Investor activism is surging, global governance codes are tightening and expectations for transparency have never been higher. Boards can no longer rely on proxy-season engagement alone. They need to anticipate investor sentiment, manage complex registers and tailor their strategies in real time. This was the clear message from our recent Board Agenda webinar, presented in association with Broadridge.

Maria Siano, general manager of corporate governance data and insights at Broadridge, told the panel: “Investor engagement has changed significantly… Technology presents both an opportunity and a challenge—expectations for immediacy and personalisation are higher than ever.”

Her point? Boards that embrace data and AI can move from reactive to proactive, predicting voting behaviour and spotting activism before it becomes confrontational.

For investors, the shift is equally profound. Elena Bignami, head of stewardship at Man Group, highlighted the growing complexity of ESG and AI in voting decisions: “Investors now more than ever are looking to support ESG proposals that require immediate attention… and we’ve seen pro and anti-ESG investors unite over concerns around AI.”

Trust and tech

Meanwhile, inside the boardroom, the challenge is balancing technology with trust. Harpreet Sagoo, general counsel and company secretary at global consultancy Ricardo PLC, warned: “Tools won’t replace the human element. The data helps provide the right story, but ultimately, you need that face-to-face engagement.”

The conversation explored risks too—bias in AI models, governance gaps, and the skills boards need to interpret complex analytics. As Maria Siano reminded us: “AI can amplify human potential, but it certainly does not replace human oversight.”

Investor engagement is becoming faster, smarter and more personalised. But it’s also becoming more demanding. Boards must navigate activism, global registers, and regulatory complexity, while maintaining trust and transparency.

Watch the full 36-minute webinar on demand and hear our experts reveal how boards can turn investor engagement into strategic value.