Corporate annual meetings – normally staid affairs – could be more dramatic next year thanks to two developments: the universal proxy ballot and the growing clout of retail shareholders. Both factors will put a premium on effective communication by companies and boards. Last week, the SEC approved a new rule requiring companies to use a universal proxy […]
Like spring blossoms, corporate proxy statements will start to arrive in the coming weeks. They are likely to reflect both the extraordinary events of 2020 and the continuation of trends that have been gathering momentum in recent years. Boards face a big challenge to address these issues effectively, and the quality of their communication will […]
Can a public company have a phantom director and refuse to answer questions about it? Lululemon Athletica thinks so. But will it prompt big investors to take a tougher stand on director elections?
Vanguard and Blackrock, two of the world’s largest fund managers, recently warned corporate boards to expect tougher scrutiny on governance issues during this year’s proxy balloting. Growling like this can be an effective communication strategy, up to a point.