Number of retail investors using vote to hold corporates accountable increases 110%

Shareholder activism powerful tool for change

Retail investors are increasingly piling the pressure on investee companies through shareholder voting, which increased by 110% year-on-year in 2021, according to data from interactive investor.

The investment platform processed a total of over 161,900 shareholder votes last year, more than double 2020's total of 77,185. This follows ii's move in November 2021 to begin paving the way for greater access to voting for retail investors by automatically opting in customers to its voting and information service after the launch of an education campaign at the start of the year. Investors can opt out if they wish. Asset managers 'largely failing' on ESG voting, research suggests According to the data, the most voted companies on ii's platform in 2021 included fossil fuel giants ...