All-Party Parliamentary Corporate Governance Group (APPCGG)

Background

The All-Party Parliamentary Corporate Governance Group (APPCGG) was formed in 2004.¹ Its stated purpose of the was “to develop and increase understanding of corporate governance through the promotion of a culture based on responsible leadership and investments” in order to “enhance prosperity for the benefit of shareholders, economies and society.”¹ As of May 2024 the chair and registered contact was Richard Fuller MP.²

Subsequently the organisation was no longer listed on the UK parliament register of All-Party Parliamentary Groups.³

Relationship with the Tobacco Industry

The APPCGG had a history of accepting money from British American Tobacco (BAT).

It received GB£5,000 from BAT in 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2021, and GB£5,250 in 2023.⁴

On its website the APPCGG stated that sponsors were actively involved in meetings, such as working breakfasts and evening seminars, where “key issues and agenda items are debated by members of the Group and leading figures from both government and business”.¹ Financial support also helps the APPCGG in “commissioning research and reports on areas of major interest on governance issues.”¹

Affiliations

Other APPCGG sponsors include professional services firms with longstanding relationships with the tobacco industry.

Deloitte made multiple donations, including in 2020 (two donations of GB£10,000 each),⁵ 2022 (GB£10,000)⁶ and 2023 (GB£10,000).⁷

PricewaterhouseCoopers also made a financial contribution to the APPCGG in 2018 (GB£7,000).⁸

[NB This group is different from the All-Party Parliamentary Corporate Responsibility Group (APCRG) which has tobacco companies as affiliated members.]

Relevant Link

All-Party Parliamentary Corporate Governance Group (APPCGG) website [archived 21 September 2024]