Governance watchdogs take fright as ‘zombies’ stalk US boardrooms

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, highlights stories in this newsletter, including Darren Walker’s struggle to secure shareholder support at Ralph Lauren, joining the ranks of “zombie” board members who lack majority backing. This governance issue has sparked concerns among investors about weakening shareholder rights globally, with Vanguard and TRowePrice emphasizing the importance of strong accountability and disclosure. The prevalence of zombie directors in the US, due to plurality board elections, contrasts with stricter standards in other markets, prompting calls to maintain high governance standards to prevent a race to the bottom.

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