AGM 2022 - business as usual or time for a reset?

IN just two years, the pandemic has drastically changed the complexion of annual general meetings (AGMs). In 2020 when virtual AGMs first emerged, necessitated by the pandemic, companies were preoccupied more with meeting the new requirements and less on shareholders' needs. 2021 saw more efforts invested into engaging shareholders, but while there was more preparedness in content and communication, most companies still gravitated to an efficient virtual meeting.

What, then, does AGM 2022 have in store for companies and shareholders? After two years of muted AGMs, shareholders are likely to go into this season with renewed vigour. Boards and management should expect more sophisticated questions - and some could be incisive and thought-provoking. With shareholders clearly wanting more out of this year's AGM, how can boards conduct the session in a way that reassures and inspires confidence among their shareholders?

The answer may lie in innovatively changing the way boards engage with shareholders to build further trust. Whether it is showcasing the company's past-year performance or telling an exciting story of the future, boards can reframe AGM 2022 to resonate with shareholders in three key ways.