Taking you through the top shareholder activism and corporate governance stories from Insightia's suite of products, as well as interviews with industry experts.
Beyond the Boardroom is coming to an end and this is the last episode. Diligent will still be running The Corporate Director Podcast where you can still expect to hear the familiar voices from Diligent Market Intelligence sharing key findings from our special reports and research. All episodes will remain on your feed wherever you get your podcasts.
Kieran Poole and the team count down the top five wildest campaigns of the year so far as featured in our Proxy Season Review 2023. Who will take top spot? Who will get silver? Who will miss out on a podium place? Listen now and then enjoy a more comprehensive analysis in the report.
As a special bonus episode, Kieran Poole is joined by Steve Balet of Strategic Governance Advisors and Diligent Marketing Insight's Jason Booth to look back at one of the most significant activist campaigns this century... Carl Icahn at Apple. Hear how Icahn began the trend of using Twitter as an activist tool, whether his tactics have changed since, and even why he turned his hand at stand-up comedy.
Kieran Poole is joined by Olshan Frome Wolosky's Ryan Nebel and Elizabeth Gonzalez-Sussman, as well as Diligent Market Insight's Rebecca Sherratt to discuss our Proxy Season Review 2023. Ryan and Elizabeth are vice-chairs of the law firm's shareholder activism group.Among the top findings: Activists refocus on financials: The number of capital structure, return cash to shareholder, and operational demands increased by 39.3%, 25.9%, and 17.4% globally, compared to a year prior, with activists keen to maximize investor returns amid depressed markets. ESG suffers a crisis of confidence: Amid increasingly vocal anti-ESG sentiment, support for ESG proposals has been decidedly mixed. Globally, nine (2.4%) E&S shareholder proposals won majority support, compared to 36 (10.1%) in the first half of 2022. Directors are subject to increased scrutiny: In the first half of 2023, shareholder support for global director elections has declined to 95.6%, compared to 96.4% and 96.1% throughout 2021 and 2022, respectively. Look out for our countdown of the wildest campaigns which will appear in your podcast feed soon.
Simon Rawson of ShareAction joins Kieran Poole to discuss why the firm is urging major European banks to end the direct financing of new oil and gas fields by the end of 2023, being the first group to file a Living Wage resolution, and his time serving as a British diplomat. Plus, he tells us why we should all be watching Schitt's Creek.
Jonathan Litt of Land & Buildings joins Kieran Poole to discuss the impact on real estate investing from the return to office trend, U.S. banks and their commercial real estate loans, and being the first activist to go all the way to a vote under the new universal proxy rules. Plus, he tells us why aboard a plane is the best place to watch a film. Make sure to get your free copy of our latest report, ESG 2023.
Kieran Poole is joined by Insightia's Rebecca Sherratt, Antoinette Giblin, and Will Arnot to review some of the most notable proxy fights to have drawn to a close in the past few weeks. Make sure to get your free copy of our latest report, ESG 2023.
Kieran Poole is joined by Jon Solorzano of Vinson & Elkins and Rodolfo Araujo of EY as well as Insightia's Rebecca Sherratt to discuss our latest report, ESG 2023. Jon advises companies and their boards on ESG issues, sustainability, activism, risk management, securities law, and M&A. Whereas, at EY, Rodolfo leads the ESG strategy and investor engagement efforts. Among the top findings: Scope 3 reporting goes global: Emissions-intensive sectors face sustained pressure to enhance their net-zero commitments, with climate change shareholder proposals winning 32.4% and 36.7% average support in the U.S. energy and aerospace/defense sectors, respectively, in the first five months of 2023. Pressure mounts on issuers to enhance ESG disclosure: Although average support for E&S shareholder proposals appeared to fall over the last two years, the number that passed remains elevated and more ESG requests are being withdrawn for agreements. 26 E&S proposals won majority support at S&P 500 companies in 2022, compared to 17 and 30 in 2020 and 2021, respectively. ESG activism out of favor with hedge funds: Rising inflation has placed ESG activism on the backburner for traditional activist hedge funds. 27 activist campaigns launched by primary- or partial-focus activists have featured environmental and/or social demands in the first five months of 2023, compared to 43 in the same period a year prior. Join the conversation about the report using the hashtag #InsightiaESG on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Mathew Saur of the law firm Woolery & Co joins Kieran Poole to discuss how rising interest rates and market volatility could lead to M&A and capital allocation activism seeing a significant shake-up in 2023. Make sure to get your free copy of our latest report, Corporate Governance in Europe 2023.
Kieran Poole is joined by Insightia's Rebecca Sherratt, Antoinette Giblin, and Miles Rogerson to pick the most important stories of the month that you need to know about. On the agenda are Hindenburg Research versus Icahn Enterprises, Shake Shack's vulnerability to activism, and executive pay in Europe. Make sure to also subscribe to Diligent's The Corporate Director Podcast.
Kieran Poole is joined by White & Case's Tom Matthews and Sonica Tolani as well as Insightia's Rebecca Sherratt to discuss Corporate Governance in Europe 2023. Tom heads up the firm's European shareholder activism practice, while Sonica is a specialist in public company M&A, ECM, and shareholder activism. Among the top findings: Emissions reporting takes centrestage: CSRD has ushered in a new era of ESG accountability, mandating European issuers with upwards of 250 employees annually report on sustainability policies and targets, including their Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, starting in 2025. The cost-of-living crisis drives investor revolts: FTSE 350 executive pay hit record highs in 2022, with total CEO realized pay averaging 3.03 million pounds ($3.76m), compared to 2.1 million and 2.6 million pounds in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Activists push for sales amid depressed stock valuations: Activist intentions have shifted from blocking deals to demanding the sale of long undervalued companies, at a time when interest rates and inflation are limiting other growth options. Fifteen companies faced demands for a sale and/or acquisition of a third-party last year, an increase from 13 in 2021, while the number of companies facing opposition to M&A transactions fell to 15 in 2022, from 29 in 2021. Join the conversation about the report using the hashtag #InsightiaEurope23 on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Kieran Poole is joined by Insightia's Rebecca Sherratt, Antoinette Giblin, and Will Arnot to pick the most important stories of the month that you need to know about.On the agenda are Carl Icahn's campaign at Illumina, boomerang CEOs, and Talos Energy's vulnerability to activism. Make sure to also subscribe to Diligent's The Corporate Director Podcast.
Edgar Hernandez of The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) joins Kieran Poole to discuss taking on the likes of Coca-Cola, Netflix, and Amazon. Edgar is assistant director of its department of strategic initiatives and has been at the firm since 2007.
Kieran Poole is joined by First Advisers Executive Director Victoria Geddes as well as Insightia's Rebecca Sherratt to discuss Corporate Governance in Australia 2023. Join the conversation about the report using the hashtag #InsightiaAustralia23 on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Kieran Poole is joined by Insightia's Rebecca Sherratt, Antoinette Giblin, and Joe Lyons to pick the most important stories of the month that you need to know about. On the agenda is a short report targeting digital payment company Block, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink's annual letter to CEOs and investors, and recent activism in Israel. Make sure to get your free copy of Corporate Governance in Asia 2023.
Bluebell Capital Partners co-founder Giuseppe Bivona joins Kieran Poole to discuss its current proxy fight at BlackRock, its success at Richemont, and how it owes its name to a child. Plus, Insightia's Josh Black pops by to tell us about his London Marathon progress. You can follow and sponsor him here.
Kieran Poole is joined by Kekst CNC's Jochen Legewie and Minako Otani as well as Insightia's Rebecca Sherratt to discuss Corporate Governance in Asia 2023. Jochen serves as its Japan head and chairman in Asia advising Japanese and multinational firms on complex positioning mandates. Minako primarily focuses on corporate and financial communications for multinational companies. Join the conversation about the report using the hashtag #InsightiaAsia23 on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Kieran Poole is joined by Insightia's Rebecca Sherratt and Antoinette Giblin for a brand new episode format. Together, they pick the most important stories of the month that you need to know about. Look out for "news in brief" episodes at the start of every month and make sure to get your free copy of The Shareholder Activism Annual Review 2023. Plus, get your Early Bird tickets for Diligent's Modern Governance Summit in September.
Diligent CEO Brian Stafford joins Kieran Poole to discuss the challenges faced this year, how activists are viewed by directors, and the future of modern governance. Plus, we answer the age-old question: Does pineapple belong on a pizza? Diligent acquired Insightia back in January 2022. Make sure to get your free copy of The Shareholder Activism Annual Review 2023.
Kieran Poole is joined by Olshan Frome Wolosky's Ryan Nebel and Elizabeth Gonzalez-Sussman, as well as Insightia's Rebecca Sherratt to discuss The Shareholder Activism Annual Review 2023. Ryan and Elizabeth are members of the firm's activist and equity investment practice focusing on shareholder activism, proxy contests, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance. Elizabeth also heads Olshan's ESG activist investing practice.Join the conversation about the report using the hashtag #SAAR23 on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Paul Rissman of Rights CoLab joins Kieran Poole to discuss if the anti-ESG movement could significantly hinder investors in going green or whether it is simply a temporary bump in the road. He also tells us all about his previous life as an archaeologist digging up 4,000-year-old towns in Oman. Remember to follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Welcome to a look back at this year's interviews with industry experts. It has been a packed year so join Kieran Poole as we journey through the class of 2022. Hear from CorpGov's Jim McRitchie, Schulte Roth and Zabel's Ele Klein and Marc Weingarten, As You Sow's Olivia Knight, film director Bruce David Klein, Muddy Waters Research's Carson Block, White & Case's Tom Matthews and Sonica Tolani, The California State Teachers' Retirement System's Aeisha Mastagni, Shareholder Rights Group's Sanford Lewis, Georgeson's Cas Sydorowitz and Alicia Ogawa, Olshan Frome Wolosky's Ryan Nebel and Elizabeth Gonzalez-Sussman, The Activist Investor's Michael Levin, Vinson & Elkins' Lawrence Elbaum, Sustainable Governance Partners' Jessica Strine, William Blair's Christina Bresani, and Alliance Advisors' Emmanuelle Palikuca, FT's Dan McCrum, and Willis Tower Watson's Heather Marshall and Kenneth Kuk. Want to hear a guest on the show? We have put together a quick survey for you to tell us how we can improve our offering.
Kieran Poole and Rebecca Sherratt discuss the December edition of Insightia Monthly as well as hearing from the Sohn Foundation's Piers Butler live from its ninth annual London conference. The December magazine profiles the most prolific law and proxy solicitation firms this year before revealing the winners of our 2022 Adviser Awards. Plus, it highlights the investor efforts to increase corporate diversity and features an interview with Green Century Capital Management. Remember to get your free copy of Insightia's first-ever report on the topic of compensation.
Kieran Poole is joined by Willis Towers Watson's Heather Marshall and Ken Kuk as well as Insightia's Rebecca Sherratt and Sam Dixon to discuss Executive Compensation 2022. Both Heather and Ken are senior directors in the firm's executive compensation and board advisory practice. Join the conversation about the free report using the hashtag #InsightiaComp on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Dan McCrum of the FT joins host Kieran Poole to discuss his book Money Men which tells the extraordinary tale of the Wirecard scandal in 2020. Discover why there were fears of spies, phone hacking, and even the nerve gas Novichok. McCrum also explores whether a similar fraud will happen again in the near future. This episode contains fine Postman Pat knowledge. Remember to follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Kieran Poole and Rebecca Sherratt discuss the November edition of Insightia Monthly. The November issue explores how companies can avoid activist engagement with proxy season around the corner as well as the latest in short selling trends around the globe. Remember to get your free copy of The Proxy Voting Annual Review 2022.
Kieran Poole is joined by Emmanuelle Palikuca of Alliance Advisors and Insightia's Rebecca Sherratt to discuss The Proxy Voting Annual Review 2022. Emmanuelle is the managing director and head of sustainability advisory at Alliance Advisors. Join the conversation about the free report using the hashtag #PVAR2022 on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Kieran Poole is joined by Insightia's Rebecca Sherratt and Josh Black for the hundredth episode of Beyond The Boardroom to discuss the October edition of Insightia Monthly. October's issue features an interview with Bluebell Capital Partners reflecting on the Richemont campaign, and guides you through all of the expertise shared at Diligent's Modern Governance Summit. This episode contains fine Frasier knowledge. For more information about the Summit, visit here.
Christina Bresani of William Blair joins Kieran Poole to discuss how publicly-traded companies can prepare themselves when faced with activist investor action and how to establish appropriate proactive protocols. Remember to get your free copy of our latest report, ESG Activism in 2022, and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Kieran Poole and Rebecca Sherratt discuss the September edition of Insightia Monthly. The September issue explores the universal proxy card and political spending shareholder proposals. Plus, we speak with BlackRock about its new decision to give retail investors the right to choose how their shares are voted.
Kieran Poole is joined by Lawrence Elbaum of Vinson & Elkins, Sustainable Governance Partners' Jessica Wirth Strine, and Insightia's Rebecca Sherratt to discuss ESG Activism in 2022. Lawrence is co-chair of the shareholder activism practice at Vinson & Elkins and Jessica is the managing partner and CEO of Sustainable Governance Partners. Join the conversation about the free report using the hashtag #InsightiaESG on Twitter and LinkedIn. Remember to look out for our polls every Tuesday on social media and our newsletter. Click here for more information on Diligent's Modern Governance Summit in Texas.
Kieran Poole and the team count down the top 10 wildest campaigns of the year so far as featured in August's issue of Insightia Monthly. Who will take top spot? Who will get silver? Who will miss out on a podium place? Listen now and then enjoy a more comprehensive analysis in the magazine. Plus, remember to get your free Half-Year Review 2022 and your ticket to Diligent's Modern Governance Summit in September where our Josh Black will be hosting two sessions, including key findings from our forthcoming ESG Activism report.
Michael Levin of The Activist Investor Blog joins Kieran Poole to discuss the universal proxy card, lessons he has learned, and his proudest moments. Remember to get your free copy of our Half-Year Review 2022. Want a guest interview or topic discussed? Tell us here. View all of the products offered by Insightia by visiting our website and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Kieran Poole is joined by Olshan Frome Wolosky's Ryan Nebel and Elizabeth Gonzalez-Sussman, as well as Insightia's Rebecca Sherratt to discuss The Activist Investing Half-Year Review 2022. Plus, Insightia's Adam Riches tells us about our networking event in New York. Ryan and Elizabeth are members of the firm's activist and equity investment practice focusing on shareholder activism, proxy contests, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance. Elizabeth also heads Olshan's ESG activist investing practice. Join the conversation about the report using the hashtag #HYR2022 on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Kieran Poole and Rebecca Sherratt discuss the June edition of Insightia Monthly. The June issue explores the relationship between proxy advisers and investor voting, Legal & General Investment Management's ethnic diversity on boards campaign, the growing trend of directors initiating proxy fights this season, and opposition towards "say on pay" proposals. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Want a guest interview or topic discussed? Tell us here.
Kieran Poole is joined by Cas Sydorowitz of Georgeson and Alicia Ogawa of Columbia Business School as well as Insightia's Rebecca Sherratt to discuss our latest report, Shareholder Activism in Asia 2022. Cas is global head of Georgeson and responsible for its global activism and M&A practice, while Alicia Ogawa is the director of the Project on Japanese Corporate Governance and Stewardship at Columbia Business School's Center on Japanese Economy and Business. View all of the products offered by Insightia by visiting our website.
Sanford Lewis of the Shareholder Rights Group joins Kieran Poole to discuss emerging trends among proposals, climate disclosure rules, ESG investing, and the reality of majority voting. Want a guest interview or topic discussed? Tell us here. View all of the products offered by Insightia by visiting our website and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Aeisha Mastagni of CalSTRS joins Kieran Poole to discuss its role in the Engine No. 1 and ExxonMobil campaign, the path to net-zero, and her proudest moments. Remember to get your free copy of Insightia's Shareholder Activism in Europe 2022. Want a guest interview or topic discussed? Tell us here. View all of the products offered by Insightia by visiting our website and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Kieran Poole and Rebecca Sherratt discuss the May edition of Insightia Monthly. This new-look magazine spans governance, stewardship, and shareholder engagement information. The May issue explores Pershing Square and Canadian Pacific's iconic proxy contest, a decade on, how racial equity audits have taken the proxy season by storm, and features an interview with Monex Group's Oki Matsumoto about the rise of ESG in Japan. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Want a guest interview or topic discussed? Tell us here.
Kieran Poole is joined by White & Case's Tom Matthews and Sonica Tolani as well as Insightia's Rebecca Sherratt to discuss our special report, Shareholder Activism in Europe 2022. Tom heads up the law firm's European shareholder activism practice and Sonica is a specialist in public company M&A, ECM, and shareholder activism. View all of the products offered by Insightia by visiting our website.
Carson Block of Muddy Waters Research joins Kieran Poole to discuss how he researches a target company for a short report, the Federal Reserve's increase in interest rates, the Department of Justice's probe into short selling tactics, and lessons he has learned from campaigns that did not go as planned. Plus, why he believes enjoying South Park is integral to his success. Want a guest interview or topic discussed? Tell us here. View all of the products offered by Insightia by visiting our website and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Kieran Poole and Rebecca Sherratt discuss the April edition of Insightia Monthly. This new-look magazine spans governance, stewardship, and shareholder engagement information. The April issue explores how the SEC's new climate policy affects Scope 3 emissions, the evolution of activism in South Korea, and ClientEarth's campaign at Shell. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Want a guest interview or topic discussed? Tell us here.
Film director Bruce David Klein joins Kieran Poole to tell us all about making the HBO documentary Icahn: The Restless Billionaire. We also hear from Insightia's Head of Sales, Adam Riches, about our new website. Make sure to follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Want a guest interview or topic discussed? Tell us here.
Kieran Poole and Rebecca Sherratt discuss our new-look magazine, Insightia Monthly, which spans governance, stewardship, and shareholder engagement information. The opening issue features the 10 key engagements and trends to look out for this coming proxy season. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Want a guest interview or topic discussed? Tell us here.
Olivia Knight of As You Sow joins Kieran Poole to discuss racial equity audits, EEO-1 surveys, the Racial Justice Scorecard, and her most challenging moments. View all of the products offered by Insightia by visiting our website and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Want a guest interview or topic discussed? Tell us here.
Kieran Poole is joined by Schulte Roth and Zabel's Ele Klein and Marc Weingarten, as well as Insightia's Josh Black to discuss the eagerly anticipated Activist Investing Annual Review 2022. Ele is chair of the firm's M&A and securities group, co-chair of the global shareholder Activism group, and serves as a member of Schulte's executive committee. Marc is also co-chair of its global shareholder activism group and a member of the M&A and securities group and investment management group. Want a guest interview or topic discussed? Tell us here. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn and subscribe to our newsletters.
Jim McRitchie of CorpGov.net joins Kieran Poole to discuss his 2021 review, the upcoming proxy season, and employee ownership. Plus, Jim tells us why we should all be watching Don't Look Up on Netflix. Want a guest interview or topic discussed? Tell us here. View all of the products offered by Insightia by visiting our website and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Welcome to a look back at this year's interviews with guests from our Beyond The Boardroom and special report episodes. It has been a packed year so join Kieran Poole as we journey through the class of 2021. Hear from Artisan Partners' David Samra, George Michael Gerstein and Sara Crovitz of Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, D.F. King's David Chase Lopes, Gabriel Grego of Quintessential Capital Management, Tracy Gopal of Third Arrow Strategies, White & Case's Tom Matthews, FTI Consulting's Edward Bridges, Goodmans' Jon Feldman, Ian Robertson of Kingsdale Advisors, Gabrielle Wolf and Craig Pais of Innisfree M&A, Olshan Frome Wolosky's Elizabeth Gonzalez-Sussman and Andrew Freedman, Patrick Gadson and Lawrence Elbaum of Vinson & Elkins, Michael Verrechia of Morrow Sodali, and Kai Liekefett and Derek Zaba of Sidley Austin. We also want to know what you have to say. Maybe a topic you want to be discussed? Or a guest you want to hear interviewed? It could even be you coming on. Just click here to complete the short survey.
Kieran Poole, Jason Booth, and Rebecca Sherratt discuss the December issues of Activist Insight Monthly and Proxy Monthly. Activist Insight Monthly profiles the most prolific law and proxy solicitation firms this year before revealing the winners of our 2021 Adviser Awards. Proxy Monthly looks back at the biggest stories in corporate governance from the past year, Vanguard shares its thoughts on the SEC's upcoming climate policies, and we look at how diversity continues to dominate board room discussions. Do you have a topic you want to be discussed on the podcast? Or a guest you want to hear interviewed? Simply complete this short survey with your thoughts.
This is the second installment of Command Financial's Corporate Compliance Roundtable hosted by Kieran Poole. Every year since 2015, we have gathered industry experts at The Yale Club in New York but, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are bringing it to you in the comfort of your own home. Part one featured a panel of inside counsel but this episode features the outside counsel of Kai Liekefett, David Ni, Sabastian Niles, and Elina Tetelbaum. Kai is a partner at Sidley Austin and co-chairs its shareholder activism practice and his colleague David specializes in SPACs. Elina and Sabastian are partners in the corporate department of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.
We are back with Command Financial's Corporate Compliance Roundtable. Every year since 2015, we have gathered industry experts at The Yale Club in New York but, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are bringing it to you in the comfort of your own home. Kieran Poole is joined by a panel of inside counsel featuring Judy Tomkins, Jeff Neuman, Richard Gluckselig, and Raj Dave. Judy is senior associate general counsel at Compass. Jeff is senior vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary at Tronox. Richard is assistant general counsel and assistant corporate secretary at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Raj is vice president, chief securities counsel, and assistant corporate secretary at Newell Brands. This is the first of two episodes. The second will be out soon with different subjects debated by a panel of outside counsel.
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