Understand proponents, investors and your company’s ESG profile to ensure your board is equipped to respond
We are amidst a dynamic time with respect to investor support of environmental and socially oriented shareholder proposals, addressing wide-ranging topics such as: emissions reductions targets, pollution, diversity, equity and inclusion, climate transition reporting, political spending, human rights — and the list continues to grow.
In this rapidly evolving landscape, historic voting decisions alone are no longer a clear predictor of future outcomes. Understanding how to respond to shareholder proposals requires holistic evaluation and thorough understanding of the proponent, your investors, and your company’s ESG profile to determine likely voting outcomes and potential paths to settlement. Even if your company seems at low risk for shareholder proposals, it’s important to maintain awareness of the current landscape and how it translates into investors’ evolving expectations, particularly as ESG considerations are increasingly influencing director election determinations.
Expanding and evolving investor expectations
Attention on environmental and social shareholder proposals in the U.S. has increased dramatically. More proponents, including those opposed to ESG, are utilizing the shareholder proposal process. These results indicate that investors’ heightened focus on ESG risks and opportunities, in conjunction with accompanying revisions to proxy voting guidelines, is having a meaningful impact on voting decisions.
It is critical for companies to pay close attention to emerging themes in their region as well as their industry to ensure their ESG strategy is firmly aligned with the evolving investor focus.
Georgeson’s experienced advisors will support you throughout the year, working to mitigate the effects of any unexpected situations. Leverage our decades of experience in understanding how proxy advisors and institutional investors think and act in varying situations — and learn how to counteract any negative developments.
The 2023 U.S. proxy season produced unprecedented volume, toping nearly 1000 shareholder proposals submitted throughout the season.
Georgeson’s ESG advisory team will support management and the board by delivering:
Research into industry trends and topic-specific considerations to inform how to address the proponent and broader shareholders
Guidance on engaging with proponents and investors to ensure messages are delivered clearly to key decisionmakers
Support in understanding how institutional investors will respond to a proposal
Overview or deep-dive of current company practices as compared to investor-favored frameworks and standards
Help drafting targeted correspondence and disclosures in response to proposals
Assistance in engaging with proxy advisory firms
Advice on response to negative recommendations or non-exempt solicitation (“vote no”) campaigns
Comprehensive shareholder composition analysis to help map out how general policies will impact your company and clarify strategic options available given your particular profile
Don’t get caught unprepared
Let the experts at Georgeson guide you to confidently handle any shareholder proposal. Contact us today to learn more.