QCA Membership
Case Studies
Christie Group Plc: Over 30 Years of Partnership with the QCA
Sector: Professional Services
Member Since: 1993
About Christie Group Plc
Christie Group Plc has been providing specialist professional services for more than 125 years. Today, the Group supports businesses across the healthcare, hospitality, leisure, retail, childcare and education sectors through a range of services including business valuations, brokerage, finance and insurance, as well as market-leading stocktaking and inventory solutions.
With a long-standing commitment to ethical business practices and sustainable growth, strong corporate governance remains central to the company’s success.
Finding the right network
Christie Group has been a member of the Quoted Companies Alliance since 1993. While CEO Dan Prickett joined the business in 2007, he has worked closely with the QCA throughout his career with Christie Group, serving as CFO, COO and now CEO.
For Dan, the reason the company has remained a member for more than three decades is clear.
”The QCA was seen as more appropriate for us than some of the other governance frameworks or support networks. It provided a lighter-touch but entirely appropriate corporate governance regime for a company of our size.
Dan PrickettCEO
As one of the early companies to join AIM, Christie Group recognised the importance of having a governance framework that was both proportionate and respected by investors.
Practical support that makes a difference
While Christie Group has attended a wide range of QCA events over the years—including governance workshops, webinars, director events, fund manager programmes and policy roundtables—the greatest value comes from the day-to-day guidance the organisation provides.
“The main thing that has really been the most useful for us is the corporate governance guidance and support,” says Dan.
“We actively lean on, refer to and rely on the QCA around governance, making sure we’re on the right side of where we need to be.”
For Christie Group, governance is not simply about compliance—it’s about having confidence that the company is operating in a way that is appropriate for its size while meeting the expectations of investors and regulators.
“If it’s in the QCA Code, we know it’s going to be respected by investors. It strikes the right balance for businesses of our size.”
A Trusted Resource Throughout Leadership
Having served on Christie Group’s Board since 2010, Dan has seen first-hand how the business has evolved its governance framework, including strengthening board independence and refining its leadership structure.
Throughout that journey, the QCA has remained a trusted source of expertise.
“We wouldn’t be able to do our corporate governance compliance and knowledge to the level we do without having something we can refer to and lean on. In that sense, the QCA has always served us well.”
The practical, plain-English guidance provided by the QCA has helped Christie Group navigate governance requirements with confidence while maintaining a framework that is proportionate, effective and valuable for the business.
More than governance
Although governance remains the primary reason Christie Group values its membership, Dan also highlights the quality of the QCA’s wider programme of events and policy engagement.
Whether attending discussions with fund managers, policymakers or fellow listed companies, he believes the opportunities to hear different perspectives and engage directly with decision-makers are invaluable.
”"Every event I've attended has been first class. They're thought-provoking, you make contacts and you get access to fund managers, MPs and other people you probably wouldn't otherwise meet."
Dan also values the QCA’s role as a collective voice for smaller quoted companies.
”The QCA gives listed businesses the opportunity to engage directly with legislators, regulators, investors and fund managers. That dialogue is incredibly important.
Looking ahead
As UK listed companies continue to face evolving regulation and market challenges, Dan believes the QCA’s advocacy role is more important than ever.
He sees continued representation of smaller quoted companies with government, regulators and investors as essential to ensuring regulation remains proportionate and that public markets continue to support business growth.
Advice to Other Listed Companies
For companies considering membership, Dan’s recommendation is straightforward.
”The governance support alone makes membership worthwhile.
He encourages organisations not only to make use of the governance resources, but also to take advantage of the wider programme of events and networking opportunities.
”The QCA helps businesses find a governance framework that's the right size, practical and respected. It's an organisation that genuinely understands the needs of smaller listed companies.