Stewardship

We invest for our clients’ portfolios in companies globally and actively target investment in those companies with sound corporate governance practices. Aberdeen is committed to exercising responsible ownership with a conviction that companies adopting best practices in corporate governance will be more successful in their core activities and deliver enhanced returns to shareholders. Aberdeen complies with the principles of the UK Stewardship Code.

Corporate Governance Principles

The Aberdeen Corporate Governance Principles provide a framework for investment analysis, engagement and proxy voting for investee companies worldwide. We recognise our obligation to be involved in monitoring our investee companies and to participate actively in the corporate governance process.

Investment Process

In Aberdeen's active equity business, corporate governance and engagement are key components of the investment process. A review of the corporate governance practices of a potential investee company is part of the initial screening process and an investment will only be made after meeting with the management team. After investing in a company, regular meetings are held with management to discuss strategic, operational and governance matters. Engagement is therefore embedded in the Aberdeen investment process which is reinforced with all voting decisions being taken by the Group's investment managers.

Proxy Voting

Aberdeen endeavours to exercise proxy votes at all shareholder meetings where authorised to so by clients and periodically reports on our proxy voting decisions, engagement activities and findings to clients who request that information. Details of the proxy voting decisions taken at shareholder meetings of investee companies are posted on the website.