RM Begins Proxy Policy Review

RiskMetrics Group has opened its policy formulation process, issuing a survey that is part of three-step process to identify which issues are likely to dominate the upcoming proxy season.

The annual survey covers both global and market-specific issues, and invites participation from “institutions, corporations, and various industry constituents…on the key governance issues that are likely to dominate the upcoming proxy season.”

Obtaining the policy opinions of its clientele is a vital element of the advisor-client relationship, said Dr. Martha Carter, policy board head for RiskMetrics. “Interaction on a regular basis among investors and issuers is central to advancing the corporate governance dialogue,” she said.

More than 350 institutions participated in last year’s policy outreach.

The survey is one of three steps that RiskMetrics takes to determine its proxy voting policies for the upcoming year. In addition to the survey, the group conducts a series of roundtables during an open comment period in which various corporate figures are invited to provide input.

The survey period will last until August 8, at which point the open comment period will begin. Comments will be posted publicly on the RiskMetrics website.

RiskMetrics is a financial risk management group that has advised investors since 1994.