Hermes statement on WPP AGM

Large bridge surrounded by fog against the backdrop of the city

Hans-Christoph Hirt, Head of Hermes EOS at Hermes Investment Management, comments on today’s WPP AGM. 1. Succession planning We welcome the chair’s recognition of investor concerns regarding the company’s preparedness for succession. Sir Martin Sorrell, WPP’s CEO and founder, has created a great deal of value since taking over as Chief Executive of the company […]

Hermes responds to FCA Asset Management Market Study

City at sunset

Hermes welcomes the publication of the FCA’s Asset Management Market Study. The UK is a global leader in asset management, and the industry is an important source of growth in the UK economy. But it needs to change; investors need transparency, responsibility and simplicity. The FCA has observed that the asset management industry is perhaps […]

Hermes comments on the Nissan AGM

People at the meeting

Ahead of the Nissan AGM, Hans-Christoph Hirt, Head of Hermes EOS at Hermes Investment Management, assesses the company’s progress and highlights areas for improvement. Succession Planning There is no question about how successfully Carlos Ghosn, Nissan’s current chair, has turned the business around since he assumed the position of chief operating officer (COO) in 1999, […]

Hermes responds to the UK General Election results

View of the glass roof of the building

Saker Nusseibeh, Chief Executive With hindsight, the decision of Prime Minister May to hold a snap election backfired spectacularly. A populist surge, similar to what we saw in the UK Referendum or the US and French elections, saw voters respond to Mr McDonnell’s economic policies, and to Mr Corbyn’s authenticity. This combined with growing doubt […]

Five years of sustained growth highlighted in new annual report

Outline of the city of London in the sun

Hermes Investment Management (Hermes) the £30.6 billion manager committed to delivering holistic returns – outcomes for its clients that go far beyond the financial, has today published its Annual Report and Financial Statements highlighting five years of sustained growth in third-party assets under management and assets for which the firm provides stewardship services. The reports […]

New research shows relationship between ESG factors and credit spreads

Silhouettes of people against the clouds

Hermes Investment Management, the £28.5 billion manager committed to delivering holistic returns – outcomes for its clients that go far beyond the financial, has today published research by its Credit and stewardship teams demonstrating the impact of ESG (environmental, social and governance) factors on credit spreads, and developed a pricing model to capture the influence […]

Governance issues to be highlighted at Rio Tinto AGM

Corta Atalaya opencast mine, Huelva, Andalusia, Spain

Hermes intends to vote against Chairman due to lack of diversity progress Joins investor group in calling for further disclosure on climate risks Ahead of the Rio Tinto AGM tomorrow, Bruce Duguid, Stewardship Director within the Hermes EOS team at Hermes Investment Management, highlights two areas of focus in our engagement with the company.   Environmental […]

Hermes Responds To The Triggering Of Article 50

Great bridge over the lake

Saker Nusseibeh, Chief Executive: One of the main flaws of this entire process, indulged in by both sides, is to talk as if the effects of Brexit would be instantaneous or clear-cut once it is triggered. To restate the obvious, Brexit is a long, complicated and arduous set of negotiations, of which the commercial outcomes […]

Hermes’ response to the UK Corporate Governance Reform Green Paper

Great bridge over the lake

Hermes Investment Management has responded to the UK government’s green paper on corporate governance reform. Our response is available to read here: BEIS Corporate Governance Green Paper – Hermes response  Share:

Hermes calls for enhanced corporate governance regime for private infrastructure assets

Bridge over the river

Hermes Investment Management (Hermes), the £28.6 billion manager focused on delivering superior, sustainable, risk adjusted returns to its clients – responsibly, is calling for an enhanced corporate governance code for private infrastructure assets. The code would provide essential social services to help close the governance gap and ensure consistent and optimal outcomes for investors, employees […]