UK Stewardship Code (2020) Disclosure Statement

September 2023
Palliser Capital (UK) Ltd
(“Palliser” / the “Firm”)

Effective from 1 January 2020, the Financial Reporting Council’s (“FRC”) UK Stewardship Code (the “Code”) has been substantially updated to be applicable to a broader range of investment strategies, other than purely listed equity, such as fixed income bonds, real estate and infrastructure. It also reflects the growth of environmental factors, particularly climate change, as well as social and governance factors (together, “ESG”) as material issues for asset managers to consider when making investment decisions and undertaking stewardship.

In the 2020 version, the Code defines stewardship as “the responsible allocation, management and oversight of capital to create long-term value for clients and beneficiaries leading to sustainable benefits for the economy, the environment and society”.

The Principles of the Code

There are twelve Principles of the Code that apply to asset owners and asset managers. These are grouped under four headings:

Purpose and governance

  1. Purpose, strategy and culture
  2. Governance, resources and incentives
  3. Conflicts of interest
  4. Promoting well-functioning markets
  5. Review and assurance

Investment approach

  1. Client and beneficiary needs
  2. Stewardship, investment and ESG integration
  3. Monitoring managers and service providers

Engagement

  1. Engagement
  2. Collaboration
  3. Escalation

Exercising rights and responsibilities

  1. Exercising rights and responsibilities

The FRC requires that firms aiming to be signatories to the Code must produce an annual Stewardship Report explaining how they have applied the Code in the previous 12 months. The FRC will evaluate Reports against an assessment framework and those meeting the reporting expectations will be listed as signatories to the Code.

FCA Regulatory Disclosure on the Stewardship Code

Rule 2.2.3R of the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) Conduct of Business Sourcebook (“COBS”) requires an FCA authorised firm to disclose the nature of its commitment to the FRC’s UK Stewardship Code or, where it does not commit to the code, its alternative investment strategy.

Adherence to the Code is voluntary.

While Palliser generally supports the objectives that underlie the Code, The Firm determines its approach to stewardship on a case by case basis taking into account the best approach to optimising the returns on its investments.

For further details on any of the above information, please contact Jeremy White.