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Leiden Oxford Programme Restructuring Corporate Governance: The New European Agenda. Which Model Works Better? Contrasting Anglo-American and European Models. Guy R Jubb Investment Director, Head of Corporate Governance Standard Life Investments. Oxford 4 March 2005.
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Leiden Oxford Programme Restructuring Corporate Governance: The New European Agenda Which Model Works Better? Contrasting Anglo-American and European Models Guy R Jubb Investment Director, Head of Corporate Governance Standard Life Investments Oxford 4 March 2005
The case of the fatal flaw • The myths of models • does the Anglo-American model exist? • does the European model exist? • Institutional investors: pivotal players • the gate-keepers of the governance chain • different strokes for different investors • Engagement: the key to the codes • contrasting engagement styles Anglo/American/European • role of representative bodies “There is no such thing as the Anglo-American model”
The myths of models • Models are a myriad of complex chains • basic governance chain • complex governance chain • different chains in different jurisdictions • different chains in the same jurisdiction • Chains have same beginning and same end • you and me: are we the weakest link? • shareholder associations • Governance DNA • each company has a unique governance DNA • DNA determines culture and style • DNA chain only as strong as weakest link “We are all part of the DNA”
Institutional investors: pivotal players • Policy engagement and corporate engagement • lobbying on policy: government, media • proactive corporate engagement • reactive corporate engagement • Touch and twist the chain • US: litigious, confrontational eg Walt Disney • UK: influential pressure points eg remuneration • Europe: friends of the family eg Telecom Italia • Going global brings challenges • influence diluted • co-ordination difficult • cost and scale • playing away from home • US v Europe v UK “Institutional investors can control the chain”
Engagement: the key to the codes (1) • Comply and explain • UK – generally accepted • Europe – gaining momentum • US – law and regulation • Good communication aligns chains • UK: governance communication channels now established • US: regulation FD is a big barrier • Europe: breaking the ice “Policy makers should pay much more attention to the communicative aspects of corporate governance”
Engagement: the key to the codes (2) • Representative bodies: strength or weakness? • US: CII, NACD, Conference Board • UK: ABI, NAPF, Corporate Governance Forum • Europe: Brussels focus, Private investor bodies • It takes two to tango • attitudes need to be in tune • matchmakers wanted • the tone from the top “Policy makers should pay much more attention to the communicative aspects of corporate governance”
Oxford, we had a problem • Governance chains are the reality • governance models are a myth • Investors not companies should control the chains • spotlight moving down the chain • Policy-makers must be communication catalysts • policymakers can be pacemakers “Oxford, we have a solution”
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