Natalie Bannerman
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Thirteen state bills could threaten proxy advisor independence, warns Glass Lewis
Legislation advancing across US states may restrict the ability of proxy advisors to give independent voting recommendations The 2025 Corporate Governance Awards showcase a governance landscape undergoing rapid and transformative change. Last year’s submissions reveal a clear inflection point as companies confront heightened regulatory scrutiny, accelerating AI adoption and growing stakeholder expectations, pressures that are now reshaping day to day work for governance, risk and compliance professionals. Click here to download the Winners Report >> Across the award categories, common themes emerged that define what effective GRC looks like today. Organizations are embedding AI into board evaluations, compliance programs and…
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The week in GRC: BP faces shareholder rebellion over climate disclosures as the Trump administration sues California over EV mandates
This week’s governance, compliance and risk-management stories from around the web – Tensions are escalating between BP and investors ahead of its April AGM, as disputes grow over shareholder rights and climate disclosure demands. According to The Wall Street Journal (paywall), the oil company has urged investors to vote against a shareholder resolution calling for more detailed disclosures about how it evaluates investment decisions and manages project costs and value creation. BP argues that the proposal duplicates existing reporting and could complicate its efforts to streamline disclosures as it seeks to rebuild investor confidence after pivoting back toward oil and…
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People moves: Trustpilot unveils chief trust officer role as MVW general counsel James Hunter is set to retire
Plus Choice Hotels, Arcutis Biotherapeutics and Liberty Media grow their legal teams Trustpilot has named Shazadi Stinton as its new chief trust officer, a newly created role at the reviews company. It joins the likes of Salesforce, Airbnb and Docusign by introducing the role, which sits at the intersection of security, data privacy, compliance and ethical AI initiatives. Specifically, Stinton will oversee Trustpilot’s content integrity, fraud prevention and the legal and governance framework. She will work closely with the company’s technology, public affairs and product teams to ensure the company’s integrity standards remain high. Stinton joins from the MONY Group…
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‘We believe many ESG-driven decisions lack objectivity’: NLPC director Paul Chesser on why companies should shun culture-war activism
Conservative watchdog says it is challenging what it sees as a growing threat of politicized corporate activity For more than two decades, the National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC) has positioned itself as a prominent conservative watchdog challenging what it sees as the growing politicization of corporate America. As director of the organization’s Corporate Integrity Project – an initiative that uses shareholder proposals and public campaigns to target corporations it believes are adopting excessively progressive policies – Paul Chesser embodies that mission. A former journalist with nearly 25 years in the conservative nonprofit sector, Chesser has led NLPC’s expanded shareholder…
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EEOC launches campaign targeting DEI-related workplace discrimination
The move signals heightened scrutiny for corporate diversity programs, raising questions about disclosure, policies and the risk of lawsuits The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) under acting chair Andrea Lucas has launched a major public awareness campaign and revised guidance on discrimination related to DEI matters in the workplace. The move could reshape how companies approach disclosure of DEI initiatives, how they craft corporate policies and which legal risks employers may face. On EEOC’s official LinkedIn page the agency posted a video and statement titled ‘DEI and the law: how to recognize discrimination – and what to do about…
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The week in GRC: Lululemon boardroom fight intensifies as judge approves settlement between SEC and Pfizer
This week’s governance, compliance and risk-management stories from around the web – Lululemon founder Chip Wilson has ramped up his campaign against the board of Lululemon Athletica, accusing its board of directors of weak governance and ‘strategic drift’ as he presses for widespread boardroom changes. As reported by The Wall Street Journal (paywall), Wilson wrote in a letter to shareholders that months of private engagement with the board had failed to produce meaningful reforms, arguing the company lacks the creative and brand expertise needed to sustain growth. Wilson launched a proxy fight in December and hopes to replace three directors…
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AT&T’s NYC settlement reignites DEI and ESG issues in corporate boardrooms
AT&T’s settlement with New York City pension funds over a blocked workforce diversity proposal is poised to reshape how companies approach DEI and ESG disclosures On the latest episode of the Governance Matters podcast, senior reporter Natalie Bannermanruns down the latest stories from across the GRC space. Top of mind right now is the SEC’s director for the Division of Enforcement setting a ‘back to basics’ approach to enforcement policy. We also discuss SEC chairman Paul Atkins sharing his thoughts on why ‘woke priorities’ are slowing IPOs and capital markets, plus the Delaware Supreme Court’s reversal in the Moelis& Company…
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People moves: Unilever welcomes new CLO and group company secretary as Rumble appoints Maurice Edelson
Plus DeFi Technologies, Bristow Group and Flotek Industries expand their governance teams Unilever has named Prakash Kakkadas its new chief legal officer and group company secretary, succeeding Maria Varsellona who exited the role at the start of the month. Before his appointment, Prakash was Unilever’s general counsel, corporate and deputy group secretary. Prior to joining the company, he held senior governance and legal roles at BHP Group and Barclays. He began his career at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP. Over at online video-sharing platform Rumble, Maurice Edelson has been appointed as the company’s new general counsel and corporate secretary. Edelson…
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New SEC guidance expands tax-efficient options around mutual funds and ETFs for US investors
The SEC’s approval of ETF share classes for mutual funds signals a major shift in US capital markets In January, the SEC under chairman Paul Atkins approved a major change allowing traditional mutual funds to offer ETF share classes, a shift that could reduce capital gains tax burdens for millions of US investors and reshape participation in the capital markets. The SEC’s move to modernize fund structures enables investors to switch between the two without triggering immediate capital gains taxes that typically arise when mutual fund shares are sold to meet redemptions. According to Atkins’ op-ed in the Washington Post,…
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Modernizing transfer, custody and exchange operations: a digital reckoning for the capital markets
In a concentrated market, a shift to real-time, digitally native processes may create a potent opening for innovation – Global investment management companyVanguard has reached a settlement agreement with the state of Texas. As reported by The Financial Times (paywall), the Lone Star State’s authorities had accused Vanguard and other large US fund managers of conspiring to curb coal-related investments as part of ESG strategies, alleging anti-competitive conduct and urging the state to divest public funds from firms perceived as hostile to fossil fuels. The case was brought by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against BlackRock, State Street and Vanguard.…