Vanguard unveils pilot scheme to increase investors' influence on voting policies

Vanguard is trialling a scheme to give its UK investors a greater say in shareholder votes.

The asset manager has launched the Vanguard UK Investor Choice Pilot, enabling eligible professional investors in four Vanguard UK-domiciled equity index mutual funds to select from four proxy voting policies.

Throughout the duration of pilot, these policies will direct how investors’ share of participating funds will vote on important shareholder matters.

The funds participating in the pilot are:

• Vanguard ESG Screened Developed World All Cap Equity Index Fund (UK)
• Vanguard FTSE Global All Cap Index Fund
• Vanguard FTSE UK All Share Index Unit Trust
• Vanguard US Equity Index Fund

Jon Cleborne, head of Europe at Vanguard, said: “This is about giving UK investors the chance to have more of a voice. Many clients have expressed the desire to have more of a say on shareholder votes and the pilot reflects our commitment to meeting our clients’ needs.”

Vanguard will contact eligible clients directly to discuss requirements for participation.