Glass Lewis has updated its policy guidelines in relation to their approach to governance and proxy research. 

Among other updates, the 2018 Guidelines:

  • Feature increased discussion of board gender diversity in our reports, including a phased policy that will see nomination committee chairs targeted with against/withhold recommendations if boards do not include a female director, or provide a cogent explanation for their absence, by 2019;
  • Set out our phased policy on virtual-only meetings, which from 2019 will hold governance committees accountable if shareholders are not offered the same rights and opportunities to participate as at a physical meeting;
  • Address the emergence of proxy access in international markets, including Canada, and explain our rationale for approaching such proposals in the context of the regulatory landscape;
  • Harmonize our approach in areas such as board responsiveness and dual-class share structures, including within the context of recent IPOs and spin-offs; and
  • Clarify our methodologies, including for our pay-for-performance (P4P) grades and treatment of outside commitments for NEOs, and on shareholder proposals relating to climate change and proxy access.

Click here to access your copy. ​