By Simon Jessop LONDON (Reuters) – The number of British companies facing material dissent from investors at their shareholder meetings jumped in the first half of the year, with votes against individual directors doubling from 2017. Ninety-four companies were added to the Public Register – which lists companies that saw opposition of more than 20 percent on any vote or which withdrew a resolution – in the year to June 8, trade body the Investment Association said. The IA, whose members manage nearly 7 trillion pounds in assets, set the register up after a major review into corporate governance by the government last year, in the wake of growing discontent about corporate culture and behaviour. At the midway point of the season for annual general meetings of companies in the FTSE All-Share index <.FTAS>, the IA said a total of 140 individual resolutions had seen votes against of more than 20 percent, while 14 were withdrawn. Thirty-four companies faced … [Read more...] about Investors turn up pressure on British firms in 2018 AGM season
Agm
WPP to face shareholder backlash at first AGM after Sorrell departure
News / UK and world by Press Association June 13, 2018, 10:38 am FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppEmail Sign up to our Daily newsletter WPP is poised for a shareholder backlash at its annual general meeting over its handling of the controversial departure of long-standing chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell. Two influential shareholder advisory groups – Glass Lewis and PIRC – have recommended investors vote against the group’s remuneration report, which includes a £20 million payout to Sir Martin, as well as the re-election of chairman Roberto Quarta. The chairman has been targeted for failing to adequately prepare for Sir Martin’s replacement and over-committing with other roles. Over a quarter of WPP investors have cast votes against the pay report, while up to 20% have voted against Mr Quarta’s re-election, according to reports. A number of shareholders have already confirmed their voting intentions, with Royal London … [Read more...] about WPP to face shareholder backlash at first AGM after Sorrell departure
Teachers to demand 10% pay rise as EIS union gathers for AGM
0 Have your say Calls for a 10% pay rise are expected to dominate as Scotland’s largest teaching union gathers for its annual general meeting next week. Members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) will meet in Dundee for three days from Thursday with a campaign for an increase in pay at the top of the agenda.The union wants a 10% pay rise for all teachers in 2018, with talks with the Scottish Government and councils ongoing through the tripartite Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT).Earlier this year members of the teachers’ side of the SNCT rejected an offer of a 2% or 3% pay rise, which is in line with the Scottish Government’s pubic sector pay policy.Speaking ahead of the AGM, EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “This year’s event comes in the middle of a major EIS campaign on teachers’ pay in which we are challenging the Scottish Government and local authorities to demonstrate that they value education … [Read more...] about Teachers to demand 10% pay rise as EIS union gathers for AGM
New community hall and Just Dual It on the agenda at council AGM
PUBLISHED: 17:40 02 May 2018 | UPDATED: 17:40 02 May 2018 Sophie Smith Councillor Joe Mooney is backing the campaign to get the A47 dualled. PHOTO: Joe Mooney. Joe Mooney Town councillors have voted to hold talks with a firm which is building 300 homes in Wymondham over running a new community centre. A lively debate took place during the Wymondham Town Council AGM over the centre currently being constructed by Taylor Wimpey in South Wymondham, as part of their agreement for the new development. The council voted to enter into discussions with Taylor Wimpey with a view to take over the facility, with 10 votes in favour, one against and four abstentions. Robert Savage, who has completed his year as mayor and has now been succeeded by previous deputy mayor Tony Holden, said he thought the motion was premature and that volunteers were better placed to run the hall. But the majority of councillors agreed that Taylor Wimpey needed a body to advise on the design of the building. A … [Read more...] about New community hall and Just Dual It on the agenda at council AGM
Barclays AGM disrupted by climate change protesters
News / UK and world by Press Association May 1, 2018, 3:24 pm FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppEmail Sign up to our Daily newsletter Barclays annual meeting was disrupted by climate change activists calling on the bank to stop financing firms involved in fossil fuels. Chris Saltmarsh, the fossil free campaign coordinator for People & Planet – the group that has taken credit for the protest – said it involved seven students from the likes of Oxford, Bristol, Sheffield, Newcastle and the University of East Anglia. While climate related questions were posed by shareholders, he said the group did not think they were properly answered and decided to take to the front of the conference hall. “Some of us made it onto the stage and we were pretty forcibly removed,” he said. “We were pretty clear that we were protesting peacefully but were pretty heavily dragged off by two or three security per person,” he said. The protesters were … [Read more...] about Barclays AGM disrupted by climate change protesters