As we approach the season of goodwill to all (wo)mankind, our thoughts often turn to those less fortunate than ourselves, and how we might achieve a better world with what we have to share. It’s a tradition that stretches well back before the iconic 1843 Dickens novella “A Christmas Carol“. In many ways, socially responsible […]
Read MoreIt hardly comes as a surprise that two in five UK plcs find that proxy analysts have a so-called “negative influence” on the relationship between companies and their investors (Financial Times: “Proxy agencies fail to tick boxes” July 1, 2013) However, Sir John Parker appears to misunderstand the role of governance analysts. As the Investment […]
Read MoreThe update of the corporate governance code for French listed companies published this month by AFEP/MEDEF has raised some telling questions about the governance of governance across the channel. Viewed against a backdrop of an agressive campaign on the part of French issuers seemingly aimed at censuring proxy research providers, the arrangements for the enforcement of the new code are […]
Read MoreThe Swiss Federal Council recently published their “Proposal for an Ordinance against abusive remuneration practices” in response to the successful popular referendum on what has been dubbed the “Minder Initiative”. It is the first formal consultation stage ahead of the tabling of a formal legislative proposal, timetabled for November, in time for a January 1st 2014 implementation date. The […]
Read MoreOptimising the Means and Ends of Good Governance Manifest is proud to sponsor the 4th Cambridge International Regulation and Governance Conference on September 6th, at Queens College, Cambridge. In a timely intervention given recent consultations at national and supra-national level on both sides of the Atlantic touching on stewardship processes, the conference will address regulatory responses to aspects of the […]
Read MoreManifest’s friends GES invite you to their London 20th anniversary seminar and new website. GES celebrates its 20th anniversary by hosting a high-profile seminar in London exploring the future for Responsible Investment. At the same time, GES launches a redesigned website. Under the title “What works in ESG Engagement?”, GES has invited a number of […]
Read MoreIf 2008 was the year of crisis and 2009 the year of survival and steadying the ship, 2010 was the year of longer-term policy response. If one word stands out more than any other from the policy debates of last year, it is “Stewardship”. The word has so many aspects to its meaning, making it […]
Read MoreThe South African Times has reported that a ‘group of stakeholders within the investor community have with the assistance of The Institute of Directors in Southern Africa (IoDSA) convened a committee for the drafting of a code for responsible shareholder investing’. The new Code is expected to supplement the existing King III Corporate Governance Code […]
Read MoreTomorrow’s Company has announced an investigation into the ownership of companies and how it is changing. Hermes Equity Ownership Services will be supporting the study which will be examining: Future ownership trends; Key trends and their meaning for companies; and The impact of trends on companies ability to develop and grow. Speaking at the launch […]
Read MoreUNPRI’s Board has this week issued an eight point action plan calling for more investment in active ownership and oversight. In an open admission that investors have had a role to play in current difficulties, Donald MacDonald, Chair of the PRI Initiative and a Trustee of the BT Pension Scheme called for PRI signatories to “lead […]
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