Annual General Meetings (AGMs) are meant to be cornerstones of accountability—moments where boards engage transparently with investors, answer difficult questions, and build trust. Yet, in 2025, this tradition is being tested.
According to The Times, a powerful coalition of UK pension funds—representing over £150 billion in assets—has launched a campaign opposing virtual-only AGMs. Their argument is simple but profound: while digital formats are convenient, they risk eroding accountability, dialogue, and investor rights.
Why Investors Are Pushing Back
Virtual-only meetings surged during the pandemic, offering companies lower costs and broader reach. But investors have flagged several concerns:
- Reduced Accountability: Shareholders may be restricted to pre-submitted questions, limiting genuine debate.
- Weakened Engagement: The dynamic of live interaction—reading a room, pressing leaders in person—gets lost.
- Transparency Gaps: The perception (and sometimes reality) of boards using technology to control rather than encourage dialogue.
In short: convenience should not come at the expense of corporate democracy.
The Future is Hybrid, Not Either/Or
The investor backlash doesn’t mean digital tools should be abandoned. Rather, it signals a call for hybrid models that combine the inclusivity of virtual participation with the accountability of in-person engagement.
Hybrid AGMs allow:
✅ Broader participation for global shareholders.
✅ Transparent Q&A sessions both online and in the room.
✅ Cost efficiency without sacrificing scrutiny.
It’s about finding balance—not choosing extremes.
How MPG Helps You Get It Right
At My Premium Governance (MPG), we help clients design hybrid AGM models that prioritize governance, not just efficiency.
Our approach includes:
- Frameworks for hybrid participation that protect shareholder rights.
- Tools for transparent engagement, ensuring all voices are heard.
- Governance-first strategies that strengthen accountability while keeping cost benefits intact.
With DocxChange, our platform also supports secure distribution of AGM documents, resolutions, and board materials—ensuring stakeholders are always informed and engaged.
✅ The debate over AGMs isn’t about technology versus tradition—it’s about trust. Investors are making it clear: governance must evolve, but not at the expense of accountability. With MPG, companies can deliver meetings that are transparent, inclusive, and future-ready.