UK views with the aim of acting as the UK voice on IFRS financial reporting. The UKEB are conducting this Research Project: ex-ante economic impact assessment of IASB Exposure Draft 2021/1 Regulatory Assets and Regulatory Liabilities. The objective of the (proposed) contract is to assist the staff of the UK Endorsement Board in its ex-ante impact analysis of IASB Exposure Draft (ED) 2021/1 Regulatory Assets and Regulatory Liabilities (as subsequently amended and updated through ongoing IASB board deliberations up to the start date of the study) by supporting the UKEB Secretariat with economic expertise in specified areas. This will serve as an input to the assessment of whether the use of this ED is likely to have an adverse impact on the economy of the UK, including on economic growth. PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED ITT FOR FULL DETAILS Additional information: Notes:- • Download and review the documents; • Observe the timelines and tender process • Register your interest in this opportunity by email to procurement@frc.org.uk • You will need to register your interest in this opportunity to receive the Q&A responses.

The purpose of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to serve the public interest by setting high standards of corporate governance, reporting and audit and by holding to account those responsible for delivering them. Delivering on our purpose will bring a variety of benefits. Improved outcomes, created by each of our regulatory activities are shown in the circle; each of which can positively reinforce others in the circle and contribute to overall benefits for a wide range of stakeholders such as greater transparency, increased trust in UK markets and a lower cost of capital for companies. Our direct stakeholders include companies, institutional investors, auditors, actuaries, accountants and their respective professional bodies. Our indirect stakeholders include retail shareholders, suppliers, employees, customers, communities, pensioners and savers, and financial institutions, all of whom have an interest in the health of companies and other organisations within our existing and future regulatory scope and in the success of the UK corporate sector as a whole. THIS PROCUREMENT Since 2020 we have made great strides in creating an iconic brand that reflects our growing remit and responsibility as an effective regulator. In addition to creating high quality documents on an ongoing basis, we do intend to evolve further, looking for ways to innovate our existing content methods to improve them. Examples include exploring new layouts to make content more digestible, aligning better with accessibility standards, considering interactive PDF's or animation and so forth. We are keen to partner with an organisation that can help us take these next steps. Our requirement is to work with a quality focused external agency for our Design & Publication Services, and benefit from better practice industry knowledge and specialist expertise in designing assets and documents while supporting us with proof reading/content editing. The ideal organisation will provide stage-appropriate guidance on design-related matters. The services that we will require are grouped below: • Design and typesetting • Brand development • Guidelines support • Language services • Advisory PLEASE SEE THE TENDER DOCUMENT FOR FULL DETAILS. This Contract Notice has also been published on Contract Finder which contains the attachments etc - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/18bc7819-a9b4-4252-b57a-f56e1e0bc3d1

The purpose of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to serve the public interest by setting high standards of corporate governance, reporting and audit and by holding to account those responsible for delivering them. Delivering on our purpose will bring a variety of benefits. Improved outcomes, created by each of our regulatory activities are shown in the circle; each of which can positively reinforce others in the circle and contribute to overall benefits for a wide range of stakeholders such as greater transparency, increased trust in UK markets and a lower cost of capital for companies. Our direct stakeholders include companies, institutional investors, auditors, actuaries, accountants and their respective professional bodies. Our indirect stakeholders include retail shareholders, suppliers, employees, customers, communities, pensioners and savers, and financial institutions, all of whom have an interest in the health of companies and other organisations within our existing and future regulatory scope and in the success of the UK corporate sector as a whole. THIS PROCUREMENT Since 2020 we have made great strides in creating an iconic brand that reflects our growing remit and responsibility as an effective regulator. In addition to creating high quality documents on an ongoing basis, we do intend to evolve further, looking for ways to innovate our existing content methods to improve them. Examples include exploring new layouts to make content more digestible, aligning better with accessibility standards, considering interactive PDF's or animation and so forth. We are keen to partner with an organisation that can help us take these next steps. Our requirement is to work with a quality focused external agency for our Design & Publication Services, and benefit from better practice industry knowledge and specialist expertise in designing assets and documents while supporting us with proof reading/content editing. The ideal organisation will provide stage-appropriate guidance on design-related matters. The services that we will require are grouped below: • Design and typesetting • Brand development • Guidelines support • Language services • Advisory PLEASE SEE THE TENDER DOCUMENT FOR FULL DETAILS. This Contract Notice has also been published on Find a Tender. Additional information: Notes:- • Download and review the documents • Observe the timelines and tender process • Register your interest in this opportunity by email to procurement@frc.org.uk • You will need to register your interest to receive the Q&A document. • This is a three year contract (with the option to extend for a further one year).

The purpose of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to serve the public interest by setting high standards of corporate governance, reporting and audit and by holding to account those responsible for delivering them. Delivering on our purpose will bring a variety of benefits. Improved outcomes, created by each of our regulatory activities are shown in the circle (below); each of which can positively reinforce others in the circle and contribute to overall benefits for a wide range of stakeholders such as greater transparency, increased trust in UK markets and a lower cost of capital for companies. Our direct stakeholders include companies, institutional investors, auditors, actuaries, accountants and their respective professional bodies. Our indirect stakeholders include retail shareholders, suppliers, employees, customers, communities, pensioners and savers, and financial institutions, all of whom have an interest in the health of companies and other organisations within our existing and future regulatory scope and in the success of the UK corporate sector as a whole. We are seeking Stakeholder engagement support and services.

The purpose of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to serve the public interest by setting high standards of corporate governance, reporting and audit and by holding to account those responsible for delivering them. Delivering on our purpose will bring a variety of benefits. Improved outcomes, created by each of our regulatory activities are shown in the circle (below); each of which can positively reinforce others in the circle and contribute to overall benefits for a wide range of stakeholders such as greater transparency, increased trust in UK markets and a lower cost of capital for companies. Our direct stakeholders include companies, institutional investors, auditors, actuaries, accountants and their respective professional bodies. Our indirect stakeholders include retail shareholders, suppliers, employees, customers, communities, pensioners and savers, and financial institutions, all of whom have an interest in the health of companies and other organisations within our existing and future regulatory scope and in the success of the UK corporate sector as a whole. Project Requirements • An agency offering Stakeholder engagement support and services with extensive experience in helping public interest bodies. • Experience in supporting organisations undertaking extensive change programmes as the FRC transitions into a new regulator ARGA. • Creative approaches to creating content for a range of audiences on a number of highly technical policy areas • Strong experience in supporting financial services organisations both in the corporate and regulatory world in times of public and government scrutiny/regulatory change • Excellent written skills to summarise key research and findings into easily digestible collateral, and design thinking to recommend where infographics/visual content will have greater impact • Provide insights and market knowledge to suggest and promote thought leadership opportunities for the FRC • Stakeholder mapping of UK and international regulatory and political landscapes and monitoring/measurement of stakeholder perceptions of the activities and influence of the FRC and identifying areas for enhancement and improvement PLEASE SEE TENDER DOCUMENTS FOR FULL DETAILS. This Contract Notice has also been published on Find a Tender. Additional information: Notes:- • Download and review the documents • Observe the timelines and tender process • Register your interest in this opportunity by email to procurement@frc.org.uk • You will need to register your interest to receive the Q&A document. • This is a two year contract (with the option to extend for a further two years).