The paper, which was announced at an event hosted by the UK’s secretary of state for business, innovation and skills Vince Cable, articulates the investor-led forum’s principles and purpose.
Key aims include promoting long-term investment plans and facilitating dialogue between UK investment companies by providing an intermediary presence and encouraging relationships.
In addition, the Investor Forum said it is also keen to “facilitate the inclusion of international investors”, explaining that, while UK institutional investors have a “rich history” of engagement, not all investors are able to draw on this experience.
The need for engagement by international investors was identified in a report commissioned by Cable in 2012 and conducted by economist Professor John Kay.
Aside from recommending the need for the creation of the Investor Forum, Kay also identified “impediments to engagement arising from increased international ownership”.
Phineas Glover, the forum’s senior adviser, said: “It’s not just collective engagement – we will also be doing work around thought leadership, putting out research forums and preparing our own reports on material risks.
“It’s important that we have ongoing individual relationships with institutions. We will provide an ongoing sounding board, earning that role as a trusted intermediary so companies feel confident in coming to us if they’ve got a major issue or are having problems communicating with their shareholders.
“We want to be a trusted advisor in that situation, but we will also ensure that shareholders’ rights are represented as well.”
Simon Fraser and Andy Griffiths, the forum’s chairman and executive director respectively, who have served on the board since its formation on 2 July, are joined by:
Edward Bonham Carter – vice chairman, Jupiter Asset Management
Mark Burgess – chief investment officer, Threadneedle Investments
Daniel Godfrey – chief executive, Investment Management Association
Chris Hitchen – chief executive, Railways Pension Trustee Company
Virginia Holmes – chair, USS Investment Management
Professor John Kay CBE, FBA, FRSE – economist and author
Ida Levine – director and senior counsel, Capital International Limited (part of the Capital Group)
David Lis – chief investment officer, equities and multi assets, Aviva Investors
Nicholas Moakes – managing director, investment division, The Wellcome Trust
Anne Richards CVO – global chief investment officer, Aberdeen Asset Management
Fraser added: “Put simply, we will bring together asset owners, investment managers and corporates to deliver a return on engagement for the benefit of all investors. All long-term owners of UK companies, including international investors, are invited to join the Investor Forum.”
