What are the fiduciary duties of a limited company director?

Fiduciary duty for directors of limited companies

The corporate structure that legally separates a company from its directors also obliges directors to fulfil a range of fiduciary duties. These requirements safeguard those associated with the business, from shareholders and employees to customers and the public in general.

Fiduciary duties are owed by all directors, including shadow and de-facto directors who aren’t registered with Companies House. Directors of a company can take on a variety of roles within their business, and even non-executive directors must comply with the legislation surrounding fiduciary duty.

In the past there have been cases where the power and authority bestowed by the office of director has been deliberately misused, so what are your fiduciary duties and the potential consequences of failing to fulfil them?

What are a company director’s fiduciary duties?

Duty to act in the best interests of the company

This duty involves acting with the success of the company as a whole in mind - considerations would include, but are not limited to:

• Your company’s reputation
• The effect of your decisions on employees
• The long-term effects on the company
• Treating shareholders equally, regardless of their shareholding

Duty to act within your powers

The company’s Articles of Association lay out the powers held by directors, with the overarching premise being that these powers are used for the good of the company rather than for individuals. Your powers as a director may also be specified within resolutions and other constitutional agreements entered into by the company.

Duty to avoid conflicts of interest

A conflict of interest might be ‘transactional’ – where you have a personal interest in an ongoing transaction or agreement, or an arrangement that the company is about to enter into. ‘Situational’ conflicts of interest can also occur – for example, if you’re also a director of a competitor business. You also have a duty not to accept benefits from third parties.

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Duty to exercise independent judgement

You must make decisions with consideration to all company members, rather than being unduly influenced by individuals or groups of shareholders, for instance.

Duty to exercise reasonable skill, care, and diligence

You must act with the skill, care, and diligence that can be reasonably expected from you given your training and past experience.

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Ramifications of failing in your fiduciary duties

If you’ve breached your fiduciary duties as a director there are various potential outcomes:

Removal from office

If sufficient numbers of shareholders vote in favour, you might be removed from office pending an investigation. Your company’s constitution will determine how this procedure takes place, and provides guidance for this form of action.

Interim injunction

If a director is deliberately causing harm to the company – perhaps by damaging its reputation – an application to the court can be made for an interim injunction, with the purpose of stopping the harmful behaviour.

Compensation

The company as an entity, or an individual who has suffered financial loss due to a breach of fiduciary duty, could pursue you through the courts. This places your assets at risk, including your home if you’re ultimately made bankrupt.

Reversal of transactions

The company, another director, or a shareholder, could apply to the court to have a transaction set aside or restored – if it transpires that a conflict of interest existed at the time of the transaction, for example.

Director fiduciary duty is underpinned by trust and confidence between the directors, their company, and its stakeholders. It’s vital to understand your duties as a director, as failing to fulfil them leaves you open to serious sanctions and penalties.