The Association of Investment Companies (AIC) has responded to the Law Commission’s Scoping Paper ‘Intermediated securities: who owns your shares?’. The paper explores the advantages and disadvantages of holding investments through intermediaries such as platforms, brokers and banks, and suggests possible reforms.
Ian Sayers, Chief Executive of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC), said: “We welcome the Law Commission’s contribution to this debate and are supportive of its proposals to empower retail investors. The growth of platforms has helped thousands of investors to invest in an efficient and cost-effective way, but it’s important that shareholders can continue to exercise their rights to vote, attend general meetings and receive relevant information. This is vital to good corporate governance and ensures shareholders can have their say.
“We would hope platforms and other intermediaries would want to facilitate these rights without being forced to do so by legislation. This would demonstrate a commitment to high governance standards, shareholder democracy and customer service. We would strongly encourage intermediaries to take further steps in this direction.”
- The Law Commission’s Scoping Paper ‘Intermediated securities: who owns your shares?’ is available here
- To find out more about how investment companies enable investors’ voices to be heard, watch the video ‘Your investment company: having your say’ here
