Anne-Marie Clarke
Director - Head of Corporate Governance
In the UK, summer is on the horizon, with sunlight, warmth and growth, and therein lies the parallel with the 2024 AGM proxy season. Major achievements have been delivered, such as Annual Report publications, releasing the Notice of AGM and for many, holding their AGMs. As with every AGM season, we’ve supported many scenarios, and importantly many successes. Whatever your big success, or little win, we hope you can take time to reflect on what has been achieved.
Continuing the theme of growth, in this update we look at the beginning of life as a listed company. We also consider the shareholder perspective and how proxy voting plays an important role in the relationship between those who own a company and those who run a company.
Once listed, the importance of achieving long-term sustainable growth comes very much to the fore. We believe in the importance of the UK’s comply or explain approach to corporate governance and have been inspired by the companies who are embedding practices supporting the new QCA and UK Corporate Governance Codes.
It has not only been a busy period with preparation for AGMs, but Company Secretaries will also have been addressing the changes brought about by the implementation of the first stages of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, those that have already come into force and the changes expected on a piecemeal basis over the next 12 months.
Looking forwards, EQ are very much looking forward to seeing you at the Annual CGI Conference on 3-4 July. Please do come over to our stand and say hello!
Starting Life As A Listed Company
Earlier this month we partnered with the London Stock Exchange, BNP Paribas, Linklaters and MHP Group to host the IPO Forum. The event covered various stages in the IPO journey, and invited investors and recently listed corporates reflected back and provided practical insights on the execution of their transaction. There is a wealth of experience and material available, and we hope you can be inspired by what being listed in the UK can mean, and the support available, which can be accessed here.
The Move From AIM to Main Market
Our EQ Company Secretarial Services business have published their latest article on what you need to do if your board has decided to transfer from the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) to the Main Market.
How can you advise, support, and get ready for life as a Main Market company? Take a few minutes from your day to read this insightful piece.
The Proof Is In The Proxy
An interesting article on how an investor, AllianceBernstein, linked their voting on resolutions to the value generated from their investments. Food for thought for those of us involved in shareholder voting, giving a different perspective to this important shareholder right to have a say in how a company is being run.
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