Activism Archives

CtW urges shareholders a vote against Catepillar’s directors

CtW Investment Group, the US corporate governance adviser to trade union pension funds (Taft Hartley funds), has suggested that investors should vote against the re-election of three of Caterpillar’s directors and in favour of a shareholder resolution proposing that …

USS calls on AkzoNobel to engage with PPG over its bid

UK pension fund, Universities Superannuation Scheme, (USS) has called on the Dutch paintmaker AkzoNobel to engage constructively with its US rival PPG which has recently submitted a third bid for the company, AkzoNobel said it will consider the …

RBS refuses to back down on shareholder committee resolution

The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has refused to back down on a decision not to allow a shareholder resolution, calling on the bank to establish a shareholder committee.

The resolution, to be proposed at RBS’ AGM later this …

UK Church Investors Group warn on CEO pay

The Church Investors Group (CIG) has written to all FTSE 350 company secretaries outlining its revised voting policy for 2017 which includes a tough stance on executive pay. The CIG brings together the major church-based institutional investors and with their …

USA: Investor Stewardship Group launches Codes

The US has moved a step closer to a national stewardship and governance code with the launch of the Investor Stewardship Group. The signatories and supporters of the $17 trillion group are now urging all institutional investors to join …

Wells Fargo’s Stumpf resigns as shareholders re-state demand for reforms

John Stumpf, the chairman and chief Executive (CEO) of troubled US bank Wells Fargo, has quit following admissions of fraudulent activities, including the opening of customer accounts without permission. Stumpf’s replacement as CEO is Tim Sloan, the company’s president …

Sports Direct governance changes – too little or too early to tell?

Retailer Sports Direct chief executive Dave Forsey has resigned to be replaced by Mike Ashley, founder of the company, its major shareholder and previously executive deputy chairman. No reason for his departure has been given but the resignation follows months …

Sports Direct takes action to respond to criticisms of working practices and corporate governance

Major institutional investors were among those criticising retailer Sports Direct at its AGM this week and showed their disquiet about the company through their votes. The majority of independent shareholders voted against the re-election of the chairman Keith Hellawell …

RI guidance for DC pension schemes attracts widespread welcome

The UK’s Pension Regulator’s new code of practice for occupational trust-based defined-contribution (DC) pension schemes and the publication of six ‘how to’ guides to give comprehensive guidance to trustees has been warmly welcomed by a number of responsible investment groups.

US business leaders call for backing of “common sense corporate governance principles”

A group of 13 US and Canadian fund managers, pension funds and company bosses have taken the unprecedented step of endorsing a set of corporate governance principles in a bid to quell rising unease and conflict around US governance standards.…