ShareSoc in the News

This page lists references to ShareSoc in the press and broadcast media.

FT 20 April 2020, AGMs in these Covid times – ShareAction

ShareAction has written to FTSE100 Chairs, concerned that two out of three FTSE100 annual general meetings (AGMs) announced so far are going behind closed doors, indicating a trend of shareholders being shut out in the context of Covid-19. Companies including BAE Systems, HSBC and Next are holding AGMs with two members of the board physically present, without giving shareholders the opportunity to participate virtually. In contrast, Taylor Wimpey, RBS and others have taken steps to ensure that shareholders are heard and answered ...

An Urgent Call to Include Individual Shareholders in New Issues – Sign Now!

Treat all shareholders fairly. There is no need to ignore individual shareholders in raising funds. Sign the petition now https://allinvestorsmatter.co.uk The Times reported today 20 April 2020 our letter (see https://allinvestorsmatter.co.uk/) which was co-signed by Mark Northway, Chairman of ShareSoc, our Patron Lord Lee (John Lee) , PrimaryBid and an impressive list of industry heavyweights. We have been working closely with PrimaryBid on this initiative. The Times article is here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/city-chiefs-demand-fair-shares-for-equity-raises-hr9fhzzb8 This is an urgent call for UK PLCs, industry bodies, regulators, investors, ...

Daily Mail, 18 April 2020, Royal Mail CEO pay (again)

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-8230795/Royal-Mail-boss-Rico-facing-calls-return-UK-Swiss-penthouse-quit.html Tory MP Robert Halfon said: 'At a time when thousands of postal workers are heroically risking their own health and the health of their families to serve their communities, it seems astonishing that the head of Royal Mail is hiding away in a Swiss penthouse. This is truly a case of lions being led by a donkey.' Cliff Weight, director of Sharesoc, which represents small shareholders, added: 'Why should shareholders buy shares in a company run by a board and chief executive like ...

Daily Mail, 17 April 2020, Royal Mail CEO pay

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-8227085/Royal-Mail-mounting-pressure-cut-executive-pay.html Royal Mail is under mounting pressure to cut executive pay after it slashed its dividend to save cash... The issue has been highlighted by the Mail's Time to End Fat Cat Pay campaign. Cliff Weight, director of Sharesoc, which represents small shareholders, said: 'Leaders should lead by example – it is as simple as that. 'Back and other executives at Royal Mail should take a pay cut. Most other companies seem to have accepted this, but a few bad boards seem to have ...

Investors Chronicle, 15 April 2020, Are Retail Investors Losing Out?

https://www.investorschronicle.co.uk/shares/2020/04/15/are-retail-investors-losing-out-amid-the-fundraising-rush/ Companies in the current crisis are rushing to strengthen their balance sheets. This article reviews what is happening and mentions the PrimaryBid approach. It quotes ShareSoc director Cliff Weight: However, excluding retail investors from participating in fundraisings is a “snub”, said Cliff Weight, director of policy and campaigns at shareholder rights group ShareSoc, arguing that companies should not be taking a selective approach to when they require support from retail shareholders. “This is a way of the big institutions creaming off a profit ...

FT, 9 April 2020, Dividend Payments at Risk

ShareSoc Director, Cliff Weight, is quoted in the following article: https://www.ft.com/content/12e2a225-a6ff-4375-847f-6ee3499df9a2 Though the dividend cuts may be unpopular with some investors looking to draw income, Cliff Weight, director of shareholder advocacy group ShareSoc, said it was better for companies to conserve cash rather than risk going bust. Investors should not be dependent on income from investments, Mr Weight added. “You should have a sufficient cash buffer so that if the worst does happen then you’re not financially destroyed.” Cliff clarifies his remarks in the ...

Daily Mail, 2 April 2020, Give up Your Bonuses

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-8177511/Now-bonuses-bankers-told-Industry-fire-pay.html Cliff Weight, director of shareholder organisation ShareSoc, said: 'The regulator is not being strong enough here. A lot of bonuses are now paid out in shares and the regulator has said nothing about that.' None of Britain's major banks has yet confirmed how they will ensure executive pay appropriately reflects the pressures the industry is under.

FT, 12 March 2020, AGMs Impacted by Coronavirus

FT quoted Cliff Weight and reported that HSBC warns of potential disruption to AGM from coronavirus- UK-listed groups consider options in case of restrictions to mass gatherings. see https://www.ft.com/content/f9233d54-63b6-11ea-b3f3-fe4680ea68b5 Cliff Weight, director of investor group, ShareSoc, which on Wednesday postponed its own annual meeting until July, said: “There is no doubt that elderly people are more at risk and many of those attending AGMs fall in the high-risk category, so they and many others may choose not to attend.”... ...Mr Weight said companies that ...

Daily Mail, 7 March 2020, Small shareholders set for power boost

Small shareholders set for power boost as shake-up may give ... This is Money, 7 Mar 2020: ...Cliff Weight, a director at ShareSoc, another group representing small investors, said: ‘Low rates of voting by individual investors mean opportunists can overly influence takeovers.’...

Yorkshire Post, 26 February 2020, Sirius shareholders face a stark choice

The ShareSoc Sirius Shareholders Group (SSSG), which is supporting small investors in Sirius Minerals, said they now face a stark choice between accepting Anglo American’s “unpalatable” 5.5p per share offer or “the very high probability” of losing everything if they reject it.  See https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/sirius-shareholders-face-stark-choice-ros-snowdon-1996010

The Times, 25 February 2020, Sirius Investors must put aside emotions

The Times has published an article based on our vote recommendations paper. We stressed we do not give financial advice and were not making a recommendation. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sirius-minerals-investors-must-put-aside-emotions-tx5r5h9j6

Daily Mail, 25 February 2020, Now Business Secretary is dragged into Sirius row amid fears ordinary shareholders will be shut out of vote

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-8044485/Now-Business-Secretary-Alok-Sharma-dragged-Sirius-row.html The Daily Mail reported that: In a letter to Sharma, Cliff Weight, director of investor lobby group Sharesoc, said: 'The events at Sirius Minerals highlight how complicated the system to vote shares is and the need to make it easier. 'Low rates of voting by individual investors will mean that opportunists can overly influence takeover outcomes.'