Less Talk, more Action!

That is my message to all those who are following the debate about corporate governance.
While articles in learned journals and any number of conferences and think tanks dabbling in the subject are welcome and may bring some (slow) progress it is time that a more focused approach is pursued.
The real investors are twice removed from any influence in the corporate world - the original agency problem dates back more than two generations when management and ownership of major (listed) corporations became increasingly separated.

During the past few decades a second layer was introduced in the form of the institutionalisation of investment management which means that the actual investor has delegated all supervisory tasks to professional money managers who are supposed to protect his interest. 

The only way that the interests of the real shareholders will be protected is if their fiduciaries in the money management world are motivated enough to put their interest above their own (commercial) interest. 

The top 100, maybe even only the top 50, investment institutions can - if they act together - influence the behaviour of all public corporations in a decisive manner. Given that the same institutions often are the main investors in the 'Private' Equity Industry this part of the economy can also be brought under the umbrella of the same governance rules. 

The lack of appropriate forums to allow input from the real end investors is also a major gap in the governance debate and I will try to foster ideas and initiatives to alleviate and overcome this deficiency. 

There is a lot of work to be done and I hope that all those with good will concentrate their minds on bringing forward actual measures rather then more empty resolutions.
I am looking forward to your comments - or better still join my effort by signing up to my mailing list. Please send me emails only if they relate to aspects of how to cooperate to promote the cause of corporate governance. General comments and suggestions should be posted on the Pro Governance Blog in the interest of transparency and in order to develop a community spirit.
(4-Sept-2013)