Shareholder activism is becoming more frequent, sophisticated, and outcome-driven with increasing focus on strategy, capital allocation, ESG performance and board composition. This session will provide an in-depth analysis of how activism and stewardship frameworks evolution in 2026. The panel will discuss:

• The most significant activist campaigns of the past 12 months and the strategies that proved successful;
• The continued rise of global activism and the increasing role of US-based activists in European markets;
• The evolving role of institutional investors under Shareholder Rights Directive II
• What strategies can boards use to engage with shareholders actively and mitigate activism risk.
• Trends in contested director elections, say on pay notes and shareholder proposals;
• How should boards prepare for campaigns