ShareAction

ShareAction ShareAction is a London-based charity advocating for responsible investment, corporate accountability, and sustainable finance across the United Kingdom and internationally. The organisation engages with asset managers, pension funds, banks, and listed companies to promote worker rights, climate action, and human rights through shareholder engagement, policy advocacy, and research. ShareAction works alongside trade unions, charities, think tanks, and faith groups to influence corporate behaviour and financial markets.

History

ShareAction originated in 2005 amid growing concerns about corporate social responsibility and investor stewardship following high-profile cases such as the Enron scandal, WorldCom, and debates around the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment. Early activity drew inspiration from campaigns by Friends of the Earth, Amnesty International, and Oxfam that combined public pressure with investor engagement. In the 2010s ShareAction participated in developments around the UK Stewardship Code, the Paris Agreement, and the expansion of environmental, social and governance practices among institutional investors. Influential milestones include collaborations with UNEP Finance Initiative, contributions to consultations by the Financial Reporting Council (United Kingdom), and engagement in public inquiries involving the UK Parliament and the European Parliament on corporate responsibility and pension policy.

Organisation and Governance

ShareAction operates as a registered charity with a board of trustees and executive leadership accountable under Charity Commission for England and Wales regulation. Governance structures reflect practices endorsed by Institute of Directors (IoD), UK Corporate Governance Code principles, and the reporting expectations of the Financial Conduct Authority. Its leadership has included figures with backgrounds at organisations such as Age UK, ActionAid, PIRC (Pensions & Investment Research Consultants), and Civic Exchange. ShareAction collaborates with trade unions including UNISON, Prospect (trade union), and Trades Union Congress on pension fund stewardship, and engages institutional actors such as Legal & General, Aviva Investors, and BlackRock on shareholder engagement. Operational teams cover policy, campaigns, research, stewardship, and communications, drawing advisors from academic institutions like London School of Economics and University of Oxford.

Campaigns and Activities

ShareAction runs campaigns focused on workplace rights, climate risk, and investor stewardship, often aligning with movements such as Occupy Wall Street-era critiques and the global divestment movement. Notable campaigns have targeted occupational pension schemes linked to BT Group, Royal Mail, and large asset managers including Schroders and State Street. Campaign tactics include shareholder resolutions filed at annual general meetings alongside allies like Christian Aid, Greenpeace, and The B Team. ShareAction has promoted initiatives such as the Make My Money Matter movement and supported investor pressure that influenced corporate responses to the Climate Action 100+ initiative. It organises investor workshops, stewardship training with Institutional Shareholder Services, and public mobilisation events similar in profile to advocacy by The Elders and Transparency International.

Research and Publications

ShareAction produces research reports, scorecards, and briefings evaluating investors and companies, drawing methodological precedents from organisations such as MSCI, Sustainalytics, and the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Publications have assessed pension fund stewardship across schemes like the National Employment Savings Trust and company behaviour in sectors including fossil fuel industry, garment manufacturing, and food supply chain companies, with comparative analyses referencing regulatory frameworks such as the EU Shareholder Rights Directive and the UK Modern Slavery Act. Its research has been cited in academic journals and policy papers from institutions including Chatham House, Grantham Research Institute, and the International Monetary Fund. Briefings and toolkits aim to support trustees, campaigners, and journalists from outlets such as The Guardian, Financial Times, and The Economist.

Funding and Partnerships

ShareAction’s funding model comprises philanthropic grants, institutional donations, and project-specific support from foundations and trusts including the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, and international funders like the Ford Foundation and Oak Foundation. It partners operationally with organisations such as Shareholders for Change, Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association, and international networks including Global Compact Network UK and Principles for Responsible Investment. Collaborative projects have received support or endorsements from multilateral and regulatory bodies including the European Commission, United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative, and engagement platforms like Ceres. Governance disclosures align with standards promoted by donor entities and philanthropic advisory groups such as Association of Charitable Foundations.

Category:Charities based in London Category:Environmental organizations Category:Corporate governance