The Institutional Shareholders Committee - comprising the Association of British Insurers, the Association of Investment Companies, the National Association of Pension Funds and the Investment Management Association - has published a code on institutional investors' responsibilities. The Code operates on a 'comply or explain' basis (institutions not wishing to engage with companies are expected to explain why) and provides, in the view of the ISC, best practice for institutions with regard to their engagement with companies. This best practice takes the form of seven principles and accompanying guidance. The seven principles are: - Institutional investors should publicly disclose their policy on how they will discharge their stewardship responsibilities.
- Institutional investors should have a robust policy on managing conflicts of interest in relation to stewardship and this policy should be publicly disclosed.
- Institutional investors should monitor their investee companies.
- Institutional investors should establish clear guidelines on when and how they will escalate their activities as a method of protecting and enhancing shareholder value.
- Institutional investors should be willing to act collectively with other investors where appropriate.
- Institutional investors should have a clear policy on voting and disclosure of voting activity.
- Institutional investors should report periodically on their stewardship and voting activities.
The Financial Times newspaper reports that Lord Myners, the Financial Services Secretary to the Treasury, has welcomed the Code's publication but is nevertheless critical of the self-governance model on which it is based.
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