Staying a step ahead in the bold new era of shareholder activism

About this episode

The episode discusses the evolving landscape of shareholder activism and its implications for companies and boards.

Record-breaking volumes of activist campaigns, both public and private, are shaking up the investing world as activists flex their muscles, enjoying new voting powers and privileges in the U.S. and abroad. In this episode of J.P. Morgan’s “Making Sense,” Chuka Umunna, global head of Corporate Governance and Sustainable Solutions, is joined by Darren Novak, global head of Shareholder Engagement and M&A Capital Markets, and Lyndon Park, from the U.S. M&A Capital Markets team, to discuss the seismic shifts in shareholder activism. Their conversation covers how institutional investors are adopting activist tactics and how market volatility is fueling opportunistic moves. It also explores how universal proxy cards, SEC guidance, and political scrutiny of proxy advisory firms are changing the game, plus behind-the-scenes battles in Europe, governance reforms in Japan, and other examples from around the world - and much more. Tune in for insights on how companies and boards can anticipate, respond and thrive in the "new era of shareholder activism." This episode was recorded on May 6, 2026. This material was prepared by certain personnel of the investment banking group of…

People in this episode

Host: Chuka Umunna

Guests: Darren Novak, Lyndon Park

Topics covered

• shareholder activism
• institutional investors
• market volatility
• proxy advisory firms
• governance reforms
• activist tactics

Keywords

• activist campaigns
• voting powers
• proxy cards
• institutional investors
• market shifts
• corporate governance

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: J.P. Morgan, SEC

Places: U.S., Europe, Japan

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