Governance Matters

What governance teams need to know about the growing power of retail investors

On the latest episode of the Governance Matters podcast, senior reporter Natalie Bannerman speaks to Katie Perry, marketer, financial creator, capital markets strategist and retail investing expert. She is also the author of the book Ticker Shock: A Playbook for Investor Relations, Communications, and Leadership in the Age of Retail Investors. The discussion with Perry explores how retail investors are reshaping the governance conversation, particularly as high-profile IPOs and tightly controlled board structures raise questions about shareholder protections. Through our conversation she homes in on whether retail investors are gaining real influence or simply applying symbolic pressure, how their priorities differ from institutional investors on issues such as quarterly reporting and whether their impact is extending into regulatory and compliance debates. She also shares the role of technology, social platforms and AI-driven tools in amplifying retail voices, before asking whether this shift could strengthen accountability or create new governance risks. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Trust and credibility remain central to ESG reporting, says governance researcher

On the latest episode of the Governance Matters podcast, senior reporter Natalie Bannerman speaks to Gaizka Ormazabal, associate dean for Research at IESE Business School in Barcelona, about his latest research [https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4986621] which examines the mechanisms underpinning trust and credibility in sustainability reporting. With his research cited in final rulings by the SEC and the European Securities and Markets Authority, he explains the real-world effects of regulatory changes. For example, he explores how new disclosure requirements in the world’s major stock indices can impact corporate behavior and investor decision-making. Through the conversation, Ormazabal also explains the influence of political ideology on ESG regulation, looking specifically at global policy shifts triggered during President Trump’s second term. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Governance teams need to ‘be a journalist, ask the questions’ to get the best from its boards

On the latest episode of the Governance Matters podcast, senior reporter Natalie Bannerman speaks to Davina Stanley, founder of Clarity First Program, a professional development initiative designed to help executives, managers and their teams. It enables them to refine complex ideas, improve communication and secure faster, better decisions from senior leaders and boards Directors often tell Stanley that understanding the board takes a fraction of the time once executives have completed her training. One even said they now spend 90 percent less time understanding the board deck than before. Through the discussion, Stanley advises listeners on how to prevent communication breakdowns across various teams, how to get better board contributions and why governance professionals need to act like journalists to get the best insights and produce the best board materials. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

As market volatility persists, regulators are sharpening their focus on core enforcement actions

On the latest episode of the Governance Matters podcast, senior reporter Natalie Bannerman runs down the latest stories from across the GRC space. Top of the list is the SEC’s director for the Division of Enforcement setting a ‘back to basics’ approach to enforcement policy. We also discuss SEC chairman Paul Atkins sharing his thoughts on why ‘woke priorities’ are slowing IPOs and capital markets, plus the Delaware Supreme Court's reversal in the Moelis & Company case and the implications for stockholder agreements and board authority. Lastly, we explore our latest deep dive on the modernization of capital markets infrastructure and why boards should be prepared for continued scrutiny of post-trade infrastructure. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Trump, proxies and proposals: What’s changing for the 2026 proxy season

On the latest episode of the Governance Matters podcast, senior reporter Natalie Bannerman rounds up the most compelling stories from the end of 2025 well into the new year. From President Trump’s proxy advisor executive order targeting ISS and Glass Lewis to Rule 14a-8, the shareholder proposal rule and how its enforcement is changing for the 2026 proxy season. Elsewhere, California’s AI Bill curbing lawyers’ use of AI, the sharp shift in corporate language around diversity and the review of regulation S-K by the SEC, its clear that the focus in light touch regulation continues at pace in the US. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.