‘The board should account for material sustainability risks’, says the wealth fund, ‘and social consequences of its products’.

Companies including Netflix and Apple faced proposals on artificial intelligence, with shareholder interest ‘expected to grow’.

In the 2024 AGM season, for the first time in more than a decade, shareholders passed 100% of FTSE 100 management resolutions.

In the US, though, the effects of ‘anti-woke’ are being felt, while proposals related to biodiversity and AI have debuted.

From the 2024 voting figures so far, there are signs that investors may support higher executive pay deals in the UK.

With Tesla’s AGM imminent, proxy advisers Glass Lewis advise shareholders to reject ‘excessive’ pay package for the carmaker’s CEO.

Shareholder proposals in relation to artificial intelligence risks and disclosures will become more ‘prevalent’, warn analysts.

Recent rule changes and the ongoing ESG debate will mean increased complications for most US public companies.

Very few investors use their AGM votes on executive pay as a spur to improve the company’s ESG performance, research shows.

New FRC guidance may affect how investors vote at UK AGMs, so boards should look to build shareholder trust by using their new powers wisely.