Investors are shifting from supporting transactions to directly challenging boards, using pay votes and director opposition to enforce accountability as formal shareholder channels narrow.
Starbucks’ Shareholder Showdown: Investors Issue ‘Vote No’ Campaign Against Director Duo
23 February 2026
Starbucks shareholders have called on their fellow investors to vote against the re-election of two company directors at its 25 March AGM due to “sustained oversight failures of labor relations”.
Shareholders’ Stand: Investors Push to Reassert Control Amid Rising DEI Exclusions
18 February 2026
Shareholders have sued US telecommunications giant AT&T for excluding a DEI-focused proposal as heightened risks created by the US SEC’s change in approach to ‘no action’ requests are highlighted.
US SEC Chair Paul Atkins has launched a campaign to roll back what he calls “regulatory creep,” outlining a plan to “make IPOs great again” during recent testimony to the US House Financial Committee.
Seeking SRD Insights: European Commission Commences Shareholder Rights Directive Consultation
13 February 2026
The European Commission has launched a public consultation to glean investor and industry insights on a potential update of the Shareholder Rights Directive (SRD).
Resolution Rejections: Amazon to Exclude at Least Seven Shareholder Proposals
12 February 2026
Amazon looks set to exclude at least seven shareholder proposals from its 2026 proxy statement without formal assent from the US Securities and Exchange Commission
Anti-DEI Augmented: Appeal to Overturn Trump Executive Order Rejected
10 February 2026
A challenge to US President Donald Trump’s high-profile executive orders against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes has been rejected by an appeals court.
Texas SB 13 Struck Down: Judge Rules Against Anti-ESG Law
5 February 2026
A Texas federal judge has struck down one of the US’ most prominent anti-environment, social and governance (ESG) laws, ruling that prohibiting state investment in companies avoiding financing fossil fuels is unconstitutional.
Consultation Showcases Support for UK Voluntary Sustainability Disclosure
3 February 2026
The UK government has published the results of its consultation on the creation of an oversight regime for assurance of sustainability-related financial disclosures which showed strong support for such a programme.
Exempt Solicitation Overhaul: Shareholders Signal EDGAR Shift Concerns to SEC
3 February 2026
Major shareholders have stressed concerns to the SEC about significant changes to the use of its EDGAR filing platform and exempt solicitation notices, as well as other developments that undercut shareholder rights.
NZFSPA Reshaped: Net Zero Alliance Shutters Standalone Activities
29 January 2026
The Net Zero Financial Service Providers Alliance (NZFSPA) has decided to reorganise almost five years since its 2021 launch and conclude activities as a standalone initiative.
Mixed Messages: Disney Accepts Resolutions from Anti-ESG Proponent Trio Amid Legal Uncertainty
28 January 2026
Disney has revealed that three shareholder proposals from anti-ESG proponents will be voted on at its 2026 AGM amid concerns over litigation should resolutions be excluded following controversial changes to the ‘no action’ process.