Proxy Voting Policy and Guidelines

Proxy Voting Policy and Guidelines

We believe judgement is a better guide to voting than a rules-based approach. Our voting policy is based on a parsimonious set of principles and key considerations that in our judgement are likely to be applicable to all companies in the vast majority of circumstances.

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Preamble 

We believe judgement is a better guide to voting than a rules-based approach. Our voting policy is based on a parsimonious set of principles and key considerations that in our judgement are likely to be applicable to all companies in the vast majority of circumstances. However, we consider each voting exercise a bespoke process that should take into account the specific context, circumstances, dynamics and development of each company.  

We believe an overly-specific and overly-prescriptive approach to proxy voting has drawbacks. First, it limits our ability to base our decisions on principles we cherish and to apply these principles to the circumstances of each company. Second, it overlooks that voting is often binary and blunt; it may only be possible to cast a single vote on matters that are often multi-faceted. Over-specifying requirements on each aspect of a remuneration policy is unnecessarily elaborate when we ultimately have to decide what our position is on balance.

Principles 

Overarching principle: We vote every item on a case-by-case basis and with no pre-defined policy on how to vote certain events or issues. 

We aim to: Use the voice that voting gives us ambitiously and positively, and to vote against proposals which in our judgement are likely to undermine positive outcomes. 

Our investment philosophy is suggestive of certain points of principle that voting decisions should aim to embody and reinforce. We therefore support proposals that in our judgement are likely to: 

  1. Encourage long-term decision-making
  2. Promote exceptional company cultures, strong franchises and resilient financials
  3. Encourage companies to contribute to a more sustainable future.

To bring about a more sustainable future, we support proposals that in our judgement are likely to: 

  1. Promote sustainable development and responsible business practices
  2. Improve board and staff diversity
  3. Improve the quality of disclosure and reporting.

Considerations 

Remuneration 

Our voting decisions on remuneration awards and policies are based on careful consideration of the following questions: 

  1. Is the remuneration policy reasonable and simple?
  2. Is remuneration linked to long-term performance and is it helping promote long-term stewardship?
  3. Is the policy likely to result in excessive pay awards?

Boards 

Our voting decisions on boards are based on careful consideration of the following questions: 

  1. Does the board discharge its duties in the long-term interests of the company?
  2. Does the board strive for diversity of experience, skills, thought and opinion?
  3. Does the board have a functioning process to refresh and renew itself?

Auditors 

We recognise all auditing firms are imperfect, and that replacing one with another will not in and of itself result in a higher standard of auditing. We also recognise that long-term relationships may enable auditing firms to gain a good understanding of how companies operate and how they have evolved. However, we believe the risks of over-familiarity and complacency are significant enough that we vote against the appointment of auditors whose tenure exceeds 10 years of continuous service. 

Procedures and process 

  1. For every contentious proposal that comes up for a vote, we aim to engage with the company and seek to better understand the rationale and possible long-term implications of the proposal.
  2. If we decide to vote against a board recommendation, we explain in simple terms the rationale for our decision. This explanation is published on our website.
  3. If we decide to vote against a board recommendation, we explain our decision to the company verbally or in writing or both, and we decide any relevant engagement actions we may want to pursue with the company.
  4. We review our policy guidelines once a year, to stay fresh and to incorporate recent experience.

View our company policies for the Stewart Investors Stewardship and Corporate Engagement Disclosure Statement.

Proxy voting

As active investors and long-term shareholders, we vote on all proposals at annual and extraordinary general meetings. Our decision-making is an inclusive process and every analyst is given the chance to make recommendations.

Investment terms

View our list of investment terms to help you understand the terminology within this document.

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Important Information

This material is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute investment or financial advice and does not take into account any specific investment objectives, financial situation or needs. This is not an offer to provide asset management services, is not a recommendation or an offer or solicitation to buy, hold or sell any security or to execute any agreement for portfolio management or investment advisory services and this material has not been prepared in connection with any such offer. Before making any investment decision you should consider, with the assistance of a financial advisor, your individual investment needs, objectives and financial situation.

We have taken reasonable care to ensure that this material is accurate, current, and complete and fit for its intended purpose and audience as at the date of publication. To the extent this material contains any measurements or data related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, these measurements or data are estimates based on information sourced by the relevant investment team from third parties including portfolio companies and such information may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. No assurance is given or liability accepted regarding the accuracy, validity or completeness of this material and we do not undertake to update it in future if circumstances change.

To the extent this material contains any expression of opinion or forward-looking statements, such opinions and statements are based on assumptions, matters and sources believed to be true and reliable at the time of publication only. This material reflects the views of the individual writers only. Those views may change, may not prove to be valid and may not reflect the views of everyone at First Sentier Investors.

To the extent this material contains any ESG related commitments or targets, such commitments or targets are current as at the date of publication and have been formulated by the relevant investment team in accordance with either internally developed proprietary frameworks or are otherwise based on the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) Paris Aligned Investment Initiative framework. The commitments and targets are based on information and representations made to the relevant investment teams by portfolio companies (which may ultimately prove not be accurate), together with assumptions made by the relevant investment team in relation to future matters such as government policy implementation in ESG and other climate-related areas, enhanced future technology and the actions of portfolio companies (all of which are subject to change over time). As such, achievement of these commitments and targets depend on the ongoing accuracy of such information and representations as well as the realisation of such future matters. Any commitments and targets set out in this material are continuously reviewed by the relevant investment teams and subject to change without notice.

About First Sentier Investors

References to ‘we’, ‘us’ or ‘our’ are references to First Sentier Investors, a global asset management business which is ultimately owned by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group. Certain of our investment teams operate under the trading names FSSA Investment Managers, Stewart Investors, RQI Investors and Igneo Infrastructure Partners, all of which are part of the First Sentier Investors group.

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