BP and others have been targeted, with US activists looking overseas at companies with comparatively lower valuations.

Report suggests ‘fierce’ market pressures, investor activism and CEO churn affect movement of chief finance officers.

Figures show a steep rise in chief executives moving on in 2024, many prompted by the challenges of AI and investor activism.

Audit committee chairs cite pressure from leaders and investors as a key driver for ESG activity, YouGov research finds.

The fund seeks to push the companies into speeding up their climate transition plans and acting to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

As COP15 in Montréal strives to protect ecosystems, investors are already showing concern about the risks to business of biodiversity loss.

The hedge fund has questioned the adequacy of SSE’s corporate governance and criticised the board’s “notable lack of renewables expertise”.

Stock price falls have put some companies in a vulnerable position, while boards distracted by Covid-19 may not be prepared for activist intervention.

Large shareholders have had the right to challenge executive remuneration in the UK since 2013, but research shows that no pay policies in FTSE 100 companies have been defeated by investor votes since the law was introduced.

The number of global activist investors grew year-on-year in the first half of 2018, while the number of companies targeted around the world rises significantly.