selskabsledelse

Selskabsledelse, or corporate governance, describes how a company is directed and controlled. It covers the distribution of rights and responsibilities among shareholders, the board of directors and management, and the processes and controls that ensure accountability, long-term value creation, and responsible behavior toward stakeholders.

The board of directors (bestyrelse) is elected by the shareholders and is responsible for strategic oversight, risk management, financial reporting, and the appointment and supervision of the CEO. Executive management (ledelsen) handles the day-to-day operations in line with the board’s strategy. The general meeting is the highest authority, where shareholders exercise rights such as voting on major matters and electing directors.

In Denmark, the Danish Corporate Governance Code (Anbefalinger for god selskabsledelse) applies primarily to listed companies on a comply-or-explain basis, and is complemented by the Companies Act (selskabsloven) and accounting rules. Companies typically publish governance reports outlining conformity with the code and key practices.

Core principles include accountability, transparency, and fairness toward shareholders and other stakeholders, as well as robust risk management, internal controls, and clear remuneration policies. External auditors review financial reporting, and many organizations use committees (such as audit, remuneration, and nomination committees) to support the board, especially in larger firms. Increasing emphasis is placed on sustainability, ethics, and stakeholder engagement as integral elements of governance.