IN his letter on directors and accountability (South China Morning Post, May 8), John Brewer, chief executive of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries, talks of 'specialist in-house skills needed to temper their [directors'] business acumen and performance objectives with compliance needs'.

This seems to imply that compliance and business objectives are somehow at loggerheads. If this attitude prevails, it reflects poorly on Hong Kong's business ethics.

Surely the preferred view should be that compliance is a tool to help business reach its objectives? Compliance should be considered a positive force which complements commercial skills. Compliance with prudent regulations should help to avoid losses and increase profits.