ISS Governance has warned that the 2025 AGM season will be challenging in its latest annual global outlook report, examining key themes expected to impact institutional investors and companies. “Many investors and their portfolio companies alike will face challenges this year, reflecting economic and political changes and uncertainties, and the impact they may have on key governance and stewardship issues such as corporate risk oversight, supply chain management, M&A activity, executive compensation, climate risks, human capital management, as well as board oversight and accountability,” said Georgina Marshall, Global Head of Research for ISS Governance. The report pointed to heightened shareholder activism in the US last year – a trend it expects to continue into 2025. In Asia, board independence and diversity are expected to remain a key area of focus, the report added. Executive remuneration will continue to be a priority for shareholders in the UK, whereas the trend of higher support for say on pay in the US is expected to remain prevalent. The anti-ESG movement in the US is likely to impact environmental and social shareholder resolutions filed in the US, ISS Governance noted. ISS Governance is a global provider of independent and objective shareholder meeting research and recommendations.
