Corporate Governance London 2020

About This Event
In the U.K., the recent growth of shareholder activism has been driven by U.S. insurgent fund managers, but there is no shortage of homegrown activist funds. The traditional tactics of U.S.-based investors might not always be the right approach for the market, but activist managers have learned to adapt. Pension funds, family offices, private equity funds and large asset-managers are all becoming more influential in the boardrooms of public companies, and even large, well performing companies are not safe from a shareholder attack.
Senior management and boards need to be aware of and understand how to proactively position themselves and prepare for engaged shareholders. Is the company up to speed on the latest ESG initiatives? What happens if an activist tries to block a merger or acquisition from closing?
Join senior journalists from The Deal, the leading U.S. news source on activism, mergers, acquisitions and all other changes in corporate control, at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms for an exclusive conference which will examine the current state of shareholder activism, outline best practices and provide vital guidance around the new age of activism in Europe.
LOCATION
Speakers
Deborah Gilshan is the Founder and Investment Stewardship Advisor for The 100% Club and 30% Club Ambassador.
Agenda
So much activism occurs in private conversations behind-the-scenes, and never makes it into the public domain. This panel will look at private engagement between companies and activists in the U.K and Europe, and whether insurgents can effect change without public agitation.
Moderator: Lisa Botter, Assistant Managing Editor, The Deal
Panelist: John Armstrong Denby, Former Activist Investor
Panelist: Dr. Giulia Nobili, Member of the Board of Directors, Sterling Strategic Value Fund
Panelist: Cas Sydorowitz, Global Head of Activism, Georgeson
Driven by public policy related to diversity and corporate culture, and the power of investor capital, corporations are undergoing transformational changes. Gender pay gap reporting, increased collaboration between shareholders and companies, investment stewardship, the evolution of shareholder activism and the rise of socially conscious and pro-governance investment decisions are all challenging companies to change. Deborah will reflect on her experience in investment stewardship and ESG integration from a career spanning 19 years in the space and explore how she sees the industry evolving at such a critical juncture for the long-term sustainability of companies and trust in financial markets.
Interviewer: Lisa Botter, Assistant Managing Editor, The Deal
Speaker: Deborah Gilshan, Founder, The 100% Club, Investment Stewardship Advisor and 30% Club Ambassador
Investors are mobilizing across borders on large global issues such as burning rainforests in Brazil’s Amazon or efforts to have target companies sever ties with industry lobby groups. This panel will take a closer look at ESG-focused investing and whether investor groups in the UK and Europe are achieving their goals through mobilization.
Moderator: Paul Whitfield, Journalist, The Deal
Panelist: Antonio Curie, Executive Director, Wimmer Family Office
Panelist: Anne-Sophie D’Andlau, Partner, Deputy CEO, CIAM
Panelist: Harald Kinzler, Partner, Kekst CNC
Panelist: Rishi Varma, SVP & General Counsel, Legal Department, Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Panelist: Amy Wilson, Associate Director, Engagement, Hermes Investment Management
In 2019, U.S. activists continued to push for European deals and take-privates while other insurgents tried to scuttle mergers, and sometimes insurgents are opposing each other on mergers. Finally, bumpitrage continues to be big in Europe, with activists pushing for improved transaction terms. This panel will examine what to expect next.
Moderator: Paul Whitfield, Journalist, The Deal
Panelist: Gianluca Ferrari, Director, Shareholder Value Management AG
Panelist: Ele Klein, Partner, Co-Chair Global Shareholder Activism Group, Schulte Roth & Zabel
Panelist: Simon Lyons, Partner, PJT Partners
Panelist: Patrick McHugh, Co-Founder and Senior Managing Director, Okapi Partners
Panelist: Eric Sibbern, Partner and Managing Director, Veraison Capital AG
The House of Commons voted in favor of Boris Johnson’s amended Brexit bill, bringing the U.K. one step closer to leaving the EU. The UK, which is already Europe’s largest market for shareholder activism, is at risk of drawing even more attention from investors during all of the disruption caused by Brexit. Johnson’s Brexit deal contains significant requirements around labor law, regional work permits and the employment of foreign workers providing services into the EU, which could offer opportunity for Activists to target company boards for their lack of preparation and mitigation plans. This panel will examine how market uncertainty around Brexit could result in a major buying opportunity for U.S. activist funds in the U.K., with M&A driven insurgencies to follow.
Moderator: Lisa Botter, Assistant Managing Editor, The Deal
Panelist: Malcolm McKenzie, Managing Director, Head of European Corporate Transformation Services, Alvarez & Marsal
Panelist: Liad Meidar, Managing Partner, Gatemore Capital Management
Panelist: Jeffrey Pierce, Managing Partner, Snow Park Capital Partners
U.K. active managers are issuing public press releases criticizing deal terms, raising issues with corporate operations and even launching cross-border proxy fights. In other situations, active managers are collaborating and forming groups through the U.K. Investor Forum to target specific companies on operational, listing and M&A-related issues. In other cases, publicly vocal active managers are able to convince traditional insurgent hedge funds, to join their efforts. As more capital shifts from active to passive funds, active managers are taking concerns with their investments public in an effort to differentiate themselves and show they are working for their investors.
Moderator: Ron Orol, Senior Editor, The Deal
Panelist: Raman Bet-Mansour, Partner, Debevoise & Plimpton
Panelist: Lauren Gojkovich, Managing Director, PJT Partners
Panelist: Michiel van Esch, Governance and Active Ownership Specialist, Robeco
Apply to Attend
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The Corporate Governance conference attracts senior executives, board members and investors from a variety of sectors. Attendees will walk away with smart strategies, actionable tactics and connections to the people shaping the future of shareholder engagement.
Sponsorship: Jenney Smith E: jenney.smith@thedeal.com P: 212-224-3026
Register/Press: Nicole Harris E: nicole.harris@thedeal.com P: 212-224-3040
Speakers: Eric Salvarezza E: eric.salvarezza@thedeal.com P: 631-664-1311